Hurley Davit

[bmac]

I just bought the kids a new 11' Jet RIB and am thinking of using a Hurley Davit for it. For anyone that uses a Hurley what's your experience been? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Skeetobite]

What is the weight of the RIB and how high is the top of your platform from the water?

 

[SR400DB]

I have a similar set up from nautical structures. I have a Avon 9' rib and an 8 horse merc on it. This set up works ok, but if I ever trade up my next boat will have a hydraulic davit/platform lift. It usually takes two to pull my dinghy up and rock it onto the platform. Overall I am pretty happy (especially the cost mine was $1500 in ) and it gets the job done. I don't know if the hurley is all stainless or not, mine is and has a weight limit of 350 lbs.

 

[Converse48]

I just bought the kids a new 11' Jet RIB and am thinking of using a Hurley Davit for it. For anyone that uses a Hurley what's your experience been? Thanks in advance for the help.

Bmac-
I have the same boat as you and I use the Hurley davits for my 3.1 meter RIB with a 9.9 HP engine on it. I would heartily NOT recommend using the Hurley's with your jet which is surely hundreds of pounds heaver than my rig.

The problem with the Hurley system and our boats is that our swim platforms are too high off the water for the Hurley to work effectively. Once the davit goes vertical, it loses all of its mechanical advantage and in that case the mechanical advantage becomes you, as you have to pull the dinghy 90 degrees out of the water and up a half a foot before the davit can offer any real help. Oh and when you get to that point, you'd better be sure that the dinghy is centered properly on the davit or else you have to start all over again,

This was a frustrating and back breaking process with my lightweight rig. I actually flipped my dinghy upside down twice, submerging the engine, before I figured out a solution that allowed me to come to peace with the Hurley's (see below). Luckily, I have a 2 cycle engine so the dunkings were not that big a deal.

Anyway, they way I now do it is to attach a 4:1 block and tackle to the base of a stanchion on the flying bridge and to a harness that I made for the dinghy. I use the block and tackle to pull the dinghy up and onto the platform. The block and tackle has a cam cleat on it, so I can stop anywhere in the middle of lifting to make sure the dinghy is properly centered. And the block and tackle will not allow the dinghy to do a back flip into the water. The whole operation takes a minute and a half. When launching the dinghy, gravity is on my side so that is easy.

I would not be comfortable lifting that much extra weight with a block and tackle from a stanchion base. Plus I would think that the Hurley's have a weight limit too.

Hope this helps. And I'm very jealous of the jet... nice addition (if you can figure out where to put it)!

 

[CAMELLA]

You can also check out this thread about davit systems.
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14572

 

[doozie]

Festivus, I am also looking at Hurley, how far off the water is you platform, I'm guessing I may have the same problem. Thanks Bob

 

[osd9]

Doozie:

You shouldn't have the same platform height problem. The newer design integrated platforms, started typically in late 2003, are much higher off the water than yours.....and mine.

 

[bmac]

Thanks for all the replies. The jet boat weighs 550 lbs. Hurley has told me they use a three cradle system to increase the working capacity. I think they use aluminum not stainless. My platform is 13 inches off the water so I am concerned about getting the dinghy back on the lift. I'm also a little concerned about the capacity of the platform, though it is integral and I certainly have had more than 600 pounds of stuff on it. I'm waiting for an answer from Sea Ray on that issue.

 

[bmac]

Festivus

One other concern I had...The jet boat is 3.2m, roughly the same length as yours. I dock stern in. Is there enough room on your platform with the dink on to gain access to the cockpit from the platform? Thanks. Brian

 

[PMvdb395DA]

Thanks for all the replies. The jet boat weighs 550 lbs. Hurley has told me they use a three cradle system to increase the working capacity. I think they use aluminum not stainless. My platform is 13 inches off the water so I am concerned about getting the dinghy back on the lift. I'm also a little concerned about the capacity of the platform, though it is integral and I certainly have had more than 600 pounds of stuff on it. I'm waiting for an answer from Sea Ray on that issue.

Hurley just see $$$$

13 inches and 550lbs, what do you think yourself....
Even with 2 man it's difficult because what Festivus says.

My Dinghy weighs 90lbs and my platform is much lower.
I am 6.7 and I can just lift it.

And it's a good idea to give Sea Ray a call!

Peter

 

[Converse48]

Festivus

One other concern I had...The jet boat is 3.2m, roughly the same length as yours. I dock stern in. Is there enough room on your platform with the dink on to gain access to the cockpit from the platform? Thanks. Brian

Yes, I have room to access the transom door from the swim platform while the dinghy is on the davits.

 

[Asureyez]

Facts from the front line on Hurley davits. These units are simple and simple to install. But are not universally appropriate.

I have a 310 RIB (Light weight 140LBS) and a 15HP Niossan 4 stroker with electric start (140LBS), plus gear and fuel at 60pounds and you have typical rib tender with a somehwat heavier engine all in at 340 lbs. MY swim platform is 21" off the water and the rib is 43" gunnel to gunnel. I have to stand the tender on its edge holding it into to the verticle Hurly bunk with lines running under the tender to the outboard D-Rings, and then have two additional guys honk it down. There is NO mechanical advantage until the tender passes the 45 degree tilt angle. It loads like trying to beach a whale and can not be done by one tiny Miss Michigan!

I Discussed this with Mr. Hurly at the Lauderdale Boat show and he's made some work around suggestions all involving more than one crew and a block and tackle.

In my specific application on a 460, the tip up system sucks and it would be the same with any design, not just Hurly.

With a Tender like you have give serious consideration to a side loading roller system and an electric windless to pull it on to the platform, or adding a davit crane (I'm serious) to drop it on its bunks.

Good luck.

 

[johnsross3]

I use the Hurley system on a 370 Sedan bridge. My swim platform is about 8" off the water. I have a 10'6" soft bottom but aluminum floored dinghy with a Honda 9.9 outboard. All told, I'm estimating the total weight to be about 250lbs. It is a bit of a heave ho to get the dinghy on the Hurley by myself. Without the motor, it would be alot easier, but who wants to be taking the motor on and off? And I wouldn't want to be doing it with any heavier load than I already or, trying to do it on a swim platform any further off the water.

I'd agree with others assessments here, Hurley, or any tip-up davit system, is not the direction I'd go for your setup. If I were you, I'd give serious consideration to a crane type solution.

 

[Converse48]

From the "too-much-time-on-my-hands" department: Here's a diagram I made of how I lift my dinghy on with the Hurley system. The top diagram shows how the harness is attached to the dinghy. Yes, the outboard harness lead goes under the dinghy and attaches to the lifting ring. The harness is way offset because I leave the engine on the dinghy. Again, this process takes about 90 seconds, and I do not use the harness to launch. Getting to step 2 is the hard part.

And for the record, I've named the 4:1 block and tackle "Miss Michigan"

Please excuse the crudity of these drawings, I didn't have time to draw them to scale or to color them (anyone know that movie reference?):

 

[Warren]

I love my Hurley davits but you may be pushing it with the weight and height involved. I have an 8hp on a 75 lb inflatable/aluminum RIB so less that 200 lb. including the fuel tank, gear, etc. The aluminum construction is durable and will not rust but if you go ahead do buy the nylon inserts as the powder coated surface will scratch. It's a great product and it's really perfect for our boat but you need to do a lot of research before you leap. (Also: as you may know Todd Hurley is a member on this forum and he periodically extends a forum discount.)
Warren

 

[bmac]

Well, thanks to all for their responses. Now I'm not sure what to do. Festivus, I did plan on using an electric (dc) winch in much the same arrangement as you use. The RIB comes with two lifting eyes on the interior floor, specifically for this purpose. I'll have to think a bit before I make any decisions on which way to go, but I will review all of your points with Tanya at Hurley before making any decisions.

 

[bmac]

Oh and Festivus......great response with your diagrams, thanks......and yes you do win this weeks "too much time on your hands" award :smt038

From the "too-much-time-on-my-hands" department: Here's a diagram I made of how I lift my dinghy on with the Hurley system. The top diagram shows how the harness is attached to the dinghy. Yes, the outboard harness lead goes under the dinghy and attaches to the lifting ring. The harness is way offset because I leave the engine on the dinghy. Again, this process takes about 90 seconds, and I do not use the harness to launch. Getting to step 2 is the hard part.

And for the record, I've named the 4:1 block and tackle "Miss Michigan"

Please excuse the crudity of these drawings, I didn't have time to draw them to scale or to color them (anyone know that movie reference?):

 

[Four Suns]

There is no way you will be able to pull that jet boat up on Hurley Davits... I don't care what the Hurley guys say... It takes four (4) people to slide my dinghy off of the jet ski trailer and put it on a rolling cradle for winter storage. Even then, it is very difficult.

The other thing you will have to worry about is the tubes on the dinghy are not meant to hold the weight of the boat and so if you start pulling on tubes to haul 600 pounds of fiberglass and engine and jet drive, you'll damage the tubes.

My Zodiac Pro Jet is a heavy boat and you either need a crane or a hydraulic lift. Also, you will need to have a platform capacity of 800 pounds. Boat + you = 800 pounds.

 

[bmac]

Gary, thanks for weighing in. I have a question in to Sea Ray on the capacity of my platform (it's integral so it should be fairly high). I'm not inclined to go with a lift like you have so I may look into a crane. This is beginning to be more trouble than it may be worth. The kids will NOT be happy :smt089

There is no way you will be able to pull that jet boat up on Hurley Davits... I don't care what the Hurley guys say... It takes four (4) people to slide my dinghy off of the jet ski trailer and put it on a rolling cradle for winter storage. Even then, it is very difficult.

The other thing you will have to worry about is the tubes on the dinghy are not meant to hold the weight of the boat and so if you start pulling on tubes to haul 600 pounds of fiberglass and engine and jet drive, you'll damage the tubes.

My Zodiac Pro Jet is a heavy boat and you either need a crane or a hydraulic lift. Also, you will need to have a platform capacity of 800 pounds. Boat + you = 800 pounds.

 

[dgrumm]

I have the Hurley davits (because it came on the boat), and a RIB w/9.9 Merc 2 stroke. My platform is only about 8" from the water and it can be a real chore to get it onto the platform. One of my first tasks this summer will be the block and tackle. I am only 29yrs old and this process can kick my ass after a day in the sun. I leave the tender at the dock sometimes just so I don't have to haul it onto the platform! Your setup seems WAY to heavy for a pivot style system. The side load seems more feasible if you don't mind the hardware on the platform.