Help! How to remove engine from Chris-craft Catalina 381

[RunningRabbit]

On the off chance someone here has (or has had) a Chris-craft Catalina 381, I am trying to figure out how to remove an engine. The boat I am considering buying has one dead engine, and previous owner could not get it off the boat. I have seen one other mention online of it not fitting through any hatches for removal. Many other posts regarding repowering on that model, but no mention any issue regarding removal, so I'm a bit confused. I am trying to determine the difficulty and cost of the project prior to buying the problem... I would have thought someone in the Catalina Club would readily know the answer, but if they do, they are keeping it secret!

Any tips or information greatly appreciated!

[S/V_Surya]

I did a search for that boat and saw some pictures of the engine room. I must say I could not tell from those pics how to get the engine out. So I will just say, it will probably have to come out in pieces. Remove head, starter etc. Check with local boat yard.

[RunningRabbit]

Indeed, it increasingly looks like disassembly is the only option, which means any new or rebuilt will have to go in the same way... *sigh* I have to give some thought to whether the rest of the package is worth being a dock queen until I can swing the engine work.

[ranger58sb]

Not familiar with that boat, but it's not uncommon to cut a larger deck hatch, and then rebuild that after engine replacement.

-Chris

[Sailmonkey]

Most repowers on boats like that involve stripping the salon of furnishings, cutting an access hatch, pulling and replacing the engine, and re-fitting the hatch.