[C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

[Graeme Clark]

Tom

I cant help with most of your questions but worth noting that our own dinghy has a maximum HP limitation on it. I dont know why and I dont know what happens if you exceed that but you may wish to consider a new dinghy as well as a new motor?

Graeme

> On 16 Nov 2020, at 17:02, Tom Grass <tgrass462 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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