Sail Eagle'sWings - Punta Gorda Life: December 2020

Sunday, December 20, 2020

New Dinghy and Motor

A friend of ours, Tim Crimmins, offered us a dinghy that someone had given him over ten years ago. Tim had never taken it out of its bag so he didn't really know what he had. Tim said we could have it with one provision: If we took it out of the bag we couldn't give it back! Taking a chance we became the new owners of an Avon Red Start 8 ft dinghy. Goodness knows how old it is but it didn't leak when we inflated it. It is as small a they come but Lickity Split can't carry anything larger.

I constructed a motor mount for the dinghy and we bought an electric motor that Joanne has fancied ever since she saw it at Ace Performer (https://www.aceperformer.com/) in Fort Myers where we bought an inflatable kayak.

Under Way in Red Start

Motor Mount with Transom WillFit Adapter - Motor Down

Motor Mount with Transom WillFit Adapter - Motor Raised

The Bixpy motor & battery package includes the motor, battery, battery charger, controller with wrist strap and magnet. Place the magnet on the battery to activate the system. The Transom WillFit Adapter includes two handles; the short one is installed. The motor pole can easily be raised/lowered through a number of positions from 0 to 90 degrees.

Test Drive in the Canal

We hope to putter about in Pelican Bay New Year's Eve where we will visit with other PGIslanders and slip into Mantee Hole for a look-see.