Your boat is an 82 so you may have the same engine as I have a Universal 5411.
This engine is paired with a prop with a very coarse pitch. What this means is the prop turns relatively slowly for the speed the boat moves. The issue with this is that even a small number of barnacles on the prop will ruin the prop efficiency. It is very easy to scrape the prop you need a scraper, gloves (barnacles are sharp) and swim suit (wet suit if it is cold). You can do the job by feel alone and not even have to put your head under water. I attach a lanyard to the scraper so I don't loose it too. I've found a clean prop makes the backing up issue much easier to deal with. I think the coarse pitch on the prop makes the walk worse for the 5411 than for some other engines. I noticed quite a change when I swapped engines a few years ago. Mark Tamblyn ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 11:26 AM To: [email protected] Subject: catalina27-talk: New Used Boat I recently purchased a 1982 Catalina 27 with a universal diesel engine and pedestal steering. I have 2 major questions that maybe some one can help me with. #1 Once started, the engine runs great however, it will not start on its own. The batteries are new and the starter seems to crank strong. We need to give it a shot of starting spray each time we need to get her started and the engine roars to life. Common sense tells me this in not normal. Has any one had this issue? Are there any suggestions as to what may be wrong? #2 We are in a marina and I am accustom to our previous 22' boat with an out board. It was easily maneuvered and backed out of the slip. I don't even have to back out of a slip with the new boat I just need to back out 25 to 30 yards to open water. Here lies the problem. The boat seems to be very uncontrollable in reverse. Are there some guidelines to backing up without taking out half of the marina?? ________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000437> .
