It is a wrestling match!
Stu Jackson wrote: "If the engine's 60# how the heck do you even get it on the dinghy in the first place?" I am a hobby body builder, I use brute force, but 60# is the Max I will wrestle with! The dink is 80# I use a dolly to move it around deflated then inflate it at the dock. I tried wrestling this beast upon to the foredeck one time and it exhausted me, this why I tow it, also there is nowhere to attach the 60# engine on the boat so it has to remain on the dink transome. After reading some of the responses in this thread it becomes apparent that sea conditions are the influencing factor. So why is it that some individuals are so determined to challenge Mother Nature and her fury. Even though the guy citing Desolation Sound did not lose his dink I still cannot imagine wanting to face such a wrath of nature. I only tow my dink when on an extended trip (a few times per year) the remaining sailing time it remains at home. If the weather gets threatening we simply remain where we are or seek safe harbour immediately. In the PNW it is usually only a short distance to safety, not that difficult, add to that the availabilty of up to the minute weather forecasts, not to mention the stability of weather patterns and I have to wonder how any responsible sailor could find themselves in a situation. I am a beginner with only a few seasons under my belt and a Power Squadron course yet I am able to avoid an unpleasant situation, If I can do it as a beginner what is the problem for more seasoned boaters? Do some people just head out there and take their chances, no weather checks or forecast checks? I find that for the most part as long as I practice due diligence the risk of losing my dink is minimal even with the outboard attached. On another note if I was careless and struck a rock and started sinking at least my dink is right there, inflated with engine ready to start and get me out alive.
