[C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

[Tom Grass]

Doug,  Thanks for your response.  We clicked on your link for Garhauer and
will be talking to them tomorrow.

Tom Grass
Bucket List

On Mon, Nov 16, 2020 at 11:27 AM Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:

> I mostly sail the Chesapeake, so I will stay away from motor "type" and
> brand recommendations, especially in light of your question about the
> Bahamas. However, I'd like to add my two cents regarding lifting/stowing,
> etc.
>
> Generally, we do not ever tow our dinghy with the outboard on. Too many
> possibilities for a bad outcome. We were fortunate that the previous owners
> of our boat had installed a Garhauer outboard motor hoist. Not sure if it's
> exactly the model we have, but it's close... Here's a link:
> https://www.garhauermarine.com/lifting-davit-engine-hoist-ld-6-1-short.html
>
> We also have the following on our stern rail - Starboard side:
>
> https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--rail-mount-outboard-bracket--8232381?recordNum=2
>
> We also have a lifting strap installed on the outboard which enables us to
> lift the outboard in a vertical orientation. Very handy. Easily removable
> when you need to service the outboard.
>
> With one person on the dinghy to guide the outboard, it's very easy to
> lower the outboard into place with the 6-1 purchase on the block system.
> Usually, my wife lowers the outboard and I guide it to the transom and
> attach it to the dinghy. It is a 2 person operation to do the transfer. One
> to operate the crane, the other to guide the motor so it doesn't swing
> around and hit anything.
>
> The only manual lifting is when transferring the weight of the motor from
> the rail mount to hang by the block system (and vice versa when stowing the
> outboard. We worked it out. Not bad at all.
>
> I have a Tohatsu 6HP (4 stroke) and it fits on the stern rail nicely. I
> don't know how heavy of a motor you could hang on the C320 rail,  but ours
> has been riding there for 6 seasons and we've had no problems with the rail
> holding the weight. Just as strong as the day we bought her.
>
> As for ease of starting, adding a battery and electric start would make
> your dinghy deployment more complex due to lugging and securing a heavy
> battery as well. I'd like to hear from others on that. My outboard, being
> relatively new and well maintained, usually starts on the first or second
> pull, though it doesn't live as hard of a life as someone who cruising full
> time.
>
>
> --
> Doug Treff
> doug at treff.us
>
> On Mon, Nov 16, 2020, at 12:02 PM, Tom Grass 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
> >
>