[C320-list] Dinghy Propulsion

[Tom Grass]

Thanks Ron for your comments.  I've always liked Suzuki O/Bs.  From what
you are saying ... looks like a 6 to 8 HP O/B would get the job done.

Tom Grass
Bucket List

On Mon, Nov 16, 2020 at 11:25 AM RONALD HODEL <ronandgail2 at me.com> wrote:

> We have a 9’ Achilles with inflatable floor. We have a 6hp Suzuki which
> moves us very well and can even plane in some conditions. (Both Gail and I
> are ‘smaller people’. It easily planes with one on board.) We love our
> Suzuki - I drain the gas out of the carb before storing it and it starts
> 2nd pull every time - either for myself or Gail. We store it on the
> outboard mount on the stern pulpit (covered of course) and we use a crane
> to lower it - Gail on deck and myself in the dinghy. If I were going
> cruising again (and hopefully we will after COVID) I’d keep the 6hp
> (although it is a bit small honestly, but it’s light so there’s that and
> besides, that’s what the suggested hp for that particular raft is) and I’d
> get an electric motor to cruise around anchorages, etc. But IMHO being able
> to plane is important if you’re out cruising. It gives you access to places
> you would otherwise not have.
>
> Ron Hodel
> S/V Lokomaikai #1070
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Nov 16, 2020, at 9:02 AM, 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
>