Outboard Boom Crane

[Crikey]

Getting the boat ready for our first week trip this season, I was forced to think about how to handle the small dinghy outboard we are now carrying for our inflatable. What I came up with involves using the boom with the sail up-haul set out as a topping lift, to hold the boom up with the engine weight attached. Next I disconnected, then reversed the position of the boom pulleys to put the cam at the top in order to allow control of the line from the boat with the boom swung out.
Finally, I bought a little doggie harness for $5 bucks from our local 'Giant Tiger' store that was perfect for securing the outboard (Suzuki 2.5hp - 35lbs) to a shackle on the boom pulley. It even came with a blinking red LED band which will prove very 'blingy' at night doing loading or un-loading operations in the dark.
We double checked at a Petsmart store and saw exactly the same thing with a $35 sticker on it! Plenty strong enough - Woof!



I did say five bucks, didn't I?

Ross

[JohnCFI]

What's the SWL on that little snap-hook?? Unless it has a rated SWL I don't think I would be happy swinging a load on it like that, particularly if it (the load) were to head to Davy Jones Locker if it broke!

We have a little 2.5 HP for our dinghy, and I just lift if over the side to the admiral, who is in the dinghy. But I always have a safety line on the engine which is cleated off. After she guides it into the dinghy we swap places, and I fix it in place, only then do we release the safety line..

[Crikey]

Good observation John! Actually it was one of my left over little brass thingies that I kluged up for the dry-run in the driveway. I'm going to replace the little linking rope with a cheap dog collar and substitute some stronger kind of quick release SS clasp in place of the proof-of-concept 'thingie'. This, combined with another kind of harness would be strong enough to hoist a full 12gal fuel tank aboard. My Admiral is mobility limited, which makes these kind of machinations necessary for me.
How's your winter going this year?

Ross

[JohnCFI]

Actually we have had quite a few 'nice' days and none of the really bad (well just a few days) so far... I just wish the boat was in a useable condition at the moment because I could have had some great days out!! Unfortunately I have her at home, and with quite a few jobs on the go on board, so it's just not an option, sadly.

Mind you I get just as much fun tinkering with the boat as having her on the water. I have dismasted for next season, and am planning only on motoring, so have a stub mast in place for lights and antennas, etc.. I have almost completed a steering conversion, getting rid of all the hardware on the aft deck, and linking straight into the engines tilt tube, with simple drag links for the rudders (got the rudders off for next year as well). Amazing how much extra space there is on the afterdeck, and no more trip hazards. I am also fitting a new radio, this time above the table (where I nav from). its a Standard Horizon G2100E with internal AIS, I also have the Ram3 mic/display extension on the helm, and I am trying to link it all up with the Garmin 451s also on the helm, so I get position for the AIS & DSC and an AIS feed to the Plotter. Presently having a few issues with the AIS side.

I have a bit of a mobility thing, with my knee, but usually I am OK on the boat, its walking any more than short distances that gets me....

[JohnCFI]

Probably not this season, but I would like to look into a remote/autopilot steering system, so we can lock on a course for long runs, and be able to steer from the chart/cabin table. Somehow I think I will have to redo my steering mods a bit to allow this.

Any suggestions anyone?

I had thought of one of those tiller pilots, but they all seem to have the controls on the device, not in a box I can mount in the cabin..

[Crikey]

It'd be nice to see some pictures of your boat, and environs some day. We're looking into a house downsize on the water somewhere around here, and I'm hoping for a boathouse or shed that'll allow me some more 'off' season mod time. About the time I'm getting into the swing of things the Admiral starts nagging me into actually getting the boat in the water and using it. She's right of course!
Absolutely need a new radio system as well. Let us know how your choice pans out. I like the idea of a remote mike model with all the bells. John - pop your autopilot query into a separate thread. You might find more people sharing their thoughts instead of in my dinky (dinghy) mod entry. I'm leaning that way as well so you'll probably get my 2 cents worth.
Hope the knee improves...

Ross

[JohnCFI]

Started a new thread as you suggested re the tiller....


I already love the radio, it works fine, it's just the link for the AIS that's playing up and I will get it sorted, I think the problem lies in my interpreting three sets of wire colours, all of which are different!! (the vagaries of living on a small Island and having to 'make do'..

I will certainly recommend the radio right now. It is a Standard Horizon G2100 with DSC and AIS, the extension is a RAM3 unit which duplicates all functions at the second station.

AIS only works with a position available to the radio, you can either key it in or feed it in via NMEA0183 from a plotter or GPS.

[Crikey]

Thanks John, will look into that model!

Ross

[JohnCFI]

Aparently the 2150 is worth a look at too

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS. ... Archived=0

Good luck

[Catigale]

Nice job on the tender motor crane. Anything bigger than you 2.5 hp gets tough to handle passing between mother ship and tender. It was a real chore to pass outer 4 HP between transom mount and dinghy until we got the system down.

I've heard there are a couple of idiots on this Board who have actually dropped their motor overboard doing it, too...

[JohnCFI]

Ross,

I have it all working fine now, just like the book says. AIS targets on the Plotter Screen, plus ability to call direct from plotter or radio, plus DSC list on the plotter too.

My wiring was fine, but there are two settings in the GPS config to turn on AIS & DSC operations that I had not noticed. It might vary with other Plotters though.

I am really impressed with the whole setup.

[Crikey]

Nice job on the tender motor crane. Anything bigger than you 2.5 hp gets tough to handle passing between mother ship and tender. It was a real chore to pass outer 4 HP between transom mount and dinghy until we got the system down.
I've heard there are a couple of idiots on this Board who have actually dropped their motor overboard doing it, too...

We never used one of this style when our dog was alive. I guess we chose the smaller spaniel type - which, regardless, seems amazingly strong. It would support my weight (185lbs +/-) if I tried. The choice was largely dictated by the fit of the straps around the motor and you could always migrate up to the 'Bull Mastif' model if necessary.
What continues to amaze me when I constantly see all this stuff, mostly very cheap these days, is the overwhelming volume of the production. Is half of south east Asia doing cottage industry's in their back yards?
As for idiots dropping their stuff in the drink - I thought you dropped yours in your bath-tub!

R.

[Divecoz]

JFYI.. My Minkota 50 LB 12VDC troller pushes our 9.9" Inflatable for over 2 hours with 2 aboard nicely .. The battery was then down to 12.2 VDC..
My "89" 6 HP Evinrude now sits waiting for a jon boat : )

[Highlander]

Ross
Get the Bull Mastif one ,so u can wear while boat hopping , beats swimming with a scotch in yer hand

J

[March]

Love it! I'll get one too--if they sell them in the States. They might be illegal here, for all I know.

Is there a mod where you attach a dinghy outboard to the back of the transom, as a backup little unit? I got one too this summer (3.5 HP) and I am beginning to worry about how to transport/store it it when I don't use the dinghy