[C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

[Tom Grass]

Currently Bucket List has a 2 1/2 HP Mercury 4 Cycle Outboard motor on our
West Marine 310 RIB - which we frequently tow behind our Catalina 320 with
the motor raised..     This motor is fine for cruising back and forth in
Covered Portage anchorage  in the North Channel (no wind) - BUT when doing
the LOOP we were unable to moor at the 79th Street marina in NYC - our
little motor could NOT buck the current in the Hudson.  It also  is too
small for the long distance dinghy trips required in the Bahamas..

We are thinking of repowering the dinghy in 2021.  We are considering
either a Mercury OR Tohatsu 8.0 HP or 9.9 HP; 15" shaft length and manual
start.

Questions:

Recommendations on Brand?  Tohatsu, Mercury, Yamaha, Honda, etc.

Recommendations on HP?  Can we plane with 8 HP (two adults aboard)?
Could we plane with a 5 HP or 6 HP?

Motor Handling?  How do you lift the motor on and off the dinghy?  Do you
use a special motor lift?  A halyard off the mast?  A line from the Boom?
Note - Bucket List does NOT have dinghy davits installed;  When not pulling
the dinghy we keep the dinghy (without motor) secured to the transom with a
dinghy davit net.

Motor Storage?  Do you lay your dinghy motor down on deck?  Do you hang it
off the stern rail seat on a motor mount?  Other?

Dinghy Motor Starting - Do any of you have electric starters on your dinghy
motor?  We are all getting  older - is a pull starter still viable?  My
wife especially is concerned about this.

Thanks for your help.

Tom & Tracy Grass
S/V Bucket List
2008 Catalina 320 MK II
#1135