36 DB dinghy davit recommendations

susanandlance

Well-Known Member
Feb 10, 2011
2,865
Florida
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray 36 Sedan Bridge
Engines
8.1 mercruisers
2007 36DB with no extended platform, davit ideas and pics. Thanks in advance Lance
 
@susanandlance -
A previous owner of my Sundancer installed the St Croix Model 350 Removable Davit system. They sell new for $1,583 but I have also seen them for sale on eBay. Here is the purchase link: https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=2130068

Screen Shot 2018-09-09 at 4.25.39 PM.png This is how it looks on my swim platform with the Davits completely removed. They easily slide out after pulling the locking pin.
Screen Shot 2018-09-09 at 4.27.01 PM.png Here is how it looks with the davit arms installed but with no dinghy. We have found that having the davit arms actually allow us to steady ourselves as we board the dinghy to avoid falling into the water.
Screen Shot 2018-09-09 at 4.28.57 PM.png Here is the dinghy hoisted up. I am still working on adjusting the rear hooks so that the pulley is not right up against the engine. I prefer to lift the engine into the up position - especially on the long trip to Catalina - to minimize any contact with the water or wake. I also purchased ratchet straps from St Croix which I add on when I go underway with the dinghy on the back.
 
@susanandlance -
A previous owner of my Sundancer installed the St Croix Model 350 Removable Davit system. They sell new for $1,583 but I have also seen them for sale on eBay. Here is the purchase link: https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=2130068

View attachment 67043 This is how it looks on my swim platform with the Davits completely removed. They easily slide out after pulling the locking pin.
View attachment 67044 Here is how it looks with the davit arms installed but with no dinghy. We have found that having the davit arms actually allow us to steady ourselves as we board the dinghy to avoid falling into the water.
View attachment 67045 Here is the dinghy hoisted up. I am still working on adjusting the rear hooks so that the pulley is not right up against the engine. I prefer to lift the engine into the up position - especially on the long trip to Catalina - to minimize any contact with the water or wake. I also purchased ratchet straps from St Croix which I add on when I go underway with the dinghy on the back.

Aren't you concerned about that hanging off that far if you get in rough water?
 
@midexp - Whenever I go out into the open ocean I either take the dinghy off first and ride without (if I'm not planning to use it) ... or if we are going on a trip to Catalina Island I will add a several ratchet straps between the dinghy and stern deck cleats to really reinforce it against the side of the davits so it has little to no movement even in moderate waves.

I also bring up the engine if I'm going to Catalina as well. I have made it to Catalina and back with no issues - but do watch things pretty closely to make sure the dinghy and davits are not under any due stress.

The pulley system makes it pretty easy to launch. For hoisting the stern pulley does require some upper body strength ... usually I get my 14yo son to do it under the guise that it will be a good workout to prep for football.
 
@midexp - Whenever I go out into the open ocean I either take the dinghy off first and ride without (if I'm not planning to use it) ... or if we are going on a trip to Catalina Island I will add a several ratchet straps between the dinghy and stern deck cleats to really reinforce it against the side of the davits so it has little to no movement even in moderate waves.

I also bring up the engine if I'm going to Catalina as well. I have made it to Catalina and back with no issues - but do watch things pretty closely to make sure the dinghy and davits are not under any due stress.

The pulley system makes it pretty easy to launch. For hoisting the stern pulley does require some upper body strength ... usually I get my 14yo son to do it under the guise that it will be a good workout to prep for football.

For some reason I was thinking you were by me in the Great Lakes. I read Catalina Island and I was going to reply, what you going to drive the boat to California? But I guess yes!

What's there to do in them neck of the wood?
 
@midexp - I use the boat about 80% for what the Admiral calls “wine and cheese” cruises with friends (the marina is about 20-25 minutes from our house). We do about 3-4 annual weekend trips out to Catalina (either to Avalon or Two Harbors (where Natalie Wood famously died falling off a dinghy)) where you moor and then take the dinghy or shore boat into land. Want to get more into fishing - as there are great Yellowtail a few miles offshore. Also plenty of sea lion, dolphin and occasional whale sighting. I used to be a Michigan / Chicago boater so it was all very exotic when I first moved out here 9 years ago....
 
@susanandlance -
A previous owner of my Sundancer installed the St Croix Model 350 Removable Davit system. They sell new for $1,583 but I have also seen them for sale on eBay. Here is the purchase link: https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=2130068

View attachment 67043 This is how it looks on my swim platform with the Davits completely removed. They easily slide out after pulling the locking pin.
View attachment 67044 Here is how it looks with the davit arms installed but with no dinghy. We have found that having the davit arms actually allow us to steady ourselves as we board the dinghy to avoid falling into the water.
View attachment 67045 Here is the dinghy hoisted up. I am still working on adjusting the rear hooks so that the pulley is not right up against the engine. I prefer to lift the engine into the up position - especially on the long trip to Catalina - to minimize any contact with the water or wake. I also purchased ratchet straps from St Croix which I add on when I go underway with the dinghy on the back.
What is used under the swim platform as a backing plate to disperse some of the load?
 

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