Waterproofing an outboard

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jj1000

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Hello Chaps

Does anyone have any experience waterproofing an outboard? I will soon finish sticking a Mirror Dinghy together and am looking forward to the champaign launch, glug, glug (the champaign, not the dinghy I hope).

Anyway, I'd like to use an outboard to get down the river to the sea and then start sailing. When I capsize, which I'm sure to do even in a Mirror, and turn turtle then the outboard clamped to the stern is going to get a bit miffed and I'm going to have to row home. Is there some sort of 'dry-suit' I can put on the engine to keep it happy?

Cheers John
 

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jj1000 said:
Hello Chaps

Does anyone have any experience waterproofing an outboard? I will soon finish sticking a Mirror Dinghy together and am looking forward to the champaign launch, glug, glug (the champaign, not the dinghy I hope).

Anyway, I'd like to use an outboard to get down the river to the sea and then start sailing. When I capsize, which I'm sure to do even in a Mirror, and turn turtle then the outboard clamped to the stern is going to get a bit miffed and I'm going to have to row home. Is there some sort of 'dry-suit' I can put on the engine to keep it happy?

Cheers John
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when i built my kit within it was a couple of sticks that one affixed 2 x ply blades, these proved to be water proof & were deployed either side of the dinghy via rowlocks
 
Food for thought, thanks Sailorman. But I'd need some sort of waterproof crew to power said sticks - possibly a series of single use disposable crews would be best.
 
jj1000 said:
Hello Chaps

Does anyone have any experience waterproofing an outboard? I will soon finish sticking a Mirror Dinghy together and am looking forward to the champaign launch, glug, glug (the champaign, not the dinghy I hope).

Anyway, I'd like to use an outboard to get down the river to the sea and then start sailing. When I capsize, which I'm sure to do even in a Mirror, and turn turtle then the outboard clamped to the stern is going to get a bit miffed and I'm going to have to row home. Is there some sort of 'dry-suit' I can put on the engine to keep it happy?

Cheers John
Click to expand...


Id not think it practical to sail a Mirror with an outboard on the transom. The main sheet will get caught on it ... then you will capsize!
It'll get in the way of the rudder and tiller as well I think you will find

If its windy enough to capsize its windy enough to sail so you won't need an engine

I used to carry my Seagull 40+ lashed to blocks in the bottom of the boat and the CB case in light wind conditions when there was a possibility of running out of wind but no chance of capsize.
I have never capsized the Mirror unintentionally.

When not carrying the engine the oars lash either side of the CB case

The RNLI waterproof outboard engines but I don't think they make their water proofing methods generally known.


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Mirrors row fairly well,especially with one occupant.An outboard as said will be an encumbrance to sailing as a novice and give you something valuable to lose.
If the river is wide enough then get comfortable with sailing near your launch point before heading for the sea.
Practice a capsize in the dinghy, with sails aloft,wearing a buoyancy aid,near your launch point when the tide is slack.Unless there are sea crocs.as there may be.(If there are consider a larger boat.)

If it's a tidal river,where the current reverses at your launch point,use the oars to get to the sea rather than an outboard,but span your trip so that you get to the sea as the tide turns to bring you back.
If its a wide river then head upstream and get used to handling the boat before considering heading for the sea.
The sails should be your first choice of propulsion,given a wind,as they won't tire and they won't pack up as may an outboard,but don't plan to sail against the current.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. VicS, I like your idea - I might see if i can find a small enough outboard to lash under the thwart with the leg or even the engine inside the storage compartment. The Mirror floats high in a capsize so that would keep the motor out of the water even with the boat upsidedown.

Thanks again... John
 
jj1000 said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone. VicS, I like your idea - I might see if i can find a small enough outboard to lash under the thwart with the leg or even the engine inside the storage compartment. The Mirror floats high in a capsize so that would keep the motor out of the water even with the boat upsidedown.

Thanks again... John
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Yes, Vic's solution is best. Try to pick up an old Yamaha /Mariner 2. They're tiny, light and 2 stroke - so no chance of sump oil leak if laid down incorrectly.
 
I used to sail a mirror. The idea of an engine never even crossed my mind. This "motor down to the sea before starting to sail" idea is a yottie attitude :)

Pete
 
When I became a yottie after being a dinghy'ie I installed a furling boom and electric winch and thought it would be realy cool to hoist the sail at the touch of a button and sail out of the marina....definately wasn't cool. Ran aground with the halyard jammed and no juice left in the battery to start the engine.

Anyhoo, I thought I'd do a "where's this" like they do on Scuttlebutt. Somewhere around Liverpool maybe? If it was Newcastle where I was brought up they'd have taken the whole thing not just the wheels.

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Nice looking Mirror.
I just got one too, and cant wait to give her a sail in the summer. I have also thought about a wee engine. I have a 1.2HP Johnson Colt. Its tiny, and will store on the floor nicely, lashed to the centerboard case with the powerhead poked in one side of the forward compartments for those lovely calm days.
My local dinghy club are having a special regatta this year to mark the Mirrors 50th birthday. Should be a good day. Certainly a good year for us to get Mirrors on the water!
 
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