All Davit Owners Please Post

[Hampton]

There have been many, many requests for info about dinghy davits for Sea Ray swim platforms. If you have them on your Sea Ray, or know someone who does, please post all you know about the davits and dinghy with all positive and negative comments.

We need to know if your swim platform is high (molded late model 340) or low (bolt on like a late model 320). We need to know if you have a RIB (hard bottom dinghy) or inflatable dinghy floor. We need to know how big the engine is, and about how much the whole dinghy weighs. Can you load it alone? Does it tip over? Can you remove the davits? Is the swim platform clean or are there hazards when they're removed. Do the davits last? Are they a maintenance nightmare? Are they worth the price you paid? Would you do it exactly the same again, or would you get another brand, mount them differently, or get a different size?

Thank you to all.

 

[Larry]

I am going on my 3rd. season with my Nautley "Dinghy Ramp" system. We have a 9' Mercury airdeck inflatable w/ 9.9 hp 2 stroke Johnson (150 lbs+). I bought there model with rollers, I had some isues early on. I replaced all the 2" rollers with 5" trailer rollers (yellow neopreme type), the extra 1.5" made a difference for my platform (33 Sundancer has the integraded and the bolt on platform). I was having an issue when I would come off plane and water would lift the dinghy, we resolved this with a better strapping system. We now need only one ratchet strap hooked from tow eye on the port and starboard sides of the sea ray and just over the dinghy lengh wise and when tightend it is rock solid even in rough seas.
One person can load boat with motor and aux. gas tank and have it straped, in about 2 minutes, with moderate effort. I was thinking about adding an electric winch in the trunk of the sea ray that could just hook up to the side of the dinghy and have it pull it up on the platform with no manual lifting, not that it is necesary just thought it would be cool!

I will try to post some pictures of my modification

 

[barryg]

I too have the Nautley davit system with the rollers on my 320, and have a 9'6" air floor inflatable with a 6hp 4stroke merc. The engine weighs 55lbs, which is why I went with a 6hp instead of an 8 or 10hp. The inflatable weighs about 85lbs. I can pull the dinghy onto the davits pretty easily with the 3 gallon gas tank and engine on; and once I figured out how to tie it down so that rough seas wouldn't affect it, it's been great. When I don't keep the inflatable on the boat, the davits quick release pins allow you to take them off and stow away easily. I installed them myself in about an hour or two.

 

[boatrboy]

On my 99 270 Sundancer I have the lower swim platform. I have a Mercury 240 airdeck (PVC). I have weaver davits with the quick release mounting brackets. I custom built a single rail to attach from the oar mounting screw to my stern hand rail. Basically my bracket clamps on the rail like a grill bracket, and has a twist to pick up the shaft that holds the oar in place. I keep the motor under the stern seat. (I recently purchased a smaller 3.5 hp Nissan to fit inside a plastic container and tuck completely under the seat). I install/remove the motor while I am attached to the swim platform. Once I am clipped to the brackets I use a dock line attached on the far side to pull the dink vertical. I can do this easily solo. The same line is used to lower it down.

This set up is real nice for me. I can duck under the single attachment rail and walk across the swim platform to tie up, board, etc. I can slide the brackets off with a quick pull pin and store them out of the way. The weaver part on the SP is low and rounded and never had any casualties with these. I have attached some pic's. Just bought Boatnumberplates this year too..

My dock neighbor has the newer 260 da with higher sp but the same set up with the weaver "drop" arms. I made him the same single bracket.


http://clubsearay.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=562&d=1168050860

http://clubsearay.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=593&d=1169174280

 

[tobnpr]

St. Croix davits. Easily removable (they're usually off). Bases mount on the platform, and you can see where I installed short rails holding the standoffs on the transom. Carries my 270 Aideck w/ 8 hp, four stroke merc. Still leaves access @ the transom door.

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

Installed the Nautley DinghyRamp XL ( http://www.dinghyramp.com/xlrollon.html ) last summer on my 300DA and am very pleased with it. I originally ordered a used Hurley system off Ebay but returned it after deciding to go with something a little more substantial.


My RIB and 6hp go about 220lb and while I can load it myself, it is much easier with two people. The trick for loading it yourself is to bring the bow up first, tie it to a stern cleat and then pull the stern on. My platform is about 6"-8" above the water. I prefer the look of the dink sitting horizontal when stored and the wind drag is negligible. The davits do remove but I am left with the mounts on the platform. Ok for me personally but could be an issue for some. I will try to add pics later for reference.

 

[Captain Don]

On my 340 Sundancer I have a very low platform. I have a Weaver Davit System. The snap Davits on the platform are 6" Risers, plus I had to insert a 1" Nylon Block underneath them. My RIB is a 10' 6" Mercury, I have a 5hp Two stroke Mercury Motor, it has enough hp to get us around, plus its not heavy to remove from the raft and put on.
When I raise the RIB I tie a line to an outside handle and pull it up. I then lay it against the transom and tie it down. When at the dock I release the tiedown line and the raft pulls back to the verticle position, then I can get in and out of the transom door. But most of the time, I take short trips to our Coves, maybe a 1/2 hour ride. I simply tow the raft behind the boat, I run at about 1800 RPM with the raft in tow. No lifting up and down, and I save all the work of putting on the motor and taking it off. I simply tip the motor up and lock it there when in tow. The Weaver Davits are used for a longer trip.

 

[Straykatts]

I have the Roskelley-Olsson setup on my 2005 360DA. I haul an AB RIB, 9.5', with 15HP Yamaha 2 stroke. Dingy plus motor is probably 240 lbs or so. I picked the R-O davit set up because I wanted to haul the dingy up with the motor on, by myself, and also be able to access the transom locker.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it. I have a 7:1 block/tackle with which I can haul it up single handedly in a minute or so. But if you're going to go cruising you then have to do some extra lashing down to keep the dingy in place.

To install it, I had to add a couple of cleats to my transom area, right above the locker door. I reinforced the area with high density plywood, wrapped in glass and epoxy resin, and sandwiched all of that with a 3/16 inch stainless plate. I've hauled for 2 full seasons and no problems.

Would I do it again? Probably. The only other arrangement I would consider instead would be the Hurley or Nautley setup. I know I've read some concerns over the true effort required to get the dingy up, but I have to believe you could come up with a routine that would work. Probably tie a pre-determined length of line to the bow, get that in place, then pull the stern up with a block/tackle.

 

[hansen64]

I hope this post helps. I narrowed my choice for a rear load system for my 48 Sedan Bridge down to the Hurley, Nautley and the new St Croix EZ Store. I spoke with all 3 companies and have to say all 3 were exceptional in customer assistance. In the end, I decided to trade my 10'6" hard bottom Alliance (powered by a 15HP Yamaha 4 stroke) for the new light weight hard bottom 9'2" Achilles. I will have a 40-50 lb weight savings and the interior space is virtually the same. In the end, all 3 companies were honest enough to explain the pros/cons of their systems including the relative difficulty of loading as the dinghy weight increases. My final choice was between the St Croix EZ Store and the Nautley XL, After speaking with Nautley, however, and at their recommendation, I bought the Nautley XD entended. The most interesting point, I belive, is that there is no single solution. The solution depends in large part on the make/model and hull design of the dinghy. Since the new Achilles is a deep v, I believe the Nautley XD should work best. I'll take pics and let you know how the install goes once I receive it in 10 days or so. At that time, I'll evaluate the need for the power winch in the trunk to assist loading per another post I read. Anyway, all along I leaned heavily toward the St Croix since I've talked to Bill (at St Croix) several times and sincerely trust his engineering, quality, product, reputation and history. Hopefully I made the right decision. We'll see.

 

[Skeetobite]

I usually keep my dinghy on the foredeck and hoist it up there with a custom davit. However, i also have the Hurley Davit on the swim platform.

When I first bought the boat, I had the platform chopped and extended 14". I still needed the 8" extension from Hurley. The platform is only 7" off the water.

I have an Avon 310 RIB with the double fiberglass hull and a 15HP outboard. Total weight is near 200lbs.

Pro: Easy install, very simple to use, easy mount & dismount of davit cradle

Cons: Originally designed for lighter dinghies, Difficult to load heavy dinghy single handed, Diesel soot on Hypalon, after two years of use, it is beat up pretty bad and is not very sturdy, cost is way too high for this product versus the value (in my opinion)

Having said that, I use this davit on just about every trip. The dinghy comes off the foredeck at our first stop and goes on and off the Hurley davit for the remainder of the trip.

If I had to do it again, I would look for something with a better design to accomodate the hard bottom and that is easier to use by myself.

 

[Alex F]

Could you guys post some pictures of your setups. This is all great info. It would be great if you could also list the links to your setup model.

 

[Pseudomind]

I hope this post helps. I narrowed my choice for a rear load system for my 48 Sedan Bridge down to the Hurley, Nautley and the new St Croix EZ Store. I spoke with all 3 companies and have to say all 3 were exceptional in customer assistance. In the end, I decided to trade my 10'6" hard bottom Alliance (powered by a 15HP Yamaha 4 stroke) for the new light weight hard bottom 9'2" Achilles. I will have a 40-50 lb weight savings and the interior space is virtually the same. In the end, all 3 companies were honest enough to explain the pros/cons of their systems including the relative difficulty of loading as the dinghy weight increases. My final choice was between the St Croix EZ Store and the Nautley XL, After speaking with Nautley, however, and at their recommendation, I bought the Nautley XD entended. The most interesting point, I belive, is that there is no single solution. The solution depends in large part on the make/model and hull design of the dinghy. Since the new Achilles is a deep v, I believe the Nautley XD should work best. I'll take pics and let you know how the install goes once I receive it in 10 days or so. At that time, I'll evaluate the need for the power winch in the trunk to assist loading per another post I read. Anyway, all along I leaned heavily toward the St Croix since I've talked to Bill (at St Croix) several times and sincerely trust his engineering, quality, product, reputation and history. Hopefully I made the right decision. We'll see.

I am looking forward to seeing the photos, so I hope you do post them

I would also like to see some photos from others who have the lifting type davit's and hear how well they work, especially while underway...any performance losses?

Thanks

:thumbsup:

 

[Skeetobite]

Hurley Davit (old picture). We use this if the dink needs to be dropped regularly during a trip (to take the dog to the beach).

Foredeck lift and chock (recent pic). Stays stored here most of the time.

Stored on Foredeck (very old pic)

 

[Still LauCo]

I have the Hurley Davits, and I like them a lot. 9'6" dinghy, with fold in fiberglass floor. (Inflatable keel) and a 10 horse 4 stroke. It takes a little effort, but i get it on and off in about 2 minutes no problem.

I have a 96, 300DA, with the integrated platform up, and the extended swimplatforms.com platform below. Installation was a breeze, no maintenance thus far...I'll get a picture of the dinghy, here is the platform set up.

I do like the fact that the davits come off, and only leave the "blocks" behind...

 

[Newbie]

John, it seems our biggest issue is the height of the platform and the fact that its integrated with the hull not allowing much or any room to walk around the dinghy when loaded. In my area I cannot find a single late model 340 with davits to see how the dink sits on it. One thing I've even considered is a custom extended platform kind of like the 320 has. The price from swimplatforms.com is not bad I don't think at 2500 but I can't decide if it would be better off flush with the existing platform or lower like the 320. I know with it being lower it would make it easier to load the dink on any given davit but it would be like a deck back there if it were flush. Nice for setting a deck chair or two back there in the eve's. What do you think of having an extra 2-2.5 feet of platform back there?
SB

 

[Overextended]

John, it seems our biggest issue is the height of the platform and the fact that its integrated with the hull not allowing much or any room to walk around the dinghy when loaded. In my area I cannot find a single late model 340 with davits to see how the dink sits on it. One thing I've even considered is a custom extended platform kind of like the 320 has. The price from swimplatforms.com is not bad I don't think at 2500 but I can't decide if it would be better off flush with the existing platform or lower like the 320. I know with it being lower it would make it easier to load the dink on any given davit but it would be like a deck back there if it were flush. Nice for setting a deck chair or two back there in the eve's. What do you think of having an extra 2-2.5 feet of platform back there?
SB

Newbie - go with the Nautley ... http://www.dinghyramp.com/xlrollon.html had this on my older 36 without the new extension. Platform was 20" from water and only 2' deep. Follow their install directions and mount as far aft as possible and you will have room to walk between your transom trunk and the dink.

 

[Hampton]

John, it seems our biggest issue is the height of the platform and the fact that its integrated with the hull not allowing much or any room to walk around the dinghy when loaded. In my area I cannot find a single late model 340 with davits to see how the dink sits on it. One thing I've even considered is a custom extended platform kind of like the 320 has. The price from swimplatforms.com is not bad I don't think at 2500 but I can't decide if it would be better off flush with the existing platform or lower like the 320. I know with it being lower it would make it easier to load the dink on any given davit but it would be like a deck back there if it were flush. Nice for setting a deck chair or two back there in the eve's. What do you think of having an extra 2-2.5 feet of platform back there?
SB

You've nailed it, SB.

I really like the idea of the extended platform. One of my issues is that my marina can not except any larger boats than mine. If I extend it 30", the pilings will be behind my midship cleats. The front of the boat will stick out too far and be subject to twisting in the slip. If I were able to, I would consider a longer platform, and I would make it lower. Then the problem becomes ripping it off in the water at high deck angles. I have checked, and while cruising, there is one hell of a hole behind the boat, but I'm not sure you can count on it.

I may be leaning toward the previous post's solution.

 

[fwebster]

John,

I guess I going to be the minority voice here. We use our boat very much like you do.....we "live" outside and in the water or on the beach. That means 100 trips a day in and out of the cockpit. I cannot stand to have an obstruction, either a trip hazard or toe stubber on the platform. We have several friends with Weaver davits and another with a Hurley davit and I wouln't have either for my use since both leave obsticals on the platform. Even the Weaver snap davit plate will cut your toe to shreds.

My choice was a different approach.......my platform is about 50 inches wide so we bought a 310 Zodiac with the hi-pressure air floor. It weighs 56 lbs and is easy to slide up on the platform and tie down to stern cleats. I use a 2 hp Honda that weighs 26 lbs so I really don't need a davit system to aid in loading either.

My advice is to carefully consider anything you mount permanently to the platform because you will have to deal with it every single time you or any member of your family gets in the water.

 

[Hampton]

Thanks Frank. My dinghy is too heavy/bulky to do that. We're tired of deflating it for long trips and dragging it for short trips. A large part of what we do when coming and going has to do with getting the dinghy in and out. We're getting good at it, but even when it is behind us, it doesn't tow very well, even for short distances. I'll take what you said into consideration, though, as always.

 

[Newbie]

You've nailed it, SB.

I really like the idea of the extended platform. One of my issues is that my marina can not except any larger boats than mine. If I extend it 30", the pilings will be behind my midship cleats. The front of the boat will stick out too far and be subject to twisting in the slip. If I were able to, I would consider a longer platform, and I would make it lower. Then the problem becomes ripping it off in the water at high deck angles. I have checked, and while cruising, there is one hell of a hole behind the boat, but I'm not sure you can count on it.

I may be leaning toward the previous post's solution.

I wouldn't go more than 2.5 feet. As long as my LOA is 40' or less, I can go with any 40' slip. We tend to skip around marinas yearly to change the scenery and a 40' slip is the most common. I was thinking of having it flush w/ the existing just because of how you mentioned it dunking, whether coming off plane or through the inlets. I agree with Frank, I really don't want any hardware if I can help it. I know I'd have pics of my toes looking like Gary's.
Once I hear from my accountant on how much I owe this year, I might order the platform, I'll let you know.
SB