Dinghy/Outboard Feedback

[KlaassyC]

I'm considering changing my dinghy package on our C28 this winter, so here's where I 'm at: Last year, purchased a 2.7M (9') inflatable floor dinghy and a Yamaha 6HP outboard. My thinking at the time was that this would be enough to plane if lightly loaded. That has not proven to be the case as the best speed I can manage is 4-5 knots. We are generally heavily loaded with 3 adults and a little dog. Seeing as it won't plane anyways, I would much prefer a lighter outboard for storage and mounting. Balancing the 6hp on a rolling boat and into the dinghy is always an adventure.
I'm considering a couple of options: Sell the Yamaha and purchase a Epropulsion Spirit 1.0. Does anyone have one on a similar dinghy and how does it perform? Will it do 4Kn at 1/2 throttle, or is that pushing it hard? Our average use is 20 - 30 minutes per day tops, so as long as I'm not running at 100% throttle that should work. We would need to charge via the inverter while underway.
Option two is swapping the Yamaha for a Suzuki 2.5hp. This would eliminate any range issues and frankly, is a lot cheaper than the Epropulsion. Again, any feedback on performance would be helpful.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I have a Spirit 1.0 Plus and a 7’7” Achilles inflatable keel dinghy.

It is wonderfully easy to mount that motor on my dinghy in the water. I first load the motor section and battery separately into the dinghy. Then I mount the motor section on the transom. When that’s secure, I install the battery on the motor. They are about equal in weight and easy to handle in that little dinghy.

I’m pleased with the performance of the Spirit 1.0 Plus, but I’d be surprised if you could achieve 4 knots at half-throttle with three adults aboard a 9’ inflatable. However, at your stated 20-30 minutes of daily use, you could likely achieve 4 knots loaded at a higher throttle setting that will stay within battery endurance.

I’ve only used the Spirit on my dinghy to motor to shore and to other boats in an anchorage. I haven’t tried to measure speed achieved and I haven’t made any extended trips. According to the battery life display on the Spirit’s tiller, battery endurance rises exponentially as one uses less than full throttle. Hopefully, someone can provide an apples-to-apples comparison.

I love the silent operation of the Spirit 1.0 Plus. Other boaters in an anchorage have commented on how quiet it is. The noise of the dinghy going through water far exceeds the noise of the motor. Also, it’s nice not having to carry a fuel supply for the dinghy motor.

 

[Martin610]

I have had a Suzuki 2.5 HP for years. I not only use it for ship to shore and anchorages, but I also fish out of it and explore new areas. I sometimes go for for miles in the thing. It's light enough at 31 pounds I can just throw it on my shoulder to carry around. I can pluck it off the dingy to mount on the railing of my CW 28. I also own a Mercury/Tohatsu 3.5 but I never use it due to the extra weight. Dingy doesn't seem to go any faster with the extra power. I use it on a Highfield 240 UL.

Electric outboards take a significant amount of electricity to charge up. It can consume an enormous amount of your solar cell power if you don't have a generator. Something to think about.

-martin610

 

[dbsea]

an 8HP two stroke is lighter than a 6HP four stroke, and you get two cylinders and a lot more torque which is what increases your hole shot and gets you on plane. I have a 90's Yamaha 8HP 2 stroke that weighs 56lbs and the RT260 RIB (8'6"), and it will go 12-15kn with two people and 2 dogs on board. You have to mix fuel and they are a bit smokier (less so with the 100/1 mix on yamahas), but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[KlaassyC]

Thanks guys! I think I’ll look for a Suzuki 2.5, my wife can’t stand the smell of a two stroke so that’s out.


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[Sandro]

Hi. I have the Suzuki 2.5. Starts on one pull every time. Runs forever on its little tank. Light (rail mount on the swim platform rail not on the rail next to the rear seat so does not get in the way.). Zero smell. I don’t think it will ever die of old age. Ever. Only complaint is that it is loud. I selected it because reviews said it was quiet. That did not hold true. At least for me.

Also the less weight back there the better. Makes a huge difference.

 

[SKing]

I had to tow my 30c this weekend with the dingy which has a a 5hp Honda. Just barely enough to maneuver the boat back to the marina. I would hate to have any less power than that if I was ever in that situation again. (PS. Side tying at the stern turned out to be the only way it had any control over direction in case you are ever in the need)

 

[JeffreyAC77]

I have a similar setup (on our R31-CB) to CaspersCruisers and our experience is similar to his comments. We gladly sacrifice speed for the quiet operation and not needing to deal with fuel.

 

[Bobby P.]

I'll take the other side of the Dinghy debate.
My wife and I love to zip around on our Dinghy and when at anchor explore ways away from the boat.
We have the factory RT 9'6 Rib and a 9.9 Suzuki four stoke fuel injected. I also added the Dole-trim "fins", which pops her right up on plain. We have a Gauer SS crane to lift the motor and pull the dink onto the weaver davits.
I love a small outboard that is fuel injected. No more carburetor problems and good torque and high end rpms.
Good luck!
Bobby

 

[dbsea]

I'll take the other side of the Dinghy debate.
My wife and I love to zip around on our Dinghy and when at anchor explore ways away from the boat.
We have the factory RT 9'6 Rib and a 9.9 Suzuki four stoke fuel injected. I also added the Dole-trim "fins", which pops her right up on plain. We have a Gauer SS crane to lift the motor and pull the dink onto the weaver davits.
I love a small outboard that is fuel injected. No more carburetor problems and good torque and high end rpms.
Good luck!
Bobby

jealous of your 290RIB! I'd really like a 9.9 motor but my 260RIB can only handle 66lbs of outboard...

 

[Someday*]

I have wrestled with this issue since we got our R29: the weight of the outboard engine.

Like to have the planing ability with a larger engine, but then there's the weight of, say a 6 or 9hp engine. (trying to manhandle that off the inflatable an onto a railing bracket)

Or a non planing size lighter engine? Easier to lift and move around but wont be able to plane.

Would the weaver type davit be the answer where the engine stays on the transom of the inflatable as it is lifted? I know they are expensive but would this be a solution?

 

[dbsea]

I have wrestled with this issue since we got our R29: the weight of the outboard engine.

Like to have the planing ability with a larger engine, but then there's the weight of, say a 6 or 9hp engine. (trying to manhandle that off the inflatable an onto a railing bracket)

Or a non planing size lighter engine? Easier to lift and move around but wont be able to plane.

Would the weaver type davit be the answer where the engine stays on the transom of the inflatable as it is lifted? I know they are expensive but would this be a solution?

The weaver Lever or the sea-wise davit both accomplish that. I've long contemplated them. I would really prefer a horizontal style davit like the Kato or Ross Kelley Olsson, as the weaver or sea wise setup basically create a giant drag parachute behind the boat. I lose 2kn at the same RPM with the dinghy on the weaver as compared to it being off.

 

[S@LTD]

Takacat 260, 2.5 hp Suzuki on Weaver davits. Super light set up for a CW28. Four years in and still loving it. The open bow of the Takacat is great for swimming off of or taking the dog ashore. Our boat is weight sensitive so this does the trick (53lbs on the dink, 30 lbs on the Suzuki.

 

[Someday*]

Takacat 260, 2.5 hp Suzuki on Weaver davits. Super light set up for a CW28. Four years in and still loving it. The open bow of the Takacat is great for swimming off of or taking the dog ashore. Our boat is weight sensitive so this does the trick (53lbs on the dink, 30 lbs on the Suzuki.

I just watched the youtube video review of this...very interesting. I like the design of it and the low weight!

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I had a takacat pvc for 5 years on the stern. The seams all failed this past year. I replaced it with a highfield ul260 hypalon rib. It’s much deeper and dryer ride. But still light for the. cW28 stern.