Pietro
Active Member
I purchased a new Zodiac YL310 R & a Yamaha 15 hp 2-stroke last spring (replaced the 15 hp with an 8 hp Yamaha/2-stroke........ found the 15 to be too heavy to remove and the faster speed really wasn't a priority for me). Spent the summer checking out mounting systems at marinas and speaking with other boat owners., as well as a lot of time on the internet
Really liked the Nautley & Hurley systems (even spent quite a bit of time looking at the St. Croix roller system, but my platform isn't wide enough). My main concern was about backwash when coming off plane and also how the inflatable would ride when in a big following sea.
I have finally decided on a mounting system and am having my dealer install removable Weaver brkts to my swim platform, pad on bow of inflatable and brkt/arm mount for the stern. Will also have stand-offs installed. My thinking is that with the stern bracket/arm mount I can purchase the Weaver motor bracket at a later date and leave the motor on the dinghy if removing the motor becomes a hassle. The stern bracket mount is more substantial than the pad mount. To pull the inflatable up I might go with a block & tackle also (like a Schaeffer or Lewmar boom vang.....I'm an old sailor).
I also like the fact that the inflatable can be attached to the plaform when boarding and exiting the dinghy........stable & safe.
Max, I have been using the weaver motor braket for some 5 years. It is infact really convenient as you will never remove the engine again, but... it destroys the dinghy's tube. When the dinghy is stored vertically, the engine weight is completely pushing on the lower tube. The joint between transom and tube is really stressed and will come apart very soon... this is why I will go to Nautley or Hurley as soon as I will have the new longer platfom installed.