ive got a simple question ! when towing a dingy ( inflatable ) can you leave the outboard on it ? iam not going off shore just in the bay. the problem is the outboards heavy and kind of a pain to get on and off as well as storing it look forward to hearing what everyone has to say
dingy towing !
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why not?
I've done it but it ain't pretty.... The floppy bottoms drag a lot and spray will fill them up quickly if the weather goes to crap. You'll find quicky that boat speed drops real fast towing these things but other than that there is no reason you can't do it in a bay on a good day. Just do it and enjoy the extra time you'll be out there sailing.
I've done it but it ain't pretty.... The floppy bottoms drag a lot and spray will fill them up quickly if the weather goes to crap. You'll find quicky that boat speed drops real fast towing these things but other than that there is no reason you can't do it in a bay on a good day. Just do it and enjoy the extra time you'll be out there sailing.
ok
Towed mine all through the Bahamas. Only removed the outboard to cross the stream. FWIW, Gord May
Towed mine all through the Bahamas. Only removed the outboard to cross the stream. FWIW, Gord May
Dinghy motor lift
or you could do it safely and get your motor on and off your dignhy painlessly and buy a relatively inexpensive Garhauer dinghy motor lift for less than $200. Check the forum archives, very highly regarded piece of equipment. Stu
or you could do it safely and get your motor on and off your dignhy painlessly and buy a relatively inexpensive Garhauer dinghy motor lift for less than $200. Check the forum archives, very highly regarded piece of equipment. Stu
One word of caution
I've had the experience of towing an inflatable and being caught in a summer squall. The inflatable flipped over and it felt like we were dragging a dead whale, reducing manuverability and speed when we most needed it. Sure glad I didn't have the motor mounted as well, as it would have exacerabated the problem, and probably wouldn't have done the motor any good either. (I still tow the inflatable, but plan to get it on deck and lashed down when a squall is on the way.)
I've had the experience of towing an inflatable and being caught in a summer squall. The inflatable flipped over and it felt like we were dragging a dead whale, reducing manuverability and speed when we most needed it. Sure glad I didn't have the motor mounted as well, as it would have exacerabated the problem, and probably wouldn't have done the motor any good either. (I still tow the inflatable, but plan to get it on deck and lashed down when a squall is on the way.)
Hard Bottom?
If it is a hard bottom with an integrated transom, then it should be no problem. If it is a soft bottom and the transom is glued it, it should still be OK, but will do more wear on the dink as the motor boumces. I towed an 8hp merc on the transom of my soft bottom for 10 years and had no problem, but I really started to get concerned about W&T. I now have a hard bottom w.integrated transom and will leave the motor (Nissan - 5hp) mounted.
If it is a hard bottom with an integrated transom, then it should be no problem. If it is a soft bottom and the transom is glued it, it should still be OK, but will do more wear on the dink as the motor boumces. I towed an 8hp merc on the transom of my soft bottom for 10 years and had no problem, but I really started to get concerned about W&T. I now have a hard bottom w.integrated transom and will leave the motor (Nissan - 5hp) mounted.
If you get into some high wind,
the dinghy might pass you. Ours did once (motor attached) and it ripped out the bow ring on the dinghy. She turned upside down, got water in the fuel, and lost the oars. It was a b**** to recover. Then things started to get really bad when the inboard diesel quit. No dinghy power to tow us into the marina, no oars, high winds and sick passengers. I still tow the dinghy but I usually put the motor on the stern rail of the main boat. Think about it is all I can say. Things to consider: 1. How heavy is the motor? 2. What is the weather expected to do? 3. How is the painter secured? 4. Do you have a backup line attached? 5. How fast do you want to go? 6. How far are you going? 7. Is everything on the dinghy well secured? 8. Can you catch the dinghy if it gets away? 9. Can you do without the dinghy? 10. Do you embarass easily? 11. Do you have insurance to cover the loss? 12. Etc. etc. etc.
the dinghy might pass you. Ours did once (motor attached) and it ripped out the bow ring on the dinghy. She turned upside down, got water in the fuel, and lost the oars. It was a b**** to recover. Then things started to get really bad when the inboard diesel quit. No dinghy power to tow us into the marina, no oars, high winds and sick passengers. I still tow the dinghy but I usually put the motor on the stern rail of the main boat. Think about it is all I can say. Things to consider: 1. How heavy is the motor? 2. What is the weather expected to do? 3. How is the painter secured? 4. Do you have a backup line attached? 5. How fast do you want to go? 6. How far are you going? 7. Is everything on the dinghy well secured? 8. Can you catch the dinghy if it gets away? 9. Can you do without the dinghy? 10. Do you embarass easily? 11. Do you have insurance to cover the loss? 12. Etc. etc. etc.
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