[C320-list] Zodiac

[Chris Burti]

I have a 2.5 hp 4-stroke Yamaha on our 10' Zodiac. No problem, plenty of 'power' for wind and current, just not much speed. Never found much need for speed when sailing anyway so...
 
Chris Burti
"Commitment"
Catalina 320, #867, 
Farmville, NC


----- Original Message ----
From: Jeff Church <jjemail at comcast.net>
To: catalina at thehares.com; C320-List <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 9:40:56 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac


Thanks guys.

Sounds like one for and one against the smaller motor. I'll check onlineoutboards.

As to the davits, I only take 1 or 2 cruises a season where I might anchor out, so the dinghy will sit in my slip most of the summer. Davits are convenient, but I don't need them very often and would prefer to avoid the clutter on the transom. Around here we usually just tow the dinghy behind the boat or maybe run it's bow up onto the swim platform in rougher weather.

If the davits were easily removable I might consider them.

JeffC
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeffrey Hare 
  To: 'C320-List' 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 8:22 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac


  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

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