Connie, I enjoyed all your iterations on the dinghy. Thanks very much. Our current inflatable is actually quite good for rowing. This was a surprise compared to others we have used. We do fold it up and stow it across the stern, even though it does squat it deeper. It is possible to put it forward, but not terribly convenient. I don't know, but suspect that the right hard dinghy would tow better than a slat floor dinghy. But what would we gain? 1/2 knot? Heck, we be cruising, so why the rush? :) Thanks for all the info. Bill On Tue, Jun 19, 2012 at 6:12 PM, Conbert Benneck <chbenneck@sbcglobal.net>wrote:
Hi Bill,
In my Third Iteration I said,
In those days the engines were encased in a cover.
Correct that to read, the engines were not encased in a cover - i.e., the cylinder, spark plug and high tension wire were out in the open.
Salt spray kills the ignition instantly when it lands on the high tension lead and the spark plug.
Trying to clean it with a Kleenex doesn't do the job. You just have to start rowing again...
Modern outboard engines all have complete cowls around the engine so that salt spray can't get to the high tension wire and the porcelain of the spark plugs.
That is a major improvement.
Connie