Hi,

Thought I'd contribute to the on-topic stuff here...

Last night, put down a cheque for $4500CDN as deposit on a Shiny New
Universal M25XPB and matching Campbell Sailor 14x10 prop (dealer suggested 14x9,
but others varied from 14x10 to 14x12 to 15x11 - I'm guessing he doesn't want me
to load down the new engine).

On Thursday, I pulled the old engine (it was a Good Engine...sniff!) and it's
now sitting on the galley sole on 2x8's. I'm cutting the tops off the engine
stringers to check for rot - only found a bit at the holes so far.

Also looks like I'm in for a new exhaust system. The dealer didn't like the
way Catalina did it, and after he showed me the Universal Way, I'm tempted to
agree with him. For instance, there's no anti-siphon loop in the raw-water hose
in the Catalina installation.

So now...we wait (and mess with the stringers and exhaust...). New engine
will arrive in about 3-4 weeks. Total cost including new prop and 14.5% taxes,
less $1500 for the old engine: $8851.63CDN (for Harry: that's about $7K US)

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - currently engine-less