Westerly Centaur - outboard

[tarik]

Good evening all,



Recently taken possession of lovely Centaur. The inboard engine has seen better days, what HP does the Team recommend for an outboard ?


All answered gratefully received.


David

 

[elton]

Good evening all,



Recently taken possession of lovely Centaur. The inboard engine has seen better days, what HP does the Team recommend for an outboard ?


All answered gratefully received.


David

I think you'll find this thread of interest: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?393933-6hp-Tohatsu-3-5-tonne-Centaur-speed-through-flat-water&highlight=outboard

 

[tarik]

Elton,


Very many thanks for your response - very interesting.


David

 

[Tranona]

An outboard is not ideal for a Centaur except as an emergency or temporary arrangement. You need at least a 10 hp or 15hp long shaft, which s big, heavy, thirsty and upsets the balance of the boat being hung out on the back. one of the key features of the Centaur was its effective auxilliary power provided by the inboard. Now one of the negative features as if the engine is no good the boat is pretty useless and worthless.

 

[Laundryman]

An outboard is not ideal for a Centaur except as an emergency or temporary arrangement. You need at least a 10 hp or 15hp long shaft, which s big, heavy, thirsty and upsets the balance of the boat being hung out on the back. one of the key features of the Centaur was its effective auxilliary power provided by the inboard. Now one of the negative features as if the engine is no good the boat is pretty useless and worthless.

Unusually harsh for you Mr Tranona. Although you are right in your advice I think that, 'worth considerably less' would sound better. I think it also depends on your sailing plans as to whether the outboard is ideal or not. If you are planning a major cruise, forget it. If you already have access to a suitable outboard, or if you are not venturing too far, going for day sails or just using the engine in and out of the marina, you will be fine. I had a 15hp Mariner on the back of my Westerly 28 when the inboard failed and it was excellent. Make sure you have a substantial bracket, they weigh 50kg! Now for the negative comment....It was nicked off the back of the boat. Be warned.

 

[doug748]

Good evening all,



Recently taken possession of lovely Centaur. The inboard engine has seen better days, what HP does the Team recommend for an outboard ?


All answered gratefully received.


David

I don't know if this clip came up on the other link:

Courtesy of D Winter Keep Turning Left, who will no doubt be along at some point to speak for himself

 

[Fantasie 19]

Good evening all,



Recently taken possession of lovely Centaur. The inboard engine has seen better days, what HP does the Team recommend for an outboard ?


All answered gratefully received.


David

I'd seek out fellow forumite Dylan Winter as he has some experience in this area... I seem to remember he did some trials in Chichester Harbour but damned if I can find the post or the film....

Post Edit - well done doug748

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

A 6hp four stroke long shaft will be adequate for most conditions. Any bigger than 6 hp are heavy and thirsty.

 

[Tranona]

Unusually harsh for you Mr Tranona. Although you are right in your advice I think that, 'worth considerably less' would sound better.

As Dylan has demonstrated a decent Centaur with a functioning engine can be bought for less than £5k - even less with an original Volvo. Therefore one without a sensible auxiliary inboard is likely to be worth substantially less.

If you already have the boat and the engine is past it, fitting an outboard is one way of eeking out a little bit more life from the boat, but as you say may well restrict the kind of sailing you do. So the worthless bit applies more to buying/selling rather than the worth to an existing owner.