T&T: Outboard motors

[Chuck and Susan]

Robert, While I do agree with all of your points, for many of us cruising, a
rowing dinghy is just not practical. At times we need to carry two people,
fuel or water jugs and groceries, all at the same time and at no time would I
consider that safe trying to row in a current the likes of what runs through
the anchorage in St. Augustine, Charleston, Beaufort and many other places we
have been. Not to mention the distances we need to travel at times from the
anchored boat to the nearest dinghy dock or wanting to dive or snorkel on a
reef. There are benefits to rowing but there are many times when it is not
practical or safe so an outboard is the only way to go in those times. Chuck

To follow our adventures, go to

http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/

http://sea-trek.blogspot.com/

--- On Sat, 5/2/09, Robert Deering <deering at ak.net> wrote:
 


What's wrong with oars?

If you're going to settle with running a small boat at hull speed for short
runs, why not just outfit yourself with a proper rowing dink?  A well found
rowing skiff is a pleasure to row - it's stable, light, quiet, simple, and
surprisingly fast.

Consider the other benefits:

 - After a day behind the wheel most of us need a bit of exercise.
 - One less motor to have to worry about
 - No need to carry flammable gasoline onboard
 - Lower cost
 - More reliable

I will admit that a rowing skiff motor may also suffer impairment when too
much ethanol is blended with the fuel, but nothing's perfect.

Bob Deering