How to use a dinghy outboard

All sailors who use dinghies come across challenges such as the contortions required to get a dinghy outboard onto the transom. Rachael Sprot shares her advice and top tips

Outboards have changed dramatically over the past decade.

Most yachts prioritise ease of handling and stowage over performance and range, which has led to a steady uptake in electric engines, but prop wraps and heavy transfers are still an issue.

Loss of power, for whatever reason, is equally to be avoided.

Some sailors use a trolling motor with a stand-alone battery.

The system keeps the boat well-balanced as the heavy battery could sit in the bow, but it can be vulnerable to water ingress.

An engine with a sealed battery pack would require less vigilance.

Lifting a dinghy outboard

Transferring the outboard to the tender is a precarious process, but easier with an electric motor where the battery can be separated.

An outboard lifting harness or dedicated lifting arm such as the Forespar Nova Lift, gives purchase power and security for bigger engines.

Two fit crew might find manually passing a small outboard with a safety lanyard is quicker and easier.

Secure the dinghy alongside with the transom under the engine lift point and make sure that the person on the boat is strong enough to lower the weight all the way to the dinghy.

The person in the dinghy shouldn’t do much weight bearing as they have a much less stable surface to work on.

They just need to kneel in the transom and guide it into place. This process is much easier on a modern electric outboard where the heavy battery can be handled separately to the awkward motor and shaft.

Before lifting any engine, open the clamp pad screws fully. This makes it easier to locate onto the bracket.

Starting the outboard

Familiarise yourself with the controls before starting – the throttle, gear lever, engine tilt, steering lock and stop button.

Be sparing with the choke or you may flood the engine.

Check for the water tell-tale once the engine’s running.

In a small boat, it’s worth starting the engine before the crew get in to avoid the classic elbow-to-face during energetic pulling of the start cord.

Handling a dinghy outboard

Handling characteristics vary considerably depending on how powerful the engine is and how many people are in it.

Without a keel or ballast dinghies rely on form stability and crew positioning to stay upright so arrange weight carefully.

Leeway is inevitable and must be taken into account when setting off.

Small petrol engines and electric outboard motors lack the oomph to compete with a headwind or strong current, so aim for an uptide or upwind landing point.

In recent years there have been several tragic accidents involving fast RIBs.

Most yachts don’t carry powerful outboards, but if speed’s your thing it’s essential to get some training.

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