Thank you for putting this video together. Not many out there discussing outboards on a Pudgy. I am looking at getting an outboard for my Pudgy and wondering what shaft length you purchased for what I assume is Mercury's 5 HP that comes in shaft lengths of 15", 20", and 25"? With the transom height from the bottom of the hull (not keel) measuring 22" I am thinking I should purchase the 25". I am not looking forward to beaching or beach launching with this length of shaft though.
In today’s world an electric outboard makes a whole lot more sense, especially on a dinghy that won’t plane. Small outboards are a PIA. Gasoline is a PIA. If you leave gas in the motor it will gunk up over time and then it won’t like to run. We switched to electric a couple years ago. Will never go back!
You are absolutely correct. I have a Pudgy and have been using a 55lb thrust trolling motor and a 12 volt Lifepo4 battery. It works, slow but adequate and reasonable range. We just upgraded to a Newport 86lb thrust motor ($299) and a Repower Flow 24 volt Lifepo4 100Ahr battery in a nice box with a charger ($540). That is the nicest battery in a waterproof box that I have seen. It is heavy at 50lbs. It pushes my 30lb dog and 195lb me at a solid 4+ knots. It runs about 3 knots on the lowest speed. If anything, I wish the low speed was a bit less aggressive. Maybe a 70lb thrust would be better. It looks like the same speed as the 5hp gas burner so hull speed is the problem. I love not having gasoline onboard and I can charge from the motherships electrical system. Yesterday I ran 4.7nm at various speeds, quite a bit on max and still had 71% battery charge when returning home. This cost less than a gas outboard. Requires no maintenance. And it is easy to store. Way less than half the price of the 3hp electric outboards and better range.
I have been using a 55lb Minnkota with a Kipawa propeller for years. The propeller gives me maybe 15% more top end speed and really chews through weeds. I don't own a Portland yet, I've been using my Minnkota on a 15" canoe.
I'm 5ft10 160lbs..my sweetheart is 5ft2 maybe 100lbs. We have a Honda 2.3 longshaft on our Pudgy. I'm here to tell you anything other than the "millpond" flat water you are testing in you are GOING TO GET WET with virtually ANY real speed in this dingy. These are great little boats, no question but they do Not like to beach launch into surf. My girl and I slept on the beach in Los Cristianos Canary Islands one night because we got entirely swamped 3 times trying to get off the beach.
Agreed... we found out after this video... off Cape Lookout with choppy waves... hoping to test the front part of the life raft (as a dodger) this year to see if it helps. Thanks!
You can get the Weaver davits for either side, from manufacturer, but they are not reversible. I have them on my Pudgy and I ordered for the side I required.
Thank you for putting this video together. Not many out there discussing outboards on a Pudgy. I am looking at getting an outboard for my Pudgy and wondering what shaft length you purchased for what I assume is Mercury's 5 HP that comes in shaft lengths of 15", 20", and 25"? With the transom height from the bottom of the hull (not keel) measuring 22" I am thinking I should purchase the 25". I am not looking forward to beaching or beach launching with this length of shaft though.
Yup, it has to be a long shaft. Beaching is not any different than any other shaft length, done it several times now.
Thanks, learned a few tricks
In today’s world an electric outboard makes a whole lot more sense, especially on a dinghy that won’t plane. Small outboards are a PIA. Gasoline is a PIA. If you leave gas in the motor it will gunk up over time and then it won’t like to run. We switched to electric a couple years ago. Will never go back!
You are absolutely correct. I have a Pudgy and have been using a 55lb thrust trolling motor and a 12 volt Lifepo4 battery. It works, slow but adequate and reasonable range. We just upgraded to a Newport 86lb thrust motor ($299) and a Repower Flow 24 volt Lifepo4 100Ahr battery in a nice box with a charger ($540). That is the nicest battery in a waterproof box that I have seen. It is heavy at 50lbs. It pushes my 30lb dog and 195lb me at a solid 4+ knots. It runs about 3 knots on the lowest speed. If anything, I wish the low speed was a bit less aggressive. Maybe a 70lb thrust would be better. It looks like the same speed as the 5hp gas burner so hull speed is the problem. I love not having gasoline onboard and I can charge from the motherships electrical system. Yesterday I ran 4.7nm at various speeds, quite a bit on max and still had 71% battery charge when returning home. This cost less than a gas outboard. Requires no maintenance. And it is easy to store. Way less than half the price of the 3hp electric outboards and better range.
I have been using a 55lb Minnkota with a Kipawa propeller for years. The propeller gives me maybe 15% more top end speed and really chews through weeds. I don't own a Portland yet, I've been using my Minnkota on a 15" canoe.
I'm 5ft10 160lbs..my sweetheart is 5ft2 maybe 100lbs. We have a Honda 2.3 longshaft on our Pudgy. I'm here to tell you anything other than the "millpond" flat water you are testing in you are GOING TO GET WET with virtually ANY real speed in this dingy. These are great little boats, no question but they do Not like to beach launch into surf. My girl and I slept on the beach in Los Cristianos Canary Islands one night because we got entirely swamped 3 times trying to get off the beach.
Agreed... we found out after this video... off Cape Lookout with choppy waves... hoping to test the front part of the life raft (as a dodger) this year to see if it helps. Thanks!
You can get the Weaver davits for either side, from manufacturer, but they are not reversible. I have them on my Pudgy and I ordered for the side I required.
On my Portland Pudgy with a Yamaha 2.5hp, it goes 3-4mph
Good info.... glad I got the 5hp now!
I would NOT sail mine with the motor mounted.