|
I started out with a Minn Kota trolling motor with 17lbs of thrust on my 8' Walker Bay knockoff dinghy. This worked great for me when I was alone (even with gear), but it was a bit pokey when I was shuttling myself, the Admiral and our gear (beer) out to the boat. I found a Motor Guide 28lb thrust electric trolling motor for $50 on eBay, which works perfectly. It'll even power us at a decent clip through choppy harbor waters on a windy day. Low weight, quiet, plenty of maneuverability, and very portable.
In my opinion, if your dinghy is mostly used in getting from dinghy dock to mooring field, all you need for locomotion is an Armstrong Engine (a pair of oars and your two arms) or an electric trolling motor. Harbors are no-wake zones anyway. You dont need to get your dinghy up on a plane or pull water skiers, you just need to shuttle goods and personnel to and from your boat.
|