Hopefully some of you owners can help me out here.

I'm considering buying a GK24 with a good sail wardrobe in the near future. It is currently reduced in price due to a cracked engine block, which is what most of my questions are about.

How easy is it to replace an inboard engine - is it worth my while even? I don't mind a reconditioned engine or second hand one.
Secondly, I may be able to get this one rebuilt - how easy is it to get a 12hp diesel (Kubota) in and out of a GK24?
Thirdly, would I be better off ditching the inboard and strapping an outboard to the transom?

Other questions are about cruising (bear in mind I haven't seen the boat in the flesh yet). How do people find the low headroom while cruising. I'm also considering an Eygthene 24 which I think has more vertical space inside (though it may not be as beamy)

Thanks for any help,

Eoin

Any total engine failure costs a significant part of the cost of the boat. If you have a limited budget you must have a source of cheap inboard engines eg beaulieu jumble for £500, otherwise you will need to chuck the inboard and get an outboard.

Or more realistically increase the budget to include the about £4k for a new engine replacement and end up with a much better cruising boat. On Forethought, the selling point was a working inboard diesel engine as a complete new suit of sails cost less than a new engine.
I didnt care that it had the original knackered sails.
The headroom can be an issue although the use of climber's style body jambs against the deckhead can permit e.g. cooking underway.

A boat with an inboard will score highly over an outboard for cruising as you will have at least a 35 amp alternator charging batteries, and the prop doesnt break free of the water until you try stupid manouevers like reversing into two foot waves , which would probably swamp the outboard.

The engine will weigh about the same as a large adult. Using the mainsheet and main halyard to support the boom will work, but you will need port and starboard guide ropes as the boat will heel a lot when the engine swings on the boom.