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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Outboard motor for Dinghy

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/07/2009 : 05:27:08

Our new dink arrived, inflated, looks pretty good!

Now to make the outboard/oars/electric power choice.

We will be using the dink to transit from the boat(anchor/mooring) to shore, or between boats.

Most of our sailing is within sight of the shoreline but that is either the quiet waters of the inner side of the keys (most of the time) or the not so quite waters on the Atlantic beach.

Any suggestions?

If outboard or electric: size/length/make/etc.

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2009 : 06:53:24

If you just want to move along (not plane) and keep weight to a minimum for ease of mounting and removing, there are two that I'd suggest:

Honda 2: 4-stroke, 28 lbs, air cooled (no cooling system issues), somewhat noisier (because of air cooling), centrifugal clutch (throttle up and the prop engages--down and it disengages), 360-deg. steering (no reverse or true neutral), internal gas tank.

Suzuki 2.5: 4-stroke, 30 lbs, water cooled (somewhat quieter), F-N shift, 360-deg. steering, internal gas tank.

Nothing else I know of comes close for weight. Both will push a dink to hull-speed--considerably more power and weight is needed to get on plane. A friend recently bought the Suzuki after trying my Honda--it's a nice little motor.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/07/2009 06:55:35

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2009 : 08:14:48

Paul,
I've got the Suzuki 2.5 and love it. Nice and quiet, plenty of power.

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David Scott
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2009 : 20:41:25

We opted for the Tohatsu 3.5hp 4-cycle o/b for our West Marine RU260 inflatable dingy. Its important to match dingy and motor and this dingy reportedly handles a max of 4hp. At 42lbs. its a bit heavy to manage one handed as was the case with our old 2-cycle and 2hp Yamaha. We used a vang attached to end of boom to lift engine on and off boat so this solved problem of a heavier o/b. We just returned from a 7wk trip to the Northwest and had good opportunity to test it. It worked well for us. It gave us a little more power then the old 2hp o/b when carrying stuff from shore to boat,it was compatible with our main o/b a 9.8hp Tohatsu,and if main o/b failed it could in light conditions help be a backup o/b for the boat.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2009 : 04:56:58

I don't use a dinghy, but my sailing pal has a 2.5 hp Mercury 2-stroke. It replaced his electric dinghy motor, which was very tedious to use by transferring a heavy battery to and from the dinghy each time. The 2.5 hp Mercury is lightweight and gives enough power to use as a backup motor to drive his C-25 at 4 knots. The 2 stroke is a bit smoky and noisy, of course, so I would recommend one of the new, small 4 strokes.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2009 : 14:06:03

Paul, what is the max HP it will carry? I have a 8.5' dinghy and got a 6hp Tohatsu. It was the same weight as a 4hp and not more more in price. I wanted larger HP for my needs. I am extremely happy with it. It weights much less than a Honda.
Steve

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2009 : 17:48:37

the air cooled Honda is light, but it's <u> a lot noisier</u> than 2 and 4 stroke water cooled engines. I've used my electric for many things, but I wouldn't want to get caught in the surf with it.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2009 : 18:14:00

Still working on the Engine option.

Plus I'm really re-visiting the Arch concept to carry the dink

Paul

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2009 : 18:35:23

Hint: I bought the Honda 2, but I would've bought the new Suzi 2.5 if they'd made it then. Either is plenty for my 8'6" Achilles, and both are much lighter than anything else now being made, which only matters if you don't have a davit to lower and lift it.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/13/2009 19:47:24

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.