Do you carry a spare outboard?

[anotherT34C]

I carry an inexpensive electric as a 'spare'. I say 'spare' because these days, the electric is what I mostly use. The gas OB sits on the rail ready for longer distances or very choppy water, but the electric I can easily lift and carry with one hand, is silent, and always just works.

Plus, I can store it in the aft cabin closet.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by anotherT34C

I carry an inexpensive electric as a 'spare'. I say 'spare' because these days, the electric is what I mostly use. The gas OB sits on the rail ready for longer distances or very choppy water, but the electric I can easily lift and carry with one hand, is silent, and always just works.



Plus, I can store it in the aft cabin closet.

This is sort of what I am planning, but what did you decide to do for the battery and keeping it charged?

[Bill Streever]

I have a Portland Pudgy with a Torqeedo outboard, a sail kit, and oars. The sail kit is usually just for fun, but the oars have become our primary propulsion. Not for everyone, I know, and not for every situation, but oars as a backup to an engine offer a good solution for dinghies that can be rowed reasonably well. (Not such a good option for inflatables of course.)

We keep the torqeeedo in a locker. If it were on the rail or if we were in cruising grounds where motors were not such a theif-magnet we would likely use it more often, but as things stand rowing is usually our first choice. We routinely row distances of about 1 mile (20 minutes without wind) or so. Way more fun than a gym.

[RickG]

We bought a used 9’ AB ultralight dinghy that came with a Tohatsu 9.8 2-stroke. We bought a used Tohatsu 3.5 2-stroke at Boot Key Harbor because we couldn’t take the 9.8 above idle in the harbor and it was grumpy with no WOT time.

The 3.5 is good enough for anything less than 2 miles and decent weather. I can also lift the 3.5 with one hand and it’s easy for my lover to start. It is all we have used in the Bahamas. I expect we’ll use the 9.8 more in the Caribbean.

Cheers, RickG

[Amapola]

We are fortunate to have room for a second dink motor.

[boom23]

I have room for a spare outboard, but I plan to use the oars...
It doubles as exercise, which is always welcome!

[Group9]

We carry a 3.5 hp and a 9.8 horsepower. The 3.5 is a back up, but we put it on and run it from time to time to keep it running good. When you're cruising in a place like the out islands of the Bahamas, it sure is nice to have a spare. On our last Bahamas trip, we hit a rock with our 9.8 and bent the shaft. Without the 3.5, we would have had to just run it like it was and risk really messing things up.

And, we had an 11' Whaler that rowed like a dream (we have a 13 Del Quay dory now), but I still like motoring better most of the time.

[nwdiver]

Have a 5hp Honda and a pair of good oars

[wsmurdoch]

We have carried both a 3.5hp 2-cycle Tohatsu and a 8hp 2-cycle Tohatsu with us to the Bahamas on each of our last two (of twelve) trips. The 3.5 hp weighs 27 lb and is a one hand job to move between the boat and dinghy. It is great for running over to the beach or to the nearby dock. The 8hp needs a tackle to put on or take off the dinghy and has a gas tank that takes up dinghy space, but it will plane the dinghy with both of us aboard. It is great for a run to the reef to go snorkeling or to take a tour around the island. They both use the the same gas/oil mix. We also own a 9.9hp 4-cycle Yamaha, but at 88 lb neither of us is a fan. It stays at home, and my wife wants it out of the garage.

Bill
https://irish-eyes-to-the-bahamas.blogspot.com/

[Sailor 99]

Well I have a 20hp Tohatsu and an engine hoist. I think I will go with a couple of replacement propeller blades, a few fuel filters, an extra carburetor and a few extra ropes,spark plugs and a few zincs.



I have an old 8 hp yamaha but really I have no idea where I would put it.