Why did I Install an inboard in my cruising dinghy?

Installing an inboard 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?

#inboardmotor #installinganinboard #inboard
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.

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[peterbarnes]

Hello Christopher, I notice you just have a direct drive with no clutch. Have you considered making a simple cone clutch for it. They work extremely well as the thrust from the prop keeps it engaged with the added benefit of if you run aground and the prop hits the sand or whatever it will slip thus losing thrust and automatically disengages. Bit hard on the prop if you hit a rock but anything else seems to do no damage. When I was about 11 years of age I made one for a little inboard engined dinghy that my dad made me. As you found, he had to help me bore the shaft hole. I did all the rest. I might add that we had no power tools in those days, just a hand operated post drill, taps and dies, hacksaw, files, etc. a few visits to the local rubbish tip and I had all I needed.

[emmottataolcom]

Christopher, By ("taking ) assume you mean eating" seaweed..? do you mean kelp? thanks.

[waderogers]

That little inboard looks like it’s just perfect for your boat. I bet it just sips the gasoline too. I used to have a little 2.7 hp two stroke engine for my inflatable dinghy for a few years but it finally quit working and now you can’t buy them here in the United States. You have to go into Canada to buy them. Was a loud engine, but it sure worked great and only weighed about 16 pounds.

[rexhake]

I am planning something along your lines and have a couple of questions .Did you use the motor with reduction gears ? Which motor is it ? What is the normal rpm of the motor when cruising ?Thanks

[briansmythe]

I used too live in Maroochydore for a few years back in the late 80's
Bet it's changed a lot these days never had the chance too go back

[brentbargery]

Is that a centrifugal clutch on the drive shaft. I have a small lake boat built in the 70's and the inboard has no clutch at all so when you start the motor you are immediately moving. Also I'm wondering about the drive shaft box going out of the boat.

[alexberkuta]

Hi - I have a WING motor stored away, spent 20 years under water, cleaned up and fresh oil and away she ran. Used it in an old 14' plywood boat until it shook itself to pieces. Loved the simplicity of that motor and cruised all around St Georges basin with the kids. It was direct drive from the huge flywheel to the bronze propshaft.

Will now look at building a new boat for it, or maybe do as you have and obtain a small 2 1/2hp 4 stroke that seem so cheap (and lighter). Do you have any links to information on the WING ??? - Alex

[bigtopmedia]

Looking to do something similar, what is the pitch and diameter of your propeller? Thanks.

[JohnSmith-uwur]

Growing rapidly! . They are destroying the place.

[iankirkpatrick]

Great old clinker. I had an idea for a book once. "Roves n Resebond". but I'm too old now...

[captlarry-]

lovely copper rivet fastened hull ! I think a clutch could be fitted pretty easily.. which would be a real help.

[Tsanhjera]

He'll Christopher I like your boat setup with outboard Honda engine. My question is as to how you change direction. The prop shafts is straight from the video

[southamericanrocker]

Nice video thanks! How do you deal with the exhaust gases? Is the exhaust routed to the back of the boat?

[bosshoggett]

Did you buy the prop shaft and stuffing box somewhere or knew someone with a lathe etc.

[Nerdy_Things]

Awesome conversion, I have a spare dog clutch if your interested, left over from my conversion.