DINGHY POWER!

[Keegan]

What size outboard motor do you use for your dinghy?

[rebel heart]

8 person inflattable, 5hp gamefisher 4 stroke I got at the swap meet brand new for $150.

Before that I had a 2.5 hp 2 stroke johnson; it worked, but was a bit slow going if the wind and waves were against you.

There are some people around with 10hp+, but that's really not necassary for basic dinghy duties. Maybe if you have to go around the harbors for business or some such.

[S/V Antares]

I have traded in my 6hp Tohatsu 2 stroke for 3.5 hp 4 stroke. Runs like a watch. The reason for going down in HP was the weight. The 4 strokes are great but HEAVY! It is a bit slow (West Hard bottom 8.5 ft dink). Was this a bad idea?

[SkiprJohn]

I use oars or 4hp Johnson 2-stroke or a 27lb thrust MinnKota depending on the weather outlook.
JohnL

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

I use oars or 4hp Johnson 2-stroke or a 27lb thrust MinnKota depending on the weather outlook.
JohnL

That's a good rig. I've thought of using the electrics before; I see them in people's dinks sometimes with a battery in there too. Can you expand a bit on when that's useful, whether it's worth having both (gas and electric), and how you deal with the battery situation?

[rebel heart]

I should add to this as well, that you obviously should always keep an oar in the boat. Maybe not a fullize if you really trust your engine, but one of those little 30" "stubby" models; it's a heck of a lot better than your hands.

[sv_makai]

Started with a 5 hp 4 cyl nissan/tohastu. Upgraded to 15 hp 2 cyl merc when we bought a new Caribe c10x in Ven.

Want a 20 hp 4 cyl. Love the speed, hualing power for tows, diving and general long distance runs.

[Fishspearit]

If you're only using your dinghy to go from boat to shore and back, then the little putt putt motors are ok. We found out real quickly, like Makai, that if you want to dive and do much exploring then you need to plane. Particularly in places like the bahamas, you've often got to cover a lot of ground. Those beautiful beaches that we all picture in our heads, they usually make bad anchorages because the sand was created by constant swell and wave action. You often need to anchor somewhere else and dinghy to them.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Rebel,
The little MinnKota works really great. Very light and quiet and you don't need a big battery for short trips to and from shore in fair weather. The battery can be charged on an extra little solar panel or in your big boat system with a couple of leads to wherever you'd like to stow it on your big boat.
For more severe weather I like the Johnson.
Regards,
JohnL

[Microship]

I'm just in the process of buying one of these:

Gig Harbor Boatworks 10' Navigator Dinghy

With forward-facing rowing, sail rig, and kick-up rudder, it should be a fun play-boat on its own as well as a capable tender for the mothership. Anyone have experience with them? I visited the builder today and was impressed.

I haven't given the final go-ahead yet, pending measurement of my davits and double-checking to be sure there will be no interference with the stowed Sail-o-Mat 601 (on passage, the dink will be inverted on the foredeck, but "around town" I'll either tow or stow on arch-davits).

Oh, since this thread is about power... I'm a bit tempted by their electric thruster option, nicely integrated with the rudder, but can add that later. Too much sticker shock already.

Cheers,
Steve

[Strygaldwir]

I have a 10 hp, but, 15 would probably be idea. With a fully loaded dinghy, I have difficulty getting up onplane. 15 would probably resolve the issue.

[Lynx]

A lot depends on your boat, a small shaol draft will get you closer than the deeper keel so you will not need as big of motor. Also the 2 hp is light enough so you can take it off the dinghy by hand.

It is supprising how many cruisers say that going 5 mph is just fine.

[Jackstee]

Its amazing
So many people talking about 10 - 15 hp.

My main engine is only 9.9 qnd dingy 2

Steve

[Keegan]

Originally Posted by Jackstee

Its amazing
So many people talking about 10 - 15 hp.

My main engine is only 9.9 qnd dingy 2

Steve

I have a 15hp and love it. It is fast and allows you plane well with a hard bottom inflatable. There is no way I would have an outboard that heavy though if I did not have davits and the ability to winch the dinghy and motor up out of the water easily.


Keegan

[Lancerbye]

I have a Honda 8hp 4 Stroke which hardly ever gets used. Sits nicely covered on an inside transom mount. At least it was there last time I looked. I prefer the oars for just going ashore. Plan to trade it in, even though it is just like new, for a two stroke of the same horse power, lighter to handle and I'm not get younger, which is why I use the oars. Need the exercise.