Recommended motor for an 8'6" RIB dinghy

M

msu1966

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2021
Messages
109
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2714J213
Vessel Name
MAROONED
I have the factory RIB dinghy with the Weaver davit system. Currently I have a Minnkota electric motor. I have not launched my dinghy since I recently bought my 2013 R27. Is there a better choice of motors besides my Minnkota in terms of ease of mounting and storing the motor when underway?

Thanks,
Ken
 
We have an e-propulsion electric on our Walker Bay 10' and it is terrific. No gas, no sound, no tune ups and easily stowed away.
 
We also have the ePropulsion. The battery detaches so you are only lifting about half the weight for each piece. When out and about we keep the battery inside and the shaft portion mounted to the rail. One note, I ordered a short shaft, not realizing there was an extra short. I think the extra short would fit my Ranger RIB better.
 
+1 on the ePropulsion! Didn't want another winch on the stern. Like the previous post, lift the batter off (it floats also) first one handed and then the motor and shaft. Piece of cake. No more taking carbs apart every season to clean and service.
 
Can you say how you chose epropulsion over torqueedo?
 
I have the Torqeedo. A great motor, but..... I found that the most annoying thing is service. There are few repair shops and this often results in shipping to their main facility. The construction and repair is so simple, yet you can't buy parts and service it yourself. The battery needs to replaced about every five years or so at a cost of about $800. If the other brand is better on these two items and the quality the same as well as weight and ease of carrying and mounting, I would go with e Propulsion.
 
We have a Minnkota for our 8'6" dinghy that works well. We use two 54ah Lithium batteries. One to power the motor and one as a backup. The batteries store under the starboard hatch and the motor stores under the main cockpit hatch. Very easy to handle and will work with almost any battery. I had previously dropped a 5hp 4-stroke into the water trying to get it on a dinghy, so enjoying the ease of the lighter configuration.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 
Plus one on the Suzuki. Carburetor is very simple to service.
 
I chose the e-propulsion over the torqeedo based on a side by side comparison I read last December (which I cannot find). Prices are comparable but the e-propulsion ease of use and floating battery swayed me in the end.
 
We use the Suzuki 2.5 hp gas motor. It is light (28 lb) and we store it on a bracket on the rear swimstep railing where is out of the way. When loading onto the dinghy I it is lifted off the bracket while standing in the dinghy (secured to the swimstep with davit system) so there is less likelihood of dropping it into the drink.
 
Is it more convenient and safe to tow the dink with the motor on the stern when cruising in a local area (less than 15 - 20 mile radius) rather than mounting the motor on the stern rail and the dink on the davits when moving the boat from Port to Port?
If so what is the recommended rigging to keep the dink secure and under control?
 
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