Avery interesting boat with a long keel, which makes it slightly unusual for a dinghy
When sailing a little open boat at sea there are times when an outboard engine can get you into a fast drying river or harbour when the wind has died and the ebbing tide is too strong for rowing.
Sail and oar boaters will plan to avoid this situation but, as we know, the ‘bestlaid plans…’ In this situation, an outboard motor can help you to avoid a cold night afloat waiting for the next flood tide and hoping the weather remains manageable. It does not hurt to have a back up and I keep my outboard on tickover when entering Rye Harbour in particular.
The problem most small dinghies have is where to mount the outboard so as not to foul the tiller and mainsheet and not to spoil the trim of the boat. Those cantilever-type mounts on a transom take a lot of weight aft and cause a small boat’s stern to drag.
Outboard wells are a much better alternative. My Drascombe Dabber has a useful outboard well offset to port side. I also have a (non standard) boom to the mainsail which enables central sheeting so there is little chance of the sheet fouling the motor or tiller. Agreat set up.
The Dabber is a fair-size boat and for a while, I have been looking for an 11-12ft dinghy that has an outboard well. But boats of this nature are rare as hen’s teeth.
Happy shopping
One day when scrolling through Apollo Duck advertisements I found Veronique, a Lune Pilot 11 with an outboard well and I did not hesitate to buy her. The previous owner kindly delivered her to me. For those unfamiliar with Lune Pilots they unusually (for a dinghy) have a long keel which is bound to make launch and recovery difficult. She may also take longer to tack around. However, I decided to put up with these foibles in favour of her many advantages including the outboard well, ease of rigging, ample cockpit space created by the lack of a centreboard case, and long keel to ensure she holds a steady course.
Veronique is very easy to set up. A simple standing lug sail. No stays, the mast just slots onto the cockpit sole and is held in place at the thwart by a wooden pin. Asingle halyard attached to
