Yes I have a DINGHY Queastion

[SimonV]

I have been happy in Oz using inflatable dinghies between 8' to 10' with a 2 or 5 hp O/B slow and steady easy to lift and carry.

Sailingdog

In an older reply to a post you mention that if going to Mexico you will need a larger engine for your dinghy, you may have even mentioned 15 hp. (SD if it was not you I apologise profusely)

Q. Why do you need such a large engine, are the currents that strong?

Q. It is hard enough standing in the dink, hoicking the 5hp up to the pushpit
How do you do it with out help and why do I need it?

[camaraderie]

Simon...I'm gonna jump in here too since I have long wished to be rid of the 5hp merc that I bought for my 10' Rib some years ago. Unfortunately...it will not die!

I bought the 5hp before cruising full time. I assumed that since 5hp was plenty to get me from anchor to shore in the Chesapeake Bay...it would be plenty for cruising.
The difference is that when you are cruising, the dink becomes the family car and you use it to go all over while leaving the boat at anchor. I often found myself travelling several MILES in the dink to go fishing or visit a reef or get to a specific point on shore that had a service we needed without having to up anchor. It wasn't too long before I lusted after a larger engine like my friends had that allowed them to get "there" quicker and fly along on a plane regardless of the load.

Of course there is the substantial weight tradeoff and they all struggled with that with most having some sort of lifting boom for the motor. But since once you arrive from offshore, you then may spend a month or two in sheltered waters...this is not an everyday event as you just tow the dink/motor behind you until the next passage.

5HP is plenty of power for a 10ft rib to get through any current or sea conditions you'd be out in BUT it is kinda like haveing a car that can only do 55 on the freeway. 15HP is awesome and 9.9 HP is a happy compromise. But you'll need one of these for either:

Garhauer makes 'em for about $300 US.

[sailingdog]

SimonV-

Wasn't me... but I'd agree that when you're cruising long-term, the ability to get the dinghy through higher winds and waves, even when it is fully loaded, is much more important, especially since you may be anchored out some distance from the nearest docks.

Cam's right... the dink essentially becomes the car, and the boat is effectively the house.

Also, if your boat has a deeper draft, then you may find that you need to use the dinghy much more, as some places may be too shallow for the mothership to access.

[Pamlicotraveler]

SimonV - I'm with you on this one...I just took my 15hp Johnson to the storage room (in case I change my mind) and bought a cheap used 3.5 Tohatsu 2 cycle that I can hold in one hand. When I get into some current where the 3.5 won't work I may go retrieve the Johnson, along with the hoists and winches we had to use to get it on and off the dinghy.

My logic was that it is like a lifejacket...the one you will wear is the one that you should have. With the big motor you are less likely to want to deal with it at all. And who wants one of those cranes like Cam shows here hanging off the back of their boat?

[SimonV]

Cam,SD and Pam

Thanks for the reply, maybe I'm wrong but the whole idea of rushing around with a large O/B seems foreign given I sail slowly, walk slowly and the main reason to cruise is to enjoy life quietly and at a slow pace. The only things I do fast is drink, play poker and SEX.

Edit: The only reason to have sex fast is so you can run down to the pub and tell your mates

[sailingdog]

SimonV-

Some anchorages, especially in foreign ports, will require that you travel quite some distance in your dinghy to get to services, like the laundry, groceries, water, etc. If you have a larger outboard on your dinghy, it means that you can make those trips, even in less than ideal conditions, when the wind and tidal currents may be against you. It also means that you may be able to make more trips, like loading groceries or water, in a shorter period of time.

BTW, a real gentleman never kisses and tells... just hints at it.. and leaves everyone speculating.

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

SimonV-



BTW, a real gentleman never kisses and tells... just hints at it.. and leaves everyone speculating.

SD re the engine I will have to wait and see what if any comes with the boat.

As for the comment about real gentlemen, i remember the first time well when I told my freinds. couldn't understand the look on their faces when I asked how long the sore arse lasts.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by SimonV

SD re the engine I will have to wait and see what if any comes with the boat.

As for the comment about real gentlemen, i remember the first time well when I told my freinds. couldn't understand the look on their faces when I asked how long the sore arse lasts.

Sounds reasonable... and you shouldn't have given your girlfriend a strap-on for Christmas...

[tenuki]

Just get a hard ding and a good sculling oar and be done with your outboard altogether!