towing dingy

[zrolimt]

I'm a new b361 owner and this is first time posting here. Asking if it's better to tow dingy or store on boat. I will need a lot of advice from all experienced beneteau owners out there (i.e., electronics, ice box, head, etc.). Those questions will be coming. Thank you.

 

[Scott B]

Towing or not to tow all depends on what waters you're typically cruing in, inland lakes, coastal or offshore. Also, storing on boat will require either davits or removing motor and lifting dinghy onto deck. Towing will slow you down half knot to 2 knots depending on type and weight of dinghy as well, but stowing takes more time and work to get going when you get to anchor.

 

[zrolimt]

dingy outboard

Are the stern rails strong enough to carry an outboard? If so, where is the best place to get outboard motor mounts for a B361.

 

[agaliha]

B361 Outboard mount

Dear Zero limit,
Defender carries a solid teak motor Bracket...part # 300712...model 60326 for $53.99.
They also have a plastic Bracket for 15.99. Your stern rails will carry as big an out board as you can lift.
I tow an Eastport Pram behind my B361 on an inland lake. Works great!
Agaliha

 

[zrolimt]

bracket from defender

Agaliha, Thank you. I looked at the bracket on their web. It looks good. From the photo, does this bracket require a vertical post? If so, where did you install yours?

 

[agaliha]

bracket for outboard

It will accomodate a vertical post, but does not require it. Obviously, it will not twist on the horizontal rail if you place it at a vertical post (stanchion) location. The B361 doesn't really have a good place to mount this bracket with a vertical post, so I just tightened it and put up with a little "twist" when the motor is mounted.
Agailha

 

[DougM]

One way to get rid of the "twist" problem with the outboard mount on the upper rail is to install a second outboard bracket on the midrail upside down with a piece of stainless tube vertically between the two in the depression designed for a stanchion.

I've seen this on more than one boat, and plan on doing it to mine. My 323 has a factory installed outboard bracket on the top rail. It has a steel rod drilled through the horizontal rail to act as an anti twist device. Its probably sufficient for a 3 hp 2 cycle outboard, but really marginal for my 8hp 4 cycle.

 

[mattkling]

On my 361, I mounted a bracket like this to the upper stern rail, added a piece of 1" stainless tubing below and attached it to the lower rail with a hinged stainless T fitting like this (http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/S-D-290603-1/). This kept the outboard from banging on the back of the boat when under way.

 

[zrolimt]

mattkling, thank you for the info. I'm assuming you got the 90 degree fitting, correct? How big of an outboard can this take?

 

[mattkling]

90 degree fitting is correct. Mine is only a 2hp, but this is a strong setup so you could hold quite a bit more - probably as much as you would want to lift up there. What size are you thinking?