storage location for outboard

Jimmy v

New Member
May 26, 2018
10
San Joaquin Delta California
Boat Info
1999 Sun Dancer 340DA
Engines
7.4 Murcruiser with V drives
I have an inflatable dingy mounted on the swim platform and keep the 8 hp outboard engine in the mid cabin. Does anyone have a unique place to store the outboard for the dingy freeing up the mid cabin?
 
I used to mount an outboard on the swim platform of a 300 Weekender. There was a special fitting the mounted to the platform that the motor brackets clamped onto and it worked well. Don't have a picture but I'll bet they still make brackets for this purpose that you can find online.
 
That’s a lot of engine to be moving around frequently. How do you use the dinghy? I’ve tried everything from a 9.9hp, 4hp, to what a I currently have, which is a torqueedo (equivalent of 3.5hp). I use it to get to and from shore and works extremely well. Very reliable and lite weight. I break it down and it stores under he pull out bed in the back berth. I have it attached to an Achilles lite weight inflatable RIB and have used this set up for 4 years. Just a thought...
 
You might be able to slide the engine under a cockpit seat but weaver David’s sells an outboard motor bracket the you could put on the swim platform that is designed for a small dinghy engine
Do not store the motor in the cabin or engine room as there is always some gas in it and it’s a fire risk
 
I just keep it on the dinghy for the season.
 

Attachments

  • 11E2CC67-D6CA-456C-9022-B704B1AEF639.jpeg
    11E2CC67-D6CA-456C-9022-B704B1AEF639.jpeg
    153.4 KB · Views: 415
We have a SeaWise http://seawisemarine.com/ system. It works well. We have a 2 stroke 5HP Merc. I leave it on the dingy. I do not have the swing attachment on the motor. It is the one that makes the motor stay horizontal. It weight is the same as the 5HP. The motor stays attached to the dingy. I saw some one with a 25HP 2 stroke Merc do the same.
 
I have one of these. It's a St. Croix motor mount. I have it on my swim platform. Works very well, removable, and lightweight.

motor-bracket.gif
 
I have one of these. It's a St. Croix motor mount. I have it on my swim platform. Works very well, removable, and lightweight.

motor-bracket.gif
I had something similar on my 300 Weekender. This is a practical solution for that sized boat. Some of the other ideas work best on bigger hulls.
 
I have a compartment right before I step down into the cabin that allows access to the fresh water tank. I keep a 3.5 Tohatsu in there. It weighs a whopping 28 lbs, so it's easy to move around.
 
I had something similar on my 300 Weekender. This is a practical solution for that sized boat. Some of the other ideas work best on bigger hulls.

The only problem with this on a 340 is that there is no room left on the platform for the dinghy itself. I'm assuming the OP is keeping the dink on the platform, hence the question about where to put the motor? I could have this wrong though.

I keep my 3.5hp motor on the floor at the helm. It slides neatly in between the captains chair and the bench. I suspect an 8hp may not fit, however.

Short of getting a cover for your dinghy/motor and leaving it on the platform 100% of the time in the horizontal position I don't think you're going to find a super slick solution to this storage conundrum on a boat like ours. We don't have particularly large cockpits and out transom lockers won't store much more than a few swimming noodles...
 
I leave mine on the dinghy
 

Attachments

  • 8-23-17 040.JPG
    8-23-17 040.JPG
    115.6 KB · Views: 333
The only problem with this on a 340 is that there is no room left on the platform for the dinghy itself. I'm assuming the OP is keeping the dink on the platform, hence the question about where to put the motor? I could have this wrong though.

I keep my 3.5hp motor on the floor at the helm. It slides neatly in between the captains chair and the bench. I suspect an 8hp may not fit, however.

Short of getting a cover for your dinghy/motor and leaving it on the platform 100% of the time in the horizontal position I don't think you're going to find a super slick solution to this storage conundrum on a boat like ours. We don't have particularly large cockpits and out transom lockers won't store much more than a few swimming noodles...
We used a Zodiac bag boat on the 30 foot boat that we used only when cruising. For us, keeping the boat in the storage bag in the cockpit worked. On this sized boat there is not enough room on the platform to keep a rigged dingy there while running offshore. The Zodiac took about 15 minutes to inflate. Having the motor stored on the platform was a good solution because it made installation easier aside.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,865
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top