Dinghy Search is On!

jmauld said:
That’s why we got the trailer for it. I’m looking for a davit system that I like, but that damn center door and the fact that I’m already a tight fit in my slip is making it difficult.
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Ya, both of those are working against you. We bow in and have a port side entry door. This system may work...but it looks like it has bigger toe snubbers that'd be left vs the regular system which I have. My platform is 19" off the water surface and it is a PITA...

https://www.dinghyramp.com/dinghyra...-content/uploads/2008/04/dinghyramp_xl_13.jpg
 
Stee6043 said:
The sky-high platforms on your model boat are uniquely perfect for the 'ole Hurley H30. With an extension you could walk laps around a 310 dinghy on your platform :)
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Yeah, I have an item on my todo list to take the measurements and send to Hurley. I think their system will work
 
To any of you guys thinking of foldable or storable dinks I say this based on years of experience: Inflating and deflating a dinghy is a pain in the ass. And, while in theory it seems like a great option to simply "put it away" to avoid taking up room on your swim platform when not in use I say.... forget about it! You may try it once or twice but after that you'll realize it's not practical, especially when you've got a full day of boating activities with a crowd of family and friends on board. Not to mention the engine needs to be hauled and stored as well! Be realistic.
 
brewster16 said:
To any of you guys thinking of foldable or storable dinks I say this based on years of experience: Inflating and deflating a dinghy is a pain in the ass. And, while in theory it seems like a great option to simply "put it away" to avoid taking up room on your swim platform when not in use I say.... forget about it! You may try it once or twice but after that you'll realize it's not practical, especially when you've got a full day of boating activities with a crowd of family and friends on board. Not to mention the engine needs to be hauled and stored as well! Be realistic.
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I guess it depends on the slip size/boat size. I have 35' slip, with a 35' loa on my dancer....no room for a dink on davits......I either have to inflate or keep tilted on platform, with engine stowed inside, or go without.
 
zool said:
I guess it depends on the slip size/boat size. I have 35' slip, with a 35' loa on my dancer....no room for a dink on davits......I either have to inflate or keep tilted on platform, with engine stowed inside, or go without.
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You can't leave in the water under your bow? I'd do that vs inflating it every weekend.
 
firecadet613 said:
You can't leave in the water under your bow? I'd do that vs inflating it every weekend.
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If I was bow in, that would be a reasonable option, but finger pier size makes bow in not so good of an option, Stern in I would have to do some serious juggling when leaving the dock and returning. The slip is 14' wide.
 
When thinking about it, I suppose I could pull it onto the bow before heading out, then store it upside down on the bow inflated when not in use.

I dont think I will be inflating and deflating every weekend.

I suppose I could use this as a selling point to the admiral to purchase a bigger slip :)
 
Snap davits combined with lightweight dinghies can work well for stern-in scenarios.

48495497367_337cee7833_h.jpg
 
firecadet613 said:
You can't leave in the water under your bow? I'd do that vs inflating it every weekend.
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This is what I do as well. Leaving the dinghy in the water makes it 2 minute ordeal to go watch the sunset from the water. At least try leaving it in the water where it’s easy to use.
 
zool said:
If I was bow in, that would be a reasonable option, but finger pier size makes bow in not so good of an option, Stern in I would have to do some serious juggling when leaving the dock and returning. The slip is 14' wide.
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Our slips have a section where people store kayaks, and it’s only about a foot of water depth. No one has ever said anything to me for tying up the dinghy in that area while I take the big boat out. Also speak with some of your dock neighbors.
 
zool said:
When thinking about it, I suppose I could pull it onto the bow before heading out, then store it upside down on the bow inflated when not in use.

I dont think I will be inflating and deflating every weekend.

I suppose I could use this as a selling point to the admiral to purchase a bigger slip :)
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What are you going to do with your motor while the dinghy is on the bow? I really hate putting that motor on the dinghy before using it. Always afraid I’m going to end up diving for it.
 
Stee6043 said:
Snap davits combined with lightweight dinghies can work well for stern-in scenarios.

48495497367_337cee7833_h.jpg
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Which system is this? Have you tried backing in with the dinghy loaded? Seems like you would take up about the same amount of space.
 
I'm 37' LOA in a 40' slip. We used to stern in until we moved to this slip, but love the increased privacy bowing in affords and unobstructed sunsets...

Screenshot_20220112-082244_Chrome.jpg


I keep it on the davits during the week and when we're there the dinghy is in the water, tied up to the swim platform. It's a perfect platform for the boys to launch their R/C boats and we just move it to the bow when we take the big boat out.

Screenshot_20220112-092157_Chrome.jpg
 
jmauld said:
Which system is this? Have you tried backing in with the dinghy loaded? Seems like you would take up about the same amount of space.
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That's a Weaver snap davit. This configuration would be "storage only" if you park stern-in. If you leave it up like this you can back fully into a slip and still use your swim platform. That's the only reason I shared. If you wanted to be able to load/unload your dingy and be stern-in tight to the dock, this would not work.

There is a davit system out there that allows side-loading of dinghies. I've seen it in real life but it looks like big $$$$'s. It also takes up a lot of platform real estate.
 
jmauld said:
What are you going to do with your motor while the dinghy is on the bow? I really hate putting that motor on the dinghy before using it. Always afraid I’m going to end up diving for it.
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I figured after the weekend, I could pull the motor and stow it in the cockpit under the mooring cover and keep the dinghy on the bow. I can probably reach the motor from the pier if the dink was stern to pier while resting at the dock. Pulling the motor off and on will be a pain, even at only 57 lbs.

Also, with the slip being 14 wide, the boat at 11.5, theres probably room between mine and the neighbors boat to bring it along side if stern in. I dunno, I gotta figure it all out this summer.

I plan to use a rope tied to the outboard and to a cleat when installing/uninstalling, for piece of mind.

Regardless, I know I need an inflatable floor, just for the weight aspect if I have to pull it onboard myself, The admiral is just a peanut and her nails would get in the way of rope pulling :)
 
I’ve also thought about just buying motors for our Paddle Boards. They are much easier to get on and off the boat.
 
jmauld said:
I’ve also thought about just buying motors for our Paddle Boards. They are much easier to get on and off the boat.
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hmmm, something tells me after a few cocktails, that whole setup would end up in the drink, no pun intended.

upload_2022-1-12_10-12-16.jpeg
 
I attached a little RC motor to my SUP and used a dewalt battery pack. It pushed the paddle board around at about 3knts, but didn't last very long. Needs a much larger battery.
 
Don’t know if works for you but…
We remove the OB. Pull the zodiac up transom first inflated into cockpit, let the bow stick up over the transom (sorry no pics). Doesn’t work if boat full of guests.
You said taking the motor off every time is a pita but unless you are towing, it’s coming off.
 
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Another idea, try to keep short.
If looking what to do with zodiac at marina, ours has these along the bulkhead. I rent for $150 a year (thank you Jesus). No muss no fuss.
Amazon has for $2300 manual operation. Will your marina allow you to install? Maybe work a deal with them, when you long gone they will still have it, split the cost.
49C2B230-BD40-45D7-A1DA-2FB394F20FD1.jpeg
 
Pirate Lady said:
Another idea, try to keep short.
If looking what to do with zodiac at marina, ours has these along the bulkhead. I rent for $150 a year (thank you Jesus). No muss no fuss.
Amazon has for $2300 manual operation. Will your marina allow you to install? Maybe work a deal with them, when you long gone they will still have it, split the cost.
View attachment 118385
Click to expand...

What marina are you in?
 
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