Dinghy Outboard Motors
Dinghy Outboard Motors
Skiffs – Versatile Small Boats
Boats of simple design have consistently turned up in archeological findings. The Indus civilization demonstrates the use of boats to transport goods by river. Those were without masts or sail, so would not have been suitable for sea travel. One, though, was discovered with a socket for a mast and eyeholes for rigging, so giving evidence of some sea travel in this era.
Boats have always been used for travel, even commuter travel. For instance there is example of the gondolas of Venice, and the commuter or sightseeing routes between and around the islands of Hong Kong. New York’s City’s Staten Island ferry to Lower Manhatten is another case in point.
The word Skiff has a general meaning in that it refers to a variety of small boats. In different locations, it has a more specific meaning. American usage tends to refer to a small boat for sea fishing. Traditionally, as with almost all small boats, they were made out of wood. They can be a small flat-bottomed open boat with a pointed bow and a flat stern. This type was favored by inland fishermen.
They have undergone various shape changes, depending on the circumstances of the time and the purpose for their use. They can be powered by oar, sail or motor though today outboard motors are the most popular means of powering them.
For the purposes of competition sailing, a skiff is considered to be a high performing dinghy. Some experts feel that this type of skiff is the hardest of all dinghies to sail because they have a narrow hull compared to the sail area which they can carry. In particular this applied to the 12′ skiff.
Australia has produced the 18′ skiff. It is the fastest class of sailing skiff, considered by some to be hard to sail, but once mastered, well worth the effort. You need to be very aware of your surroundings and to have very fast reflexes to handle the changes which can occur so suddenly while under sail, with this particular boat.
However, not all skiffs are built for sailing purposes. Some are built for the purpose of transport whether it be lake or other. They can be also be used as guide boats. Some of these are fitted with rod holders to switch their use to fishing if the mood should take the owner.
To view some skiffs, both rigid and inflatable visit the website below. On the right hand side menu you can also find boat plans which contain plans to build your own skiff.
About the Author
http://www.theboatingstore.co.cc/skiffs-to-view
Everything to do with small boats. New and used with reviews. You can buy, repair and furnish them. You can also add, maintain and be safe in them – or build them. Resources available to help make the right choice.
Outboard Motor Mount For Dinghy Sailboat?
I am looking for a mount that will attach to where the rudder usually goes on a boat. It does not have to be very strong mount (I will just be using a trolling motor). It is just for a small dinghy sailboat (sunfish, 12.5 feet). Just something that will attach to the pins on the back of the boat.
there are several ways to mount a trolling motor to your sunfish sailboat. one is to purchase a an extra rudder cheek and mount an aluminum plate that rises above it and mount the trolling motor to the plate. you could also modify the plate into a “T” shape so that the motor can mount facing forward. see the site below for the rudder cheek part.
http://shop.torresen.com/ships_store/index.php?p=details&return=http://www.sunfishdirect.com/sunfish.php?p=sunfish_rudder&ident=151877&imgsize=large
other considerations, having the motor on the transom may present problems, becaus of the distance from the cockpit to the transom you may find that you will either need a tiller extention for the trolling motor or you will need to site on the hull behind the cockpit. the rudder cheek mounting system will be a free swinging mount and will not allow the motor to be locked in position, if you release the trolling motor tiller the motor will steer uncontrollably.
a better idea. why not build a canoe type of motor mount that will be mounted across the back of the cockpit with the motor on one side of the boat. this will allow you to use the rudder for steerage and the motor can be locked in a straight ahead position or even used in reverse. building a canoe type motor mount is easy and low cost. it will also allow you to lower the sail and use the trolling motor.
http://www.jemwatercraft.com/proddetail.php?prod=MotorMount&cat=16
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/new/ash-motor-mount.html
hope this helps
hope this helps
Dinghy with Evinrude 4hp outboard motor