Dinghie / Engine and Hauler davits system for 360 DA

[Hugo]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a dinghie for my 360 Sundancer.

I'm interested in the Zodiac 285 FastRoller Avti-V http://www.zodiac.ca/the-zodiac-range/pop.cadet-fastroller.cfm# with a Suzuki 6 HP 4-stroke with internal fuel tank http://www.suzukimarine.com/sr_09/df6-4-2.5/features/. Need to be for 2 adults/2 kids

Also, the previous owner of my boat had Hauler Davits system installed. I would like to get a swivel motor bracket so I could leave the engine on the dinghie at all time.
https://www.adventuremarine.net/

Any suggestions or comments on my choices ?

Thanks,
Hugo

 

[Hugo]

Pictures of the Hauler Davits system and the swivel motor bracket.

 

[tobnpr]

Just playin' devil's advocate here.
I looked at numerous systems, including the ones you mention, Hurley Davits, and others.

Didn't take long to realize I needed a system whereby the motor could stay mounted on the dinghy (270 Airdeck, hypalon). I wanted enough power to plane the dinghy, so I needed an 8hp Merc- close to 90 lbs. No way to get that thing on/off in the water without risking it becoming a $2000 anchor.

There are two potential concerns I have with this type of system- one, most of the weight of the dinghy, and all the weight of the engine- is resting on that skinny little holder (prob around 150 lbs.) I'm not sure the tube is designed to take that...

Other issue is trying to pull the dinghy up out of the water- nearly 200 lbs and I'm not sure how easy/practical that would be. I'd find someone who's actually done this and get their feedback before proceeding.

I ended up with a pair of St. Croix davits mounted on the swim platform.

 

[Jaws]

Hugo,

Perhaps I could comment here as well since I have gone through various dinghy and storage solutions over the years.

Our small aft cabin suited the Weaver snap brackets because the dinghy at that time was light (inflatable keel) and easily hoisted. Problem was the the 8 hp motor was difficult to remove safely in rolling seas and as mentioned might become an "anchor". At the time (maybe it's still offered) Weaver had a lever system that would allow the dinghy motor to stay on the inflatable and pivot. I ruled it out because the swim platform just didn't seem sturdy enough to support everything. So, I got a crane (Garhauer, I think) and it easily hoisted the motor to the aft deck securely. That system worked well.

My problems began when I went to a larger R.I.B. with an 18 hp motor with steering station. Could not remove the motor. So I went to a vertical lift twin davit system from Atkins and Hoyle (similar to St. Croix but really over-built) and that lifted the entire arrangement and securely stowed it. The issue was that it took 15 minutes to deploy the dinghy and almost 30 min. to retrieve and secure it. That was with an aft cabin boat.

Our next boat was an express and I still had that heavy R.I.B. A guy at our marina developed a roll on, roll off system that worked exceptionally well. One minute to either deploy or retreive. Very secure as well. It had an electric winch option but there was no need because the manual winch had a pretty good gear advantage. Why not look at something like that? I can supply details if you want.

Our present Sundancer has a hydraulic platform but it takes a bit of time to properly position the dinghy as the platform comes out of the water. I think that on my next boat??? I would probably go back to a fixed platform and a roll on, roll off system.

Just my 2 cents.

James

 

[ezwoo]

Do you have nay pictures of the roll off/on system?

 

[Jaws]

Go to www.seaweedmarine.com . I had a prototype set of the Tend'r Rollers when he was developing them. Check the Photo Galleries and you will see what I was suggesting. They sell both U.S. and Canadian distribution right from their shop. For the dinghy that I had, its weight was around 450 lbs. so I used the heavy duty set with the manual winch.

Anyways I had good luck with this set up but I'm sure there are other good systems out there.

James