[C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

[Chris Nichols]

We have a Mercury 320 rib that we ordinary tow with engine on (naughty I know). Engine is mercury 5hp 2cyl 2 stroke and is just enough to get planing with 2 aboard. 

We do have Davits but rarely use them due to weight. 

Doing it over I’d find a lighter rib eg hyfield and keep the motor which is great (and light for the power). 

Chris

> On 16 Nov 2020, at 17:07, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> 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
>