Re: [Cal_Boats] Atomic 4 engine woes Cal 3-30, outboard choices(Sabine)

All I can say is if you have to mount the outboard on one side, choose the side that would counterbalance the prop walk. Disadvantage of OB is prop coming out when you hobby horse in steep swells. You just have to throttle down, or, of course, if you have wind, just sail. If you over rev your motor you risk ripping apart the rubber bushing on the prop hub when the prop goes back in the water, etc. So I've learned to be cautious. I like lighter engines, but getting at an engine mounted on the transom of a 3-30 is a stretch, so I don't know if you are really going to be taking it out all that often, and any four cycle is going to be heavy-er. I don't take my two cycle four horse Suzuki off the scissors mount much anymore, but I do have some ropes which I use, going to either side of the transom, which I use to squeeze the scissors mount and pull the motor up and in as much as possible. The 15 hp is going to do a better job of long distance motoring if you don't fix your Atomic. But, look into fixing the Atomic if at all possible, they are pretty fixable, and one of my friends put in a used one and had good success, in his 28 footer. Jerry, Cal 24 Shpritz --- On Fri, 2/6/09, Sabine Faulhaber <su… [at] yahoo.co.uk> wrote: From: Sabine Faulhaber <su… [at] yahoo.co.uk> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Atomic 4 engine woes Cal 3-30, outboard choices To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, February 6, 2009, 11:45 PM Hello fellow Cal-listers, have not been very active on the list lately other than reading other peoples' postings due to many other commitments but wanted to get some input from more experienced folks... Recently I have been having some engine woes with the Atomic 4 on my Cal 3-30 - I will spare you the details and just remark that it is finally starting to show its age... So I had to start thinking of alternate propulsion strategies. Since a diesel re-power is currently not within budgetary reach I have been thinking about a transom mounted outboard for the interim. I am currently trying to make up my mind between a reasonably light-weight 6HP 4 stroke (<60 #s) that would live part of the time in the lazarette and come out when needed - and the other alternative being a used (2000 model) 15HP 4stroke (on the far side of 100 #s, with electric start). Anybody have any input on the 2 choices? Also looking for some thoughts on the mounting part - somewhat less than straightforward due to the rudder position on the Cal 3-30 (not your typical Cal spade rudder unfortunately. ...) Any knowledgeable input appreciated, Sabine Cal 3-30 "Estrella" formerly also Cal 1-25 "Night and Day" (just found a very appreciative first time boat-owner, who I will be passing her on to on March 1st)