Davit choice - 44da

[shinsr]

So considering a inflatable and dont want to deal with breaking it down each time we go out, so a davit is a must. Anyone out there have the Hurley system? Looks like the easiest for one person to operate and should minimize effect on cruise speed, plus no need to remove the engine, and can take the mechanism off when not in use. Any thoughts out there?

 

[Skip]

I have a 10'6" Avon airdeck with a 6HP Tohatsu; the whole thing weighs maybe 100 Lbs. It fits neatly on the swim platform with no davit system, secures with two lines to the stern cleats, and has stayed put in 4-5' chop on the Chesapeake Bay. I did not have to drill any holes in the boat, and the swim platform has no hardware to catch a toe.

 

[shinsr]

interesting, didnt even think of doing it that way - thanks. Does it leave any damage on the non-skid on the platorm?

 

[CAMELLA]

I have the Nautley Dingyramp which works well for me as does many other CSR members.

 

[trit21]

I have the Hurley as many of my dock mates do as well. Works really well, easy to use and install, and we all like the fact that there is a cross connection bar that allow the pivot pieces to be rotated as one unit, not individually.

 

[Skip]

The Avon had a small metal plate at the base of the transom. I removed that to preclude any platform damage.

 

[jrirvine1]

interesting, didnt even think of doing it that way - thanks. Does it leave any damage on the non-skid on the platorm?

I carry my dink and engine like Skip does with one additional “cool mod”. I fashioned a bracket inside the transom locker that holds a strap which then runs out the power cable hole and fastens to the dink handle. This center hold down with one additional strap to the starboard side cleat keeps it very snug in any sea conditions we have encountered. The platform does get a little dirty when hauling the dinghy up and out of the water, but far better to clean the boat then have unsightly toe stubbing davit brackets that are not needed.

 

[Alex F]

I have a 10'6" Avon airdeck with a 6HP Tohatsu; the whole thing weighs maybe 100 Lbs. It fits neatly on the swim platform with no davit system, secures with two lines to the stern cleats, and has stayed put in 4-5' chop on the Chesapeake Bay. I did not have to drill any holes in the boat, and the swim platform has no hardware to catch a toe.

Skip,
I'm scratching my head about the davits and your post makes me think that I may get away witout it. Do you keep the motor on the dinghy when it's sitting on the platform or do you take the motor off? My older dinghy had small electrical motor so this was not an issue. But, now I have 8.6' dinghy with 4hp Tohatsu and I'm not sure if it'll fit just as well with the motor on the dinghy.

BTW, 100lb total sounds extremelly light for both dinghy and the motor providing that the motor is about 60lb. I'd say it's more like 150lb or so of total weight. Am I wrong?

 

[Skip]

The avon airdeck is something like 65 Lbs and the 6 Hp Tohatsu is around 55 or so--so add 20 lbs to my estimate, plus the fuel tank...mea culpa.
I launch and retrieve myself and it is not that big a deal. I also built a bracket based on Jim's recommendation to hold the dinghy in place.
I leave the Tohatsu on the transom--one less moving piece.

 

[Alex F]

Skip,

are you saying that you have a special bracket to keep the motor more securely on the transom? Does it mean that motor's clamp bracket is not strong enough to hold it in place? Would you mind sharing a picture or some other details on your bracket?

 

[Skip]

Alex,
You'll need to take a close look at the width of your platform compared to the beam on your dinghy. The 420DA has a large platform, so very little of my dinghy's beam extends over the edge of the platform, making the arrangement very stable.

 

[Skip]

No--I was not clear. I run a line around the center of the dinghy, then through the power cord hole in the 420's transom. I built a U-shaped bracket that sits inside the transom storage locker to tie the line to. Again, no holes were drilled in the boat to secure the dinghy.

 

[quality time]

I did as Skip does last year but it didn't work well for me. With my boat having a bolt on platform that is much lower to the water, the dinghy "dances" all over the place at idle speed. It is very easy to swamp the dinghy when coming off plane also.

 

[Carver370]

It depends on what style dinghy you are looking at. I know of a 420 that has a freedom lift on it and the owner is very pleased with it.

The unique part of the freedom lift is that you are able to remove the cradle supports when not in use and it doesn't look like the boat even has them!

 

[Alex F]

Alex,
You'll need to take a close look at the width of your platform compared to the beam on your dinghy. The 420DA has a large platform, so very little of my dinghy's beam extends over the edge of the platform, making the arrangement very stable.

Skip,
My platform is 36" wide and the new dinghy is 5' wide. So, that leaves 2' hanging over the platform, which I don't think should be a problem since the center line of the dinghy will be sitting about 6" in to the platform width. I've carried my 6.5' dinghy on the platform for few years now (even on my 240DA). On 320DA this dinghy hangs over the platform only about 1'.

No--I was not clear. I run a line around the center of the dinghy, then through the power cord hole in the 420's transom. I built a U-shaped bracket that sits inside the transom storage locker to tie the line to. Again, no holes were drilled in the boat to secure the dinghy.

I see what you mean now. Thanks for clarification.

I did as Skip does last year but it didn't work well for me. With my boat having a bolt on platform that is much lower to the water, the dinghy "dances" all over the place at idle speed. It is very easy to swamp the dinghy when coming off plane also.

quality time,

My platform is also bolted on and sits lower than integrated platforms, but I never had dinghy "dancing" problem. Only one or two times I've noticed it when I came of plane a littlte too fast, but it very rare. Other than that even running in the ocean it was fine. So, with my new dinghy my only concern is the motor. I haven't tried putting the whole rig up (boat is not launched yet), so I'm not sure how the motor will be positioned to the platform when it's tilted.

 

[Sum Escape]

So considering a inflatable and dont want to deal with breaking it down each time we go out, so a davit is a must. Anyone out there have the Hurley system? Looks like the easiest for one person to operate and should minimize effect on cruise speed, plus no need to remove the engine, and can take the mechanism off when not in use. Any thoughts out there?

Hurley works great for us. Zodiac 10'6" and 15 HP 2 stroke. See pic attached.

 

[quality time]

Alex,
I left my motor on just locked in the tilt position, I actually bungy corded it so it couldn't drop down. My platform is LOOOOW because of the CATS. A couple inches lower than a gas powered 380...

 

[trit21]

You can just leave the dink on the platform as mentioned above but I don't personally like it, I think you will get greater wear on the transom/rubber junction of the dink this way plus it tends to get beat up a little more since it is right on the platform. I did it that way for a month or so and it is alot harder to pull the dink with motor on the swim platform than you think, resistance. The dinghy davits make is easier plus you can swing mine up, tie off, in order to use the platform without totally removing the dink from the mounts.

 

[Alex F]

Tom,

I agree with you for the most part, but from having smaller dinghy for few years I didn't noticed extra ware by the transome from having the boat just on the platform. It wares off more when kids drag it to the shore, but I'm keeping that under control as soon as I had noticed that. I just can't justify in my mind paying for two "plastic" parts with brackets anywhere between $500-$900 or more for carrying relatevelly light dinghy. If I had larger boat with larger dinghy or PWC there would be no questions, but for now I'm not 100% convinced. I'm following few threads and thinking to make my own ramps, but I'm still not sure which approach I like better. I think once my boat is ready and I'll try using the dinghy couple of times I'll have much better idea what I'm doing. So, for now I keep my options open.

...My platform is LOOOOW because of the CATS. A couple inches lower than a gas powered 380...

That for sure explains it.

 

[skolbe]

I have mine setup like Alex - I actually lift up to the upper platform - it does fine - but I did have the motor drop once when loading it and chipped the swim platform lid edge.