Small Sailboat Cruising's video: Why did I Install an inboard marine engine in my cruising dinghy

Installing an inboard motor in a cruising dinghy is worth considering. But why install an inboard marine engine? Is it best to install and authentic vintage engine, or is a modern light-weight motor a better solution? Like the bearings in my boat, The effects of 20 years in the timber flooring business mean that my back, knees and, shoulders took a massive beating. After taking seaweed daily as “functional food” for a few months, I discovered I could do squats without pain. I was totally amazed because I used to have to pull myself up on a doorpost. It is helping me a lot, and now I can see a future sailing into my 70’s 80’s and beyond. If you try some, you will be helping me keep producing these videos, and doing your body a huge favour. Here is where you can get it…. https://business.facebook.com/sailingmoonlight/shop/?rt=19 A small cruising dinghy or sailboat might have either a small outboard, such as a Seagull or a simple set of oars. Personally, I don't like the appearance of an outboard motor mounted on the transom of a classic wooden Dinghy so you might like to try a DIY boat motor For more detailed information and sailing trailer boats, go to https://sailingmoonlight.com 00:00 Setting out on the Maroochy River for a day's motoring upstream 01:46 How she is set up 02:24 The universal coupling 02:29 Close up of the propellor 03:35 The advantages of no mast The distances covered across open water mean we often rely on the motor to get us safely to our destination when the wind drops or gets too strong to sail safely. Whether cruising or sailing in Moonlight, I find the safety and convenience of our inboard motor gives me peace of mind. Moonlight is a 12 ft clinker sailing dinghy built from Huon Pine in Tasmania around 1980 and sailed on Tasmania's East Coast, Freycinet Peninsula, and inland waters. We moved to Queensland 10 years ago, and now we enjoy the waters of South East Queensland South of the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island. Why Install an inboard motor in a sailing dinghy? I first installed a 45-year-old wing motor in Moonlight back in 1980. I also have one in my shed ready to restore when I get around to it. It must be more than 80 years old. They were built, along with their big brother, the Pilot, in the years after the war using recycled aluminium from redundant aircraft. Wings were water-cooled side valve motors producing about 2 ½ horsepower. Most of the inboard marine engines of the era did not survive, because they were built from cast iron, and they had water-jackets that rusted out over time. Being made from Aluminium has a number of advantages. You would not normally put an inboard in such a small boat because of the excessive weight of the cast-iron engines. Water cooling means skin-fittings and a lot of extra work to plumb them in. The side-valve Wing is a great solution apart from 2 issues. First is that the side-valve configuration required what is described and “splash fed and thorough” lubrication. Not only was the motor thoroughly splashed with oil, but the entire bilge of the boat would receive a comprehensive covering of sticky black oil. A full rebuild of the Wing Engine did not solve the problem, and John, my mentor at the time later informed me that they sprayed oil even from brand new. Follow Christopher sailing trailer boats, wooden boat projects, fibreglass boat restoration projects on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailingmoonlight We have a healthy and growing community conversation about all things sailing, and you are welcome to join us on Sailing Beat https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingbeat/ Follow Sailing Moonlight on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailing_moonlight_dinghy/ Get Updates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dinghymoonlight Christopher is staying fit, mentally sharp and extending his life on Superfood Sea vegetables. Convenient healthy grub for authentic sailors crammed full of zing. If you use my personal coupon code CHRIS you will get a 10% discount. https://seaweed.ph/ref/1/ These videos are made possible by people like you. If you would like to get early access to videos and behind the scenes insights, consider supporting the channel via my Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/sailingmoonlight Discover how I can help you realize your dreams and attain complete freedom through life coaching. I am available as your mentor regardless of where you live, on land or sea. https://businesspilot.com.au www.linkedin.com/in/christophersly There are some affiliate links on this page that give us a small commission. All our music is licensed from Artlist https://artlist.io/Christopher-1171683 unless otherwise noted. Predict Wind is an app I use and highly value. See just how helpful it is for sailors like you and me. Go to https://www.predictwind.com/?ref=christophersly