[C320-list] Zodiac

[Jeffrey Hare]

Hi Jeff,

   You know, the davits only take about an hour to install, and with two
simple clips will hoist and drop the dinghy, motor and all in seconds.  6:1
purchase makes it feel like the whole thing weighs 10lbs. 

   It's so easy, that you'll take the dinghy everywhere and won't think
twice about dropping it to go tool around.  If you have to handle the motor
every time you want to go somewhere, that'll get old pretty fast.  I know.
We used to do it, and for the most part, we just left the dinghy behind
because of the hassle.

Just a thought.
-JeffH

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Church [mailto:jjemail at comcast.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 8:20 PM
To: C320
Subject: [C320-list] Zodiac

Greetings,

I'm going to purchase an 8.5 foot Zodiac inflatable and I'm wondering how
small a motor I can use. I'll mainly use the zodiac when we go cruising Lake
Michigan and need to transport the 2 of us around an anchorage. I don't
intend to bother with davits or a crane. 

I've got a few shoulder problems and I don't look forward to lifting a heavy
motor off the dinghy transom and up to the stern perch. Anything much
heavier than 40 pounds will probably be a bit uncomfortable, but I'm
concerned that the smaller motors won't have enough power. A new 2 hp motor
is around 27 lbs, 4 hp motors weigh about 55 pounds.

Do any of you use a 2 horse motor on an 8 foot zodiac? Is it strong enough
to push through some wind and chop in an anchorage, or do I really need a
3.5 or 4 horse to do the job? What minimum horsepower would you recommend?

The local Zodiac dealer has a 1996 Johnson 4 hp 2-cycle for sale. He wants
$495 for it. I think it weighs 38 pounds. That puts it at about the same
weight as a new 4-cycle 2.5 to 3.5 hp motor. It doesn't have a reverse gear,
but that seems to be fairly common in motors that are under 5 hp. Maybe this
motor would be a good choice? 

Thanks and Happy Holidays

JeffC