Honda 5hp or Tohatsu/Nissan 6?

Hi Bill,

Regarding the weight with the Grizzley Claw, I don't think it added a great deal of weight. When the tender was delivered, it was folded very compactly in a carrying tarp, for lack of a better word. The tarp is not an enclosed bag, you can fold it up over the boat and wrap with the attached ties. However, we have not packed it back the same way since we purchased it. We have kept it inflated.

I don't think it would be a big problem to deflate it, fold it back up, and wrap it back into the tarp, we just haven't done it. Sorry, wish I could be of more help.

Peter
C-Dancer
 
It took me a while, but after communicating with Les, I decided buy a 6 HP Nissan 4 stroke for my Mercury inflatable. I wanted to use the same motor as an emergency kicker. But the inflatable uses a 15" shaft and the 22' uses a 20" shaft. It was decided that since my primary use would be on the inflatable, I would go with a 15" shaft. For the occassional use on the 22', I would use a motor mount that would lower the motor to the proper depth while at the same time move the motor out to clear the trim tabs.

With this in mind, I chose a Fulton mount (saltwater) that has 14 1/2" of travel. Instead of directly mounting the Fulton mount to the transom, I used a mounting plate that allows the Fulton mount to slide in and out. This way, when the kicker is not in use, there is no empty (ugly) motor mount hanging from the transom.

I wanted to mount the kicker on the starboard side which puts the tiller close to the 90HP Honda. So we offset the mount to give clearance. This will also allow us to attach a steering attachment from the main to the kicker so I can steer from the helm. I can still raise the kicker out of the water when not in use.

I posted some pictures in the Swee Pea album if anyone is interested.

John
Swee Pea
 
The Tohatsu 5-6 hp are a smaller block than the 8/9.9 hp engines--and lighter.

The 20" shaft on a 15" dinghy transom will be awkward when comming onto a beach. You will have to pull the motor up in 5" deeper water, and you will not able to be get the lower unit quite as far out of the water. If you try and plane with the smaller motor the boat may tend to be slightly less stable on a plane/semi plane.

You can extend a dinghy transom to 20" by rebuilding it. This means use of epoxy and plywood/probably an alunium plate for re-inforcement.
 
I investigated the transom elevator. I even designed one made out of plywood. I decided that since the Nissan 6 hp's primary use would be the inflatable, I decided to purchase the correct shaft for it and use the Fulton motor bracket for use on the 22'. The only time it will be used on the C Dory will be in an emergency. I think this will work best for my intended purpose.

John
Swee Pea
 
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