[C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

[Greg Flanagan]

Hi Tom,

I recommend you look into electric options. Easy start, light, and no need to carry gasoline. I have a Torqueedo Travel 1103C (~ 3 hp). It will bring our AB 9’ Ultralight to plane but uses electric power rapidly at this speed (4.5 knots). The Torqueedo Cruise equals ~5 hp if you think you really need it. There are also other new brands on, or coming on, the market. 

Cheers,

Greg
Hoop Dancer #1076
Sidney, BC

> On Nov 16, 2020, at 9:17 AM, Tom Grass <tgrass462 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks Graeme - the HP Limitation on our current West Marine 310 RIB is 10
> HP. The 2 1/2 HP motor currently in use came from our previous dinghy -
> a home made 8' Eastport Pram with a max hp rating of 3.0.
> 
> Tom Grass
> 
> On Mon, Nov 16, 2020 at 11:07 AM 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
> >
> >