2 replies to this topic

[ttaylor]

Hi everyone,
I just acquired a neat little boat and I thought you all may be able to helm refine an idea.
It's a Peter Van Dine fiberglass Crotch Island Pinky.
From what I've learned she's a very early one, and has a plywood centerboard trunk....that's rotten and need to be rebuilt.
I have an idea I would like to run by you folks for comment/refinement.
I'm thinking I would like to widen the trunk enough to be able to hang a small 5 hp outboard from some sort of plug that mostly fills the hole but allows the motor to be tilted up to clear the bottom of the boat for beaching.
I would like to build it such that I could also insert a separte plug that is the actual centboard and trunk...sort of like a trunk within a trunk.
The end result would be much wider open centerboad trunk that I could then insert the centerboard trunk/plug for sailing, but also insert the outboard motor trunk/plug and outboard for poking around under power. Obviously can't do both at the same time and would not want to carry these plugs onboard. It's one or the other.
My question is how much turbulence and water pushing up into such a trunk can I expect under power? Not feasible?
I could just rebuild what is there, but the boat would make such a nifty little creek cruiser on those windless summer afternoons....and I hate side mount motor brackets.
Any input would be much appreciated.
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[Ken_Potts]

Welcome aboard, and congratulations on the new (old) boat.
I like the thought of a motor being out of sight on a boat as pretty as that one, but I'd be worried that putting the outboard in the center of the boat might increase the amount of exhaust fumes that you have to put up with. I think if I wanted to have a convertible boat (either sail or power) I might try making the rudder removable so I could put the motor on the sternpost when I wanted to use it.
However you end up doing it, you're going to turn a lot of heads on the water.

[ttaylor]

Thanks. The exhaust on these little 4 strokes are through the hub at the propeller. My thought was that at anything but idling the fumes would be not be an issue. My goal is to maintain the pretty lines of the boat and not have an outboard hanging off of it.