R27 Outboard

[J6@Tow Harbors]

Hey Tugnuts. I heard some complaints about out boards in reading some of the posts. One of them was dinghy storage. Couldn't you just store your lightweight / small dinghy on the shade canvas if the frame work is beefed up a little?
What are the other concerns or cons about outboards?

Thanks in advance! 😀

 

[scross]

Not sure storing a dinghy in the sun shade would work. I am not an engineer but I doubt the structure could handle anything near that much extra weight. Re-engineering and doing a custom build as well as reinforcing the hull at the connection points might be pretty expensive.
Also, just hefting a 75 pound 8 ft long dinghy up there and securing it to the top of the sunshade would be a major struggle for me. Those who store kayaks on the sport roof rack echo that it can be a struggle to get them up and down.
I noticed that some outboard owners who took the factory’s Desolation Sound Cruise this year stored their dinghy inflated in the cockpit. In the photos I saw it took up the whole cockpit!
There was talk of a factory engineered solution that would involve some sort of lift to raise a dinghy over the top of the outboard or something like that. The outboard design already really moves the weight center towards the rear of the boat. Extra weight for some sort of dinghy lift off the rear of the boat would make that issue even worse.

 

[baz]

My solution to this was/is....

Use an inflatable dinghy or Kayak. Deflate it for transportation and place in its carry bag or have it inflated ready to use by installing it on the cabin roof.

My SeaEagle 385ft FasTrack kayak carryies 3 people, weighs 35 lbs and is 12'-6" long and 3' wide. It deflates down to 25"x18"x8" in its bag.

I can lower my VHF antenna on starboard side and easily lower the SeaEagle to the water and with a bit more effort get it back out of the water and onto the cabin roof's supports and tie it down. I have the battery inflator with its integrated battery and can inflate the SeaEagle in 5 mins and deflate it is as much time without using a foot bellows.

I start the 3 backrest seats and paddles in the cockpit's center storage or in the starboard side cockpit locker easily.

I also have a the small electric WaterSnake electric motor powered by a lithium 50 Ah battery that only weighs 10 lbs. This provides 35 lbs of thrust and has 7 speeds.

My Wire Hair Fox Terrier has no trouble being on this kayak.... and have used it with 2 adults and a small child up front.

It's total load capacity is 635 lbs.

 

[Maggie Anne]

I've been carrying a West Marine PHP-310 dinghy (73 lbs) on the roof of my R27OB and it seems to ride fine. Getting it on and off is somewhat awkward but not too bad. The procedure I use is to first lift it on board and rest it sideways on the cockpit bench (where the grill/sink is located). From that position it is then rotated to vertical and one person on the swim step can easily lever it up onto the roof.

A picture is shown in the album, you can also see in this photo how I've stored the Lehr 5 HP propane outboard (50 lbs) on the side. I took a narrow plastic garbage bin I got from Home Depot and attached a wooden board to it so I could clamp the outboard inside the bin. The plastic bin serves two purposes, it keeps the outboard motor secured while underway and also I can fill it with fresh water after using the motor and run the engine to flush out the salt water.

Storing the dinghies outboard on the starboard side also helps to balance out the list to port caused by the Yamaha 9.9 kicker. To further balance the boat I've also relocated the engine battery to the starboard side as well.

 

[Maggie Anne]

I should have also mentioned that the corners of the solar panel are sharp so I bought some corner protectors at Home Depot and glued them onto the two rear corners of the solar panel so they wouldn't cut into the dinghy.

 

[baz]

My my.... that's awesome. Do you do all that lifting solo or do you get help ?

I suspect doing this with the boat rocking&rolling and with some wind might be quite a challenge for you. No matter, well done. 🙂

 

[Seaquel]

The reality is that a dinghy is considered a must by those who do extensive cruising, particularly if cruising means going "off the grid" and not being dependent upon marinas. Not only that, but having a dinghy that is easily deployed. This means that the newer outboard models have a distinct deficiency in this area. Not an issue if you only head to marinas or never get off your boat, but for many that would negate much of what we get from the freedom of boating.

I'm not taking shots at the new outboards: they are amazing boats and are clearly embraced by the marketplace. But I am surprised by how many folks purchase a the 23OB or 27OB and then try to figure out where to put the dinghy. If a dinghy is critical to your specific mission (as it is for us), then the outboards have a shortcoming. If greater speed is critical, then these new models fill the bill.

Regarding Maggie Anne's approach: kudos for determination, but I see potential issues with storing an inflatable on top of the bimini/solar panel (besides the effort required): 1) 73 lbs. is still a lot of weight up high and aft, and I would be concerned about stress on the bimini structure, especially in heavy seas; 2) maneuvering the dinghy onto the canvas must entail a certain amount of dragging, and the friction of the rubber boat against the canvas would also cause wear; 3) covering up half of the solar panel will distinctly negate much of the benefit of that feature, in addition to further risk of abrasion to the surfaces of both the solar panel and the dinghy.

As to the solution that worked for Baz using an inflatable kayak, again I offer kudos for determination. But an inflatable kayak is simply not the same as a dinghy. I know, because I carry both (plus a SUP board) and they serve different missions, especially in inclement conditions. Further, the fact that I can carry a dinghy + kayak + SUP board underscores the practical differences in the inboard vs. outboard design, as relates to dinghy/kayak stowage.

Again, if top-end speed is critical, the outboards make sense. If not, understand that you will give up much in the way of an easily-deployed dinghy. Figure out which is more mission critical, and go for the one that works best for your individual needs and type of cruising.

 

[Familyguy]

I’m a big fan of outboards for many reasons, we all have our preferaces and this could turn into a huge discussion on the pros and cons of each power plant but I’d rather just show you my solution to the dingy.

Cheers!

 

[Squid]

I do the Saturn kaboat 12’ on the roof rails. About 40lbs and it’s a little narrower than a dinghy. Pretty easy to just push it over the sunshade to get it back up on the R23.

At the boathouse it’s on a kayak lift hovering above the slip. I can just lower it down when I need it. This way I don’t have to cruise around with it all the time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BO-J]

I have a 14 foot Hornbeck canoe on my R27 Outboard, it weight is 23 lbs it is carbon-Kevlar I store on top. I have no problem handling it by my self.. if stability is a consern there are outriggers and two dog can’t tip me over. Website hornbeckboats.com. 14 is about the largest it will fit.
BO-J

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

I just love this resource... Tugnuts, you are my "first-stop shop"!

As I continue to make our R27-OB ours (replacing, relocating, adding, etc), a dinghy is up next on my list. My visit to the Seattle Boat Show was specifically to see a particular "folding" boat... Porta Bote. 8', 10 year warranty, American-made, durable material, and under the right circumstances, would be a great portable boat option.

At 68 pounds, lifting or lowering the boat from the sport rack, maneuvering it into or out of the cockpit for assembly or disassembly, would be a strenuous task at best. On the water makes it more challenging, and in the wind, down right scary. So my search continues!

I fight the erge to enter "the destination vs the journey" discussion... we all love the water! But I still need a vessel where I can engage a stern tie as necessary when on the hook. It doesn't have to be much, but it does have to be safe for (2) people, and should have the option for power (my preference). A kayak is not an appealing option.

However, the 12' Saturn KaBoat does look like a good option. Squid, do you have pics of your dinghy in place on your R23? Do you transport it on a kayak rack on the Sports Rack? I trailer my boat, so, securing for 60-70 mph down the highway is a consideration. Inflating at the launch may be my best recommended practice!

Thanks for any feedback!

Bob & Kim
The Doghouse 2

Ps: stay tuned for the Annual Roaming Rondy!

 

[baz]

Bob:

My solution to your dilemma is as follows....

1) First, did you see the two kayak-type hangars on the port side of the railing on the R29 CB's command deck at the Seattle Boat Show ? The same hangars could be installed on your R27/OB and if I still had mine I would employ the hangars for sure to hold my inflated Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack kayak.

2) My Sea Eagle FastTrack is some 12'-6" long, weighs 35 lbs, is 3-feet wide, has load capacity for 3-persons - 635 lbs and can be powered by a WaterSnake electric motor. I obtained the portable pump & battery that allows the Sea Eagle to be inflated in 5 mins and same for deflating it. It's super easy to do both in the cockpit with it laying cross-ways when inflated. The 35 lbs is easily managed by me at close to being 76 yrs old. The SeaEagle can be deflated and stowed in its included carry bag and would be easy to simply place it on the swim step and not interfere with the outboard's swing to port, or just keep it in the cockpit. I have the WaterSnake electric motor (weighs a mere 15 lbs) and power it with a light-weight 50 Ah Lithium battery that weighs only 10 lbs and delivers a good 35 lbs of thrust. This battery can run down to 10% while delivering full power to the motor during this discharge time. I've tested this motor/battery setup at home with the motor prop sat in a large tub of water.

3) IMO - Forget about the heavy unmanageable Porta Bote. What was its cost BTW ?

4) With the Sea Eagle deflated and bagged you can trailer your R27/OB and not worry about having a kayak sitting on the boat's top side at 70 mph. :lol:

5) If you know you'll not need the Sea Eagle on a cruise then simply leave it at home.

6) By end of Feb 2019 I'll have my R29 CB and will have the kayak type hangers installed on the upper deck's port side railing. These hangers when not needed can be folded flat so they don't stick out. Having my Sea Eagle mounted in these hangers is better than having the Sea Eagle on top of the cabin as I had on my R27/OB and it will be so much easier to deploy it to the water when needed, as well as bringing it back on board later on.

7) I've had 2 adults, a small child and my 18 lb Fox Terrier on my Sea Eagle and it handled very well.

8) I've used the WaterSnake motor that attaches to a cross platform on the stern and is controlled easily with my right arm/hand. The 50 Ah Lithium battery lasts for many hours so long as full speed is not engaged all the time.

9) The Sea Eagle has a keel and a removable dagger skeg that allows the Sea Eagle to track very precisely.

10) Another real good benefit for the Sea Eagle is its dual purpose. Use it for your boat or deflate it, bag it, place in your auto and travel anywhere in the country to a non-boating paradise location to use it for river adventures etc.

11) If you wait for a Sea Eagle sale you can save a bunch of money. I bought my whole Sea Eagle outfit for $1,979 when on sale in July 2017.

12) I added 4 extra D-rings so I could have a 3rd backrest seat. It was easy to do and the items for this can be ordered at little cost.

Bob: I really cannot find any fault with the Sea Eagle and after some 2 yrs I can safely recommend it to others knowing it will meet many requirements people have.

 

[BB marine]

I don't have a outboard model so I have the option of a swim platform mounted dingy. We have a 270 Rib Gala. Very well built aluminum hull Rib. They are distributed from Canada Gala Inflatables. We have the Weaver set up which works good but also presents issues 1) The Cutwater C26 has very good aft visibility from the helm, it is comparable to the R23 and R27. With the Dingy set up, sits 6' high on the Platform. Aft visibility is significantly reduced. 2) The added weight hanging off the end of the platform changes the running attitude of the boat at high cruise speed requiring added trim range. (I have made 2 alterations to factory tabs to resolve this issue) 3) The inflatable creates a very wet spray aft while cruising at high cruise in rough water conditions. This takes away one of the best qualities of the Cutwater Hull. The Cutwater hull rides better in rough sea's at 15kts to 17Kts then 8kts. I have been thinking seriously of selling the transom mount dingy and going with The Gala Canoe. A 10' 6" long, 41" wide, 44lbs, capable of planing with the max Hp 4HP outboard. I'm Looking for opinions if this seems feasible to easily put on the pilot house. We have a paddle board that we store there now which is very easy to launch and retrieve.

 

[JPWill]

We handle the dinghy on our R27 OB a couple ways .... mostly we store it and carry it inflated on the starboard side with the swim platform door open. We also deflate it and store it aft cockpit locker, or tow it. I can deploy it and retrieve it alone, but with the two of us it is no problem. Definately not going to work for everyone.

 

[bill j]

We purchased a PRU-3 inflatable dinghy from West Marine that fits nicely on our swim platform without touching either 300 hp Suzuki on our CW 302 coupe. we use an electric motor for power and after removal the inflatable dinghy is easily pulled out, turned sideways, and strapped so its not touching the engines. Bill