Dinghy w/4-stroke Question

[bob]

Just bought a used 2000 240DA and would like to be able to mount my dinghy. I have a 8' Zodiac with a 5-hp Envinrude 4-stroke, which is a good combination of inflatible/motor. Most of the dinghy mounts I've seen for swim platforms raise the sides of the dinghy to vertical, or past vertical

Since I'm stuck with the 4-stroke (my budget is busted after buying the boat), which is sensitive to keeping the motor upright since the oil will drain out, are there any alternatives to mounting the dinghy on the swim platform?

 

[Sea Ray 300]

Why not remove the outboard before the trip, and store it upright on a bracket in the cockpit, and upright the dingy on the platform.

 

[bob]

Well Steve, I had thought of your idea. The problem is the motor weight and tight quarters of the swim platform. Since the boat will be constantly in motion due to the ocean/choppy waters, it seems like an opportunity to lose the motor overboard.

 

[Sea Ray 300]

Agreed on the weight of the motor, but still feasible, provided that the dingy is securely fastened bow and stern to the platform during removal and installation.
Nevertheless, still best performed by two people, one in the dingy, and one on the platform.

A home made bracket, perhaps securely fastened to the underside of a seat, with the motor standing upright, and clamped to a vertical on the bracket, would ride well. A folded towel under it, would protect the skeg, prop, and boat deck.
The bracket, could be fashioned in a manner that it is removable when not in use.
We didn't invent it, as it's been done many times before. :thumbsup:

 

[DuckBoater]

bob,
when you get this worked out, would you post some pictures for us? I'm looking to take my boat into the Canadian Gulf Islands next year and am pretty interested in how you might work this out.
Thanks!

 

[fwebster]

Are you sure the Evinrude cannot be rested/stored on one side or the other? The manufacturers realize small outboards are often used for kickers and normally plan for that in their designs. We have a Honda 4 stroke and it can be stored in a horizontal positionon the left but not the right side...in fact, Honda even added little feet to the cowling for it to rest on.

Might be worth researching with Evinrude.