[Public-list] Dinghy - Tow or Stow?

[John Birch]

At our marina we have 5 work boats with 15hp engines (with prop guards) for 
deploying and bringing in the docks each year due to icing conditions - we 
can't leave them out as we have a large fetch with sheet flow ice in 
Hamilton Harbour and a floating Wavebreaker.

We have been through several engine manufacturers and have found that 
Mercury engines are the most reliable and easiest to start. Just our Board 
and members opinion, for what its worth.

Cheers,
John - LaSalle Park Marina Association, Director (Secretary)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Staehling" <staehpj1 at yahoo.com>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 7:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Dinghy - Tow or Stow?


> --- JOHN GRAVES <jg1111 at msn.com> wrote:
>> It is the difference between night and day if you
>> can plane it off.
>
> In the past we have usually only gone short distances
> in our dinghy.  For that kind of use a motor seemed
> likely to be more hassle than it is worth.
>
> If the distance you want to go is far enough to want a
> motor then I would imagine planing would make a huge
> difference.
>
> I always thought a tiny motor would be nice though.
> If it were cheap, operated with little hassle, and was
> VERY light it would be a great asset.  I never found
> one that matched that criteria well enough though.
>
>> Does anyone out there know what small outboards
>> have the lowest weight per hp?
>
> When I last researched this, it made a big difference
> what size you wanted.  With some brands if you are
> buying a 5 hp you might as well spring for a 6 hp
> because it weighs the same (in fact it is the same,
> but tuned differently).  Other brands base their 6 HP
> on the 9.9-15 hp model and they weigh a lot more than
> their 5.
>
> I think I remember that the 5 hp
> tohatsu-nissan-mercury (all basically the same motor)
> were lighter than the Suzuki or Honda by 3-5 pounds.
> I think the suzuki was ligher in the smallest motors.
>
> I did find that Nissan did a lousy job of stocking
> parts and backorders could go forever.  Mercury on the
> other hand seemed to be MUCH better in that regard.
> As a result I bought Mercury parts for my Nissan.  If
> I were to do it again I would buy the Mercury over the
> Nissan if the price was even close, just to reward
> their better service.
>
> Check well before you decide, as some of this may have
> changed or my memory may be faulty.
>
> Pete
> #554
>
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