T&T: Dinghy lesson learned

[Bob Austin]

I have used dinghy motors on various size boats as get homes--they work
reasonably well, but as the boat gets bigger, prop  comming out of the water
heavy seas becomes a major problem.  What we did find was that we could get
2.5 knots with a 4.5 hp outboard on a 30 ton, 46 foot water line (motor
sailor) vessel pushing along side.  With 25 hp on a 13 foot inflatable,
pushing from the stern, we could get 5 knots in calm water.  But there is no
reserve for wind and wave.

The best way to maneuver a large boat, is to push--using the thrust of the
outboard in the dinghy as a "Rudder"  I was able to steer the large vessel
very precisely--problem was seeing ahead!  (had to climb up the ladder and
look foreward)--dinghy lashed to the stern with lines from the dinghy's bow
and transom to the stern.  This "push boat" is used in a number of charter
sail boats and sailing fishing boats.

Bob Austin