[C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

[kskis at aol.com]

If you have already experienced limits of under-power, I would take whatever the max hp is posted for your dinghy.  Mercury has a sweet 15hp with fuel injection only 99lb vs 84lbs for the 9.9.  Neil Kornblatt  Harmony #973


-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Sent: Mon, Nov 16, 2020 1:29 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

West Marina RIB
Tohatsu 9.9
More than enough power to plane two adults without a dolfin. 
We always tow it with the engine on and raised. 


Best Regards,
Chris Burti
Commitment #867

> On Nov 16, 2020, at 12:22 PM, Chris Nichols <cinichols at btinternet.com> wrote:
> 
> 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
>> 
>