We attach a line to the outboard that is long enough to get it in to the dinghy, but short enough to keep the engine part out of salt water (we don't worry about the leg). I liked the "swamp marsh" anchorage. That looked well sheltered, but I was rather bemused by the assertion that anchoring is "usually free of charge" 😮
Woohoo, so after a week of searching the South Hams, we finally got a glimpse of YT celebratries Sea Pigeon, south of Dartmouth. Looks like they were preparing to fly a spinnaker 🙂
On the topic of getting the outboard into the dinghy, I have a short (about 1.25m) length of line attached to mine, and gently lower it into the bottom of the dinghy before I get in, likewise get out first and lift it out with the rope. That means you are never having to get in and out carrying the motor. It makes life a lot easier.
On the handling of outboard motors, I first had a 6HP but that was quite heavy, so i also had a small crane (mounted on the stern rail). That worked for a time but later decided to get rid of both and bought a 2.1/2hp Japanese outboard. Its so light that it can be easily handed by one person with one hand. Sure, the dingy wont go on the plane but who needs that? Another thing - you might check the weight and fuel consumption of the Mercury. American outboards generally have lower compression (easier to start) but that means more size, weight and fuel consumption. Japanese outboards (Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda) require more effort to start but are lighter and more economical. My Suzuki 2.1/2 seems to go for ever without refueling and its powerful enough to take my wufe, me abd a bunch of shopping against a 5 kt tidal stream. Best of all, for weight, is the two-stroke equivalent but i doubt if the are sold in the UK.
We previously had a 2 stroke 2.5 Hp very light but under powered and not as reliable as the 4 stroke. Also the bother of having to mix the two stroke was just one more thing to go wrong. The current mercury has proved very reliable.
All looks lovely. Thanks for the tips. We have removed the seat from our dinghy. We never sit on it and it just gets in the way. More room for the dog.
Yep. If we row I use one oar and skull. Qw have a life vest for the dog with a handle. He is not as co operative as yours (jumping in the dinghy) :-) @@MaxineEwins
I have dived Barn Pool and its thick sticky mud in the deeper bits with all sorts of junk on the bottom. Old pontoons, wire and pipes all over the place. Oh and black as the ace of spades. You were right to rig a tripping line.
Many years ago i did a degree in Underwater Science at Plymouth University. Part of the course was to do a magnetometer scan of Plymouth Sound. This measures any very small magnetic anomaly's on the sea bed. When we did the Barn Pool area it showed some very large square anomalies as well as uncharted cables. We never did find out what they were. But your explanation now makes sense of the survey..
Hi Stephen. Most costal sights are free for anchoring in the UK. But more and more rivers are bringing in what they call a Navigation Fee. If tis is in place then for a 10m boat we get charged on average £10.00. The rivers local to me that charge are Dart, Salcombe, Falmouth and i am sure people can add many more to this list.
River authorities will charge a navigation fee sometimes. If they don't patrol the river, and often they don't, then it's free. £10 seems to be the average in the West, in the south east it may be more.
@user-rx8fb3zp1m Left Vancouver, Canada in 2017 and coastal hopped south over five years, now in Panama. Some Californian cities (and Vancouver itself) sometimes place a maximum of one or two weeks anchoring but dont charge you. Only exception is anchoring in a few special marine parks, in Mexico or Costa Rica, but that is the same fee that motorists pay. Of course, many traditional anchorages have been filled up with mooring balls (some official, some unofficial, and you get charged for using them.
We attach a line to the outboard that is long enough to get it in to the dinghy, but short enough to keep the engine part out of salt water (we don't worry about the leg). I liked the "swamp marsh" anchorage. That looked well sheltered, but I was rather bemused by the assertion that anchoring is "usually free of charge" 😮
Woohoo, so after a week of searching the South Hams, we finally got a glimpse of YT celebratries Sea Pigeon, south of Dartmouth. Looks like they were preparing to fly a spinnaker 🙂
Yes that was us. I'm still learning to use the spinnaker . Solo spinnaker flying can sure make you use some colourfull language.
On the topic of getting the outboard into the dinghy, I have a short (about 1.25m) length of line attached to mine, and gently lower it into the bottom of the dinghy before I get in, likewise get out first and lift it out with the rope. That means you are never having to get in and out carrying the motor. It makes life a lot easier.
That sounds like a good idea, Also i should use a safety rope.
I like the sound of that, thanks.
On the handling of outboard motors, I first had a 6HP but that was quite heavy, so i also had a small crane (mounted on the stern rail). That worked for a time but later decided to get rid of both and bought a 2.1/2hp Japanese outboard. Its so light that it can be easily handed by one person with one hand. Sure, the dingy wont go on the plane but who needs that? Another thing - you might check the weight and fuel consumption of the Mercury. American outboards generally have lower compression (easier to start) but that means more size, weight and fuel consumption. Japanese outboards (Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda) require more effort to start but are lighter and more economical. My Suzuki 2.1/2 seems to go for ever without refueling and its powerful enough to take my wufe, me abd a bunch of shopping against a 5 kt tidal stream. Best of all, for weight, is the two-stroke equivalent but i doubt if the are sold in the UK.
We previously had a 2 stroke 2.5 Hp very light but under powered and not as reliable as the 4 stroke. Also the bother of having to mix the two stroke was just one more thing to go wrong. The current mercury has proved very reliable.
This sounds like an affordable option. Thanks.
All looks lovely. Thanks for the tips. We have removed the seat from our dinghy. We never sit on it and it just gets in the way. More room for the dog.
Good idea. Do you sit on the side?
Yep. If we row I use one oar and skull. Qw have a life vest for the dog with a handle. He is not as co operative as yours (jumping in the dinghy) :-) @@MaxineEwins
We met you at Fishcombe Cove the other week ... our Remigo electric outboard would be perfect! Super light and easy to attach
It's probably the solution.
At some point we will be going down the Electrical route but at the moment they are jus too expensive.
We have an electric outboard now.
I have dived Barn Pool and its thick sticky mud in the deeper bits with all sorts of junk on the bottom. Old pontoons, wire and pipes all over the place. Oh and black as the ace of spades. You were right to rig a tripping line.
Really? Sounds horrible. I will feel differently about dropping our lovely new Rocna there.😮 I would hate to lose it.
Many years ago i did a degree in Underwater Science at Plymouth University. Part of the course was to do a magnetometer scan of Plymouth Sound. This measures any very small magnetic anomaly's on the sea bed. When we did the Barn Pool area it showed some very large square anomalies as well as uncharted cables. We never did find out what they were. But your explanation now makes sense of the survey..
Yuck. Sounds horrible. Don't think I'll swim there again.
You menton anchoring is often free. Do some communities in the UK charge for anchoring?
Hi Stephen. Most costal sights are free for anchoring in the UK. But more and more rivers are bringing in what they call a Navigation Fee. If tis is in place then for a 10m boat we get charged on average £10.00. The rivers local to me that charge are Dart, Salcombe, Falmouth and i am sure people can add many more to this list.
River authorities will charge a navigation fee sometimes. If they don't patrol the river, and often they don't, then it's free. £10 seems to be the average in the West, in the south east it may be more.
Where are you?
@user-rx8fb3zp1m Left Vancouver, Canada in 2017 and coastal hopped south over five years, now in Panama. Some Californian cities (and Vancouver itself) sometimes place a maximum of one or two weeks anchoring but dont charge you. Only exception is anchoring in a few special marine parks, in Mexico or Costa Rica, but that is the same fee that motorists pay. Of course, many traditional anchorages have been filled up with mooring balls (some official, some unofficial, and you get charged for using them.
Filling up an anchorage with mooring balls is just spiteful. How are you going to drop anchor? The risk of entanglement is real.
Promo`SM 🙏