So far the Admiral and Skipper (dog) approve of the acquisition.
Dinghy Power Advice - Lehr Propane OB?
- Thread starter BlowMeAway
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- dinghy lehr propane ob
So far the Admiral and Skipper (dog) approve of the acquisition.
Don't they need a propane bottle? Where would you store it? Is there room for the 3 of you and your shore stuff? A previous member in our club had one on his Catalina 16.
Hey Justin, yep they need only a single Coleman style propane tank which screws into the head of the motor. You can also install a larger cylinder and hose adapter. We already stow multiple canisters on the H30 for the Magma grill. Apparently one canister will propel the boat for 1/2 to 2 hours dependent on throttle. We only make short trips from anchorage to winery and restaurant docks up here. But I do want the dinghy to plane. So pretty much WOT for me. Check out the propane tank in the image below. ECO friendly and four stroke clean. Just need to tote along a few extra canisters each trip.
10 HP Max., Solid wood transom and heavy rubber grip plate. Looking only at short shaft models.
I was once very interested in the Lehr also. seemed like a great low maintenance concept….. until I read the many poor reviews. It appeared to me that it was pretty much universally agreed that the unit was VERY poorly built and had constant problems. I owned an outdoor power equipment business for 31 years, before retirement, so I understand the potential benefits of propane power, but this unit doesn't sound like it makes the grade.
Yeah, I read all available posts here on SBO, similarly understanding the published motor issues. Most responses outside of the forum indicate problems with the motor when in it's manufactured infancy, however vastly resolved with increased sales and higher production volumes. I'm pretty much sold on this model...I've had tons of OB mechanical issues with gasoline power equipment, leakages, smells and spills, exhaust smoke, pre-mix, etc. We have 400 slips in our Marina and I really want to be a considerate, community minded, Eco-responsible citizen.
No, a 2-5 HP OB will not put that boat on plane (unless you are surfing down the face of a following sea). But that size engine in an entirely appropriate inflatable with a soft keel.
My Avon 260 Air floor of slightly larger size won't plane on my 5 HP Lehr. I prefer half throttle and I get over an hour out of a canister and go about 4 knots with my wife and I. I had a Yamaha 4 stroke that I got rid of to buy the Lehr after spending hundreds of dollars trying to keep it running with this god awful gas today. Even with sea foam, Stabil, still not reliable. Lehr solved that.
I store 4 cans in a 4 foot PVC tube with an endcap and a cleanout on the other end. Rides low on the stern lazarette top while underway, sits crossways in the dinghy when motor is on. Sealed for secondary safety.
I store 4 cans in a 4 foot PVC tube with an endcap and a cleanout on the other end. Rides low on the stern lazarette top while underway, sits crossways in the dinghy when motor is on. Sealed for secondary safety.
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BMA,
In my experience the 2.5 will not plane and the 5 HP will only if the dog is the only one on board and doing the driving.
You are just asking too much of these two motors with two adults and a dog regardless of boat size.
A larger moter (8HP) may do the trick, but I have no experience with the 8hp on a boat your size, but then whatever you get you end up hanging it off the stern rail, another issue.
Good luck,
Steve
In my experience the 2.5 will not plane and the 5 HP will only if the dog is the only one on board and doing the driving.
You are just asking too much of these two motors with two adults and a dog regardless of boat size.
A larger moter (8HP) may do the trick, but I have no experience with the 8hp on a boat your size, but then whatever you get you end up hanging it off the stern rail, another issue.
Good luck,
Steve
I had a similar inflatable, with a 6hp Tohatshu (/Nissan/Merc) 4-stroke gas. It would get up on plane with just me aboard, but wouldn't plane with 2 of us. I doubt even the 5 hp would get you up on step with you, the Admiral and the dog.
Also, I can't really see much difference, environment-wise, between gas and propane. They're both burning dinosaurs. If you want something CLEAN, try electric. But you won't find one that would get you up on step.
druid
Also, I can't really see much difference, environment-wise, between gas and propane. They're both burning dinosaurs. If you want something CLEAN, try electric. But you won't find one that would get you up on step.
druid
Actually, it's fossilized plant material (coal, oil, and gas) from a period several million years before dinosaurs. Also, 3-5 hours, even 10, per year of running an OB versus daily commutes (?) x 2 (?) in diesel or gas engine trucks or gas engine cars? Is the truck on CNG? Is there a Prius in the garage?
Ironic isn't it that blow boaters yearn for a planing dink when one that will not, will easily outrun their sailboat.
'Tis a rowing dinghy, complete with oars and locks? I guess I'm not that Eco-friendly since shoulder surgery...besides the Admiral might whine if I made her rowing dingy captain. Zoom, Zoom!
I thinks it's more typical than ironic, as I prefer to have as much horse power in my dink as possible at this age. The admiral agrees!
It may have oars, but I doubt anyone would call it a "rowing dinghy." Those are more specialized usually made of wood or fiberglass, can be more expensive than an inflatable w/ less capacity. Of course, you can get larger ones.
Awesome!!! But well beyond my pay grade and stow ability.It may have oars, but I doubt anyone would call it a "rowing dinghy." Those are more specialized usually made of wood or fiberglass, can be more expensive than an inflatable w/ less capacity. Of course, you can get larger ones.