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The dinghy engine, a small gasoline-operated engine with 2 to 5 HP, which pushes the Tender from A to B.
Of cause, there is always the laziness of the helmsman. To paddle would be also an option.
Well, this was my thinking until I sailed my first time in Greece. In contrast to the Baltic Sea, there is always a dinghy with outboard engine included.
After some time, I started to love this thing. It's nice to have if you have to transport your shoppings, check out shallow spots, work with the secondary anchor or remove thinks from the anchor you pulled up from the ground.
Now the problem: If you don't use this thing regulary, you usually have to clean the carburetor for around 30 minutes until the engine will comply and fulfill it's duty ;)
Moreover, at the Baltic Sea you hardly use a dinghy. That's why the engine sits all the time at the stern and the dinghy below the deck. This means: The engine sits in the elements and will slowly corrode and get slushy.
After some thinking, we found a closet behind the toilet, which has a 24cm wide door and is almost 1m high. The closet is hardly used, because the pipes from the toilet run inside of it. Since there is no floor it's mostly used to store junk.
The ruler told me: The engine will fit with 1cm space at each side!
Now the issue: How get this thing mounted in there? A standing position is not an option, because of the pipes and possible damage to the hull (of the engine).
Because the engine has to be placed inside the closet firstly and then clamped stuck securely (to clamp it from behind is no option - no space), there was the need of a removeable tray.
I prepared this at home and a nice crewmember did saw and rasp it for about 2 hours until it did fit nicely. Now you have to put the engine inside the closet, then lift it a bit to get the tray installed and then lift the clamps over it. Tighten the screws and it's done! I know - this sounds and is complicated, but with a little practice the job is finished in 2 minutes.
So! Thats is! Close the door, good night lillte engine ;) Your time will come!
PS: The propeller has to be removed, but thats easy to do.
Segler auf Steem? Knot!
