upgrade costs?

[douglas]

I'm considering the purchase of a 1984 25+ ericson. It has a 1 cylinder diesel Yanmar I think 8 or 9 HP engine, salt water cooled (boat kept in salt water year round). The diesel people I talked to say because raw water cooled the engine is reaching end of serviceable lifespan, still runs OK so might have a few cheap years in it. I don't want to get into a boat with a bunch of expensive repairs/needs coming up soon, so I want to budget in new diesel or switching to an outboard.
Question is: in florida, anyone have a general idea of replacing the yanmar with new 1 cylinder (engine and having it installed), compared to placing an outboard bracket and switching it to an outboard, and HP prefered if that is done and approx. what a new outboard would cost? (and I assume I'll have to get rid of the prop shaft and have the hole sealed?).

Thanks
Doug

 

[douglas]

forgot to also ask: boat has wheel steering. Was this an aftersale addition to the boat that can be undone? I prefer a tiller. It looks like there's a stainless plate a bit behind the pedestal steering but I don't know if that's for an emergency tiller or where the original one was located...anyone know?
Thanks

 

[Seth]

Tiller yes, wheel no

You should be able to remove all the stuff for the wheel, and find a tiller head and tiller without too much trouble.
Good idea, and good luck!