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**Hudson Force** · 02-07-2013, 09:50

I like them down and I leave mine down at the dinghy dock, but if I'm in a place where it's too shallow at low tide; then, I make use of a small plastic bucket. I set the bucket over the prop of my raised dinghy engine and, with a small line, I tie it secure. I've received thanks from others for this simple solution. I've also seen "segregated" dinghy docking with "prop up" floats and "prop down" floats, but that's not common.

cfarrar · 02-07-2013, 11:33

At our home-port dinghy dock the decision is easy. You're not allowed to leave your dinghy with a motor on it.

sailorboy1 · 02-07-2013, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by triv

I've noticed at the local dinghy dock that most people leave the outboard on their tender down in the water, rather than tilted up and out.

Must be different at every marina. At mine everyone leaves theirs titled out of the water (except me because I'm special). Every time I come in and try to find a spot in the pack I feel like Edward Scissorhands of Freddy Kludger is reaching out to give me a hug.

David_Old_Jersey · 02-07-2013, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don L

Must be different at every marina. At mine everyone leaves theirs titled out of the water (except me because I'm special). Every time I come in and try to find a spot in the pack I feel like Edward Scissorhands of Freddy Kludger is reaching out to give me a hug.

Just a wild guess here, but you probably don't decapitate yerself (too many times!) and yer dink don't sink when left unattended.......

nwdiver · 02-07-2013, 12:56

If running into the outboard when its up is an issue maybe you should take up golf

I leave mine down if 1-3 hours and up if for a day or two, oh I'm only on salt water... on fresh water I would leave it down.....

BobnCamie · 23-01-2014, 18:36

Up somewhat hard on transom. Always transport outboard with motor down, why not park the same?

sailorboy1 · 23-01-2014, 18:51

At my marina the only person who leaves their outboard down is ................... me

BandB · 24-01-2014, 04:05

We use jet dinghies so don't have the issue.

Vasco · 24-01-2014, 04:20

Down with a long painter.

**Dockhead** · 24-01-2014, 04:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Funnily enough over here outboards are always left up on dinghy docks, and don't seem to cause any problems (including to other inflatable dinks).....part of that is due to necessity as the waters are tidal so the dinks and pontoons dry out (so can't leave o/b's down).

Personally I feel that if someone is getting a head injury from a tilted outboard they need to reconsider how they dock! In any event, propeller edges not really that sharp.

Sounds like o/b down works well for enough for dinghy docks which are used only for folks coming and going short term (and who like to dock at 90mph?!), but if a permanent arrangement can't see that leaving the prop in the water 24/7 will do the o/b much good.

I think the OP is talking about dingy docks where people anchored or moored out come in on their dinghies for relatively short periods -- not permanent berths.

Yes, in your neck of the woods with the incredible (even by English Channel standards) tides, most of your harbors dry out, so you must put the engine up -- no other way. But elsewhere in the Channel ports -- wherever it doesn't dry out -- the etiquette seems to be the same as what is promoted here -- motor down and long painter. As others have said: the protruding prop is a hazard to people and dinghy tubes, and increases the space taken up by the parked dink.