390MY davit system

czechmate

New Member
Apr 25, 2010
3
wisconsin
Boat Info
2003 390 MY
Engines
Merc 8.1 x 2
I have a 2003 390MY, I would like to attach a dingy onto the aft. swim platform.
I would like to attach the dingy "laying flat" with the motor attached. I was told by Hurley that their system would not work.
Any tips on witch system and model will work with a 390MY ????
The raft is a mercury brand, 10' long, 5' 6" wide with a 10 HP merc. total wght. approx 130 lbs.


Any help would be appreiciated
Thank You
Czechmate
 
There is a 40MY (really same boat) for sale on YachtWorld with a davit system: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2008/Sea-Ray-40-MOTOR-YACHT-2423608/Ft-Myers/FL/United-States. Dunno what system it is but perhaps a picture will give you something to look for.

2423608_29_thumb.jpg
 
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Ray is spot on. The thing is about this system you have to be open for compromise. While it delivers the functional side you're loosing the platform, or at least a portion of it. The looks is a totally different story, we all have different taste. One time there was 420DB for sale at YW with St. Croix, when I showed it to my wife we both agreed that PO "killed" the boat. But guess what? She was sold for about $25K-$30K less than competitors.

Based on the description of your dinghy I assume that you're looking for manually operated davits (not hydraulic). I understand that the height of the platform is an issue, but I'm pretty sure that there are davits that will work just fine. A lot of late 2000 SR models have integrated platforms and I'm sure that folks found decent solution for their dinghies. If I'll find some saved links I'll post them.
 
A friend of mine has one on his 390 MY and it really limits you from running anywhere between 1000 rpm and 2100 rpm because of the bow wave hits the system. I did a lot of research into this and chose to spend 16.8k on a nice new 15 foot Boston Whaler Super Sport (with a 5 year bow to stern warranty) that we tow behind our 390 MY. We just did 3 weeks on a trip up and down the west coast of Florida and had no issue running up and down the inter-coastal and in 6 foot waves. We run at 18 mph while pulling it.. The professional towing rig cost 2.5k and to re-inforce the cleats cost $500 bucks.
 
IMO, if you're going to spend that kind of money it's much better to go for hydraulic lift (like my SeaLift) which will resolve all of your (any kind of tender) issues.
 
There is actually a 390 Motoryacht in my harbor with a sealift. Pretty penny, but very effective. I personally like the sealift and the freedom lift best, with a slight edge to the freedom lift because of the ease of removing the cradle arms like pulling a trailer hitch out of the back of your car.
 
Ray, I only need to unscrew two bolts on each arm and the cradle is off. IMO, no matter how convenient the removal part is doesn't really matter. IMO it's such a rare occasion when one would remove them anyway. The beauty of the lift design is that it's small and light. When there's no water craft (a dink or jetski)on the lift it doesn't bother a bit that it's empty as it doesn't affect performance much and the platform is always free from any obstruction.
 
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I agree, however the individual arms of the freedom lift are a lot easier to put somewhere. On my friends 420 DA we put them in the aft bah seat frequently when not toting the dinghy or jet ski around.

On my friends 46 Maxum with the sealift we always leave the cradle in place because there's no real place to keep it on board.
 
I see what you mean. That's true, Freedom Lift has individual arms while SeaLift has a cradle, which is a large structure. That does make a big difference for those who need to remove the arms frequently.

After I had built the dinghy davits/ramps for my 320DA with quick release system I've noticed that I never end up taking the ramps off, even though it took seconds. They just never created an obstruction issue. The only one occasion I remember I had to take them off is when we went to a transient marina that had no fingers. I had to tie the dink to the bow cleats (while the dink was floating in the water) and bring the swim platform close to the ladder on the bulkhead. Other than that I only took them off when the boat was winterized.

The biggest difference is also the fact that I always have the dinghy on the platform all season long. Having young kids on board we always use it, other times it's just a "life raft". The same goes for my 420DB with SeaLift. The dink stays on all season long and the only difference is that if I end up in a marina with no fingers I need a spot by the bulkhead, or T- slip or use a ramp in a regular slip. To avoid this issue I had build a ramp that was stored in my ER laying flat on the floor. After two season I've realized that I never end up using it, so next season I will cruise without the ramp to reduce the weight and have more room.
 
Thank You all, who responded.
I have decided on the "Dingyramp" system. I will post early summer and let you all know how it turned out. There seems to be a limited number of mounts, that will fit the 390my.
(Hoping I've made the correct choice.)
Czechmate
 
There is actually a 390 Motoryacht in my harbor with a sealift. Pretty penny, but very effective. I personally like the sealift and the freedom lift best, with a slight edge to the freedom lift because of the ease of removing the cradle arms like pulling a trailer hitch out of the back of your car.
This post was some time ago, but I was told by sea lift that their system would not work on my 390 due to the water tank being in the transom and they would not be able to mount the backing plates required. Does anyone know if this is true or if there is a work around? Sounds like someone was able to install this system!
Rob
 
The water tank is in the transom, though it can be pulled for this sort of work. You'd have to remove the aft berth, night table and rear state room wall.

The vertical part of the transom is accessible from the locker, aft berth and head.

I've seen lifts installed both under the existing platform, with a backing plate under the water tank, and with long arms coming underneath the platform and connecting to the vertical portion of the transom.
 
I’m not sure why the original post from 5 years ago could not use the Hurley. I added the Hurley to my 360 plus the extensions last summer. It is about as easy to use as anything I have seen.
 
I cannot see how a H20 or H30 would work on the 390 Motoryacht standard platform. not enough room
 
Some might not like this but this St Croix has travel with tender over 10,000 miles and was the first an most times the only one in the water. The majority of the tenders we saw on roof tops stayed there as they were considered by most to be a RITA to unload & reload on The Great Loop.

You can close the arms when not in use or remove the arms easil. We never removed the arms as they were great like hand rails to load and unload stern end when didn’t take the tender with us. Current owners are stern in at Tidewater Marina ICW mike marker 0.
upload_2019-10-27_20-22-49.jpeg
 
Some might not like this but this St Croix has travel with tender over 10,000 miles and was the first an most times the only one in the water. The majority of the tenders we saw on roof tops stayed there as they were considered by most to be a RITA to unload & reload on The Great Loop.

You can close the arms when not in use or remove the arms easil. We never removed the arms as they were great like hand rails to load and unload stern end when didn’t take the tender with us. Current owners are stern in at Tidewater Marina ICW mike marker 0.
View attachment 76303
Does anyone have experience with the magic tow or towdster for pulling a pwc?
 
Still contemplating giving my H20 Hurley with 36 inch extensions a shot. I don't see why this wouldnt work. Or even the h30
 

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