Dinghy Tie Downs

Irie308

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2013
2,577
CT
Boat Info
2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
Engines
Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
I’ve been searching for a post on here where someone had custom tie down cables made up for their dinghy. Our new dinghy has about 18” of room for securing the bow to the platform. My current ratchet straps are too long to accomplish this. Does anyone remember the thread or the site in which the custom cables can be ordered?
 
I use these ones. You can adjust the length to what you need and I like that they have the lip on the hooks so they don’t get undone and fall in the water like others I had in the past.
 

Attachments

  • AFC090E6-60EF-4CA1-A62B-3D1D23CBF626.jpeg
    AFC090E6-60EF-4CA1-A62B-3D1D23CBF626.jpeg
    193.8 KB · Views: 449
I use a set of custom tie downs. They have stainless hardware, Heavy clip on each end that secure through a d ring on the platform then connection points on the dinghy. Plastic coated cable and a turnbuckle which allows for tightening and loosening.

Had the same thing on my previous boat, very pleased.

Will try to find a picture. They came from the company which I bought the dinghy from, they made them to length when they installed the dinghy.
 
Check out Strapworks.com
Available in stainless. Can buy complete or just parts.
I just went with 1” stainless ratchet buckles and used my old straps and stainless carabiners. I had to sew on the strap that attaches to the buckle, but that would allow you to make it short enough to work for your setup.
I think they were 8 or 10 dollars each
 
I’ve been searching for a post on here where someone had custom tie down cables made up for their dinghy. Our new dinghy has about 18” of room for securing the bow to the platform. My current ratchet straps are too long to accomplish this. Does anyone remember the thread or the site in which the custom cables can be ordered?

I know that I replied to a thread awhile back regarding the custom stainless steel tie downs I had made. Here's the link I provided: http://www.umtmarine.com/stainless-steel/locking-turnbuckles I've had no problems with our dinghy moving at all, and their extremely easy to install and lock down tight with turnbuckle.

-Tom
 
I know that I replied to a thread awhile back regarding the custom stainless steel tie downs I had made. Here's the link I provided: http://www.umtmarine.com/stainless-steel/locking-turnbuckles I've had no problems with our dinghy moving at all, and their extremely easy to install and lock down tight with turnbuckle.

-Tom
yes, that was it. Thanks! Still trying to sort this setup out but wanted to also throw this in there as an option.
 
yes, that was it. Thanks! Still trying to sort this setup out but wanted to also throw this in there as an option.

This looks exactly like exactly what I have. On my second dinghy mounting with this approach, have been very happy with it. It is sensitive to placement side to side of the dinghy in the chocks - you have limited adjustment in the turnbuckles. Three inches side to side will make a difference.

If I am in calm conditions I know where to line up. If it is rougher, I get the dinghy on the chocks erring on being a bit forward. Connect the tie down on the bow, then lower the platform enough for the dinghy to float, then pull it back with a line while raising the platform up.
 
Just for another option I have stainless ratchet straps from suncor and they’re working on year 3.
 
I use a turnbuckle on the bow and very short ratchet straps on the stern. Pretty sure the straps came from GHS.
 
Just for another option I have stainless ratchet straps from suncor and they’re working on year 3.
I have the same however the eye on the bow is about a foot off of the deck. No way to really rachet it down.
 
I use a turnbuckle on the bow and very short ratchet straps on the stern. Pretty sure the straps came from GHS.
This is what i'm thinking of doing
 
The turnbuckle works well for us and makes dinghy positioning easy. The only downside I see is getting the dinghy loose in an emergency where straps can just be cut quickly.

Totally agree. The turnbuckle approach functionally provides a very secure attachment and looks nice.

It is not an arrangement that you could get the dinghy loose in a hurry for use as a life raft. Have considered this a lot and I don't consider the dinghy a replacement or substitute for a life raft.

The time to unfasten, then the subsequent launching makes it prohibitive. If it is an abandon the boat situation - will there be power to lower the swim platform? If the boat is sinking where the dinghy would float off, is there time to get all the turnbuckles undone and the plug screwed back in? In rough water how practical is it to get everything unfastened, plug in, while standing on a swim platform which is moving up, down, and sideways?

If this is an abandon the boat scenario, that means you do not have power and can assume the boat is in beam seas with some potential significant movement.

Finally if I am open water, gulf stream crossing, how safe is the dinghy? As long as there is gas you have some control, but if you run out of gas then I would think being in very rough seas the dinghy would be swamped before very long.

All that said, I love the dinghy we have but we will be adding a life raft shortly.
 
Well assuming we were taking on water in the ER I would think the dinghy being strapped to the platform may give us buoyancy and possible keep the stern afloat :). Just kidding. I really don't like the idea of having to unscrew the turnbuckle in an "abandon ship" scenario. On our 320 we kept a knife by the transom locker to cut the dinghy away in the event of such an emergency and would like to maintain similar protocols on this boat. I currently have the suncor stainless steal ratchet straps that i'm trying to see if i can make work but looking at all options and weighing the pros and cons.
 
All valid reasons for the different hold downs. I chose to go with the stainless cables with turnbuckles because no matter what straps I bought, or how tight I got them as soon as they got wet the material would start to loosen a little and my dinghy would start banging around.

My slip mate was having similar issues and found straps that are made out of what looks like seat belt material. So far his have not loosened on him, so maybe this is the happy medium?

-Tom
 
When I spoke to one ratchet strap manufacturer he said to use Polyester webbing as it won’t stretch like nylon (I haven’t switched yet) something to do when they both get wet nylon absorbs the water polyester does not the dingy doesn’t see much action since we got the sea doo.
In my ditch bag is a seat belt cutter to cut the dinghy lose in one swipe.
 
Well assuming we were taking on water in the ER I would think the dinghy being strapped to the platform may give us buoyancy and possible keep the stern afloat :). Just kidding. I really don't like the idea of having to unscrew the turnbuckle in an "abandon ship" scenario. On our 320 we kept a knife by the transom locker to cut the dinghy away in the event of such an emergency and would like to maintain similar protocols on this boat. I currently have the suncor stainless steal ratchet straps that i'm trying to see if i can make work but looking at all options and weighing the pros and cons.

I am using stainless turnbuckles to avoid movement but I am putting snap shackles at either end with a t-handle pull on the release so it would be easy for anyone to pull and release in an emergency. They are easy to clip back on to the eyes so for daily use I think they will be a good solution

https://www.ronstan.com/marine/product.asp?ProdNo=RF6320
 
My opinion. Take it for what it is worth - which is at best a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Do not consider your Dinghy as a life raft.

If your cruising is over distances or conditions where you are concerned about having to abandon ship - then either rent or buy a life raft.

Lots of scenarios about how to cut the tie downs on a dinghy. Think about after you abandon ship, your on the dinghy - which is sea worthy as long as you have gas to keep it pointed into the waves. How long till the dinghy is in beam seas - and turns over. No way to stop it.

Not everyone needs a life raft - individuals have to evaluate their own cruising areas. But they are not interchangeable.

Just my thoughts
 
My opinion. Take it for what it is worth - which is at best a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Do not consider your Dinghy as a life raft.

If your cruising is over distances or conditions where you are concerned about having to abandon ship - then either rent or buy a life raft.

Lots of scenarios about how to cut the tie downs on a dinghy. Think about after you abandon ship, your on the dinghy - which is sea worthy as long as you have gas to keep it pointed into the waves. How long till the dinghy is in beam seas - and turns over. No way to stop it.

Not everyone needs a life raft - individuals have to evaluate their own cruising areas. But they are not interchangeable.

Just my thoughts
I agree with you if I was cruising far distances such as down the coast to FL or something of that nature I would invest in a real life raft. For how we are currently Boating, given we are always within 20miles of some piece of land and will not be out in conditions that would turn over the dingy I think having the dingy as an emergency raft is sufficient.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,944
Messages
1,422,729
Members
60,927
Latest member
Jaguar65
Back
Top