Hydraulic Swim Platforms by Florida Bow Thruster

[Good 2 Go]

Yes it's a double hull RIB, HB-315DX, 10'4", 159 lbs. They have single hull version as well a little lighter but the inside floor has the same V as the bottom, I wanted a flat floor inside. Wanted Hypalon so came down to AB or Achilles for me and between those two it's really personal preference on the little stuff. Achilles has overlap seams everywhere taped inside and out AB only taped on the outside and overlapped on the bow and stern I believe. Other small stuff were things like front compartment has rubber gasket on the lid, AB did not, you'll love this one, GF liked the handles better on the Achilles, they are made of Hypalon so softer, says I run around so fast she needs to hold on tight so liked the soft handles, okay. Both are probably 20 year boats so personal preference.

Caribe is a quality boat but hard to find up here in Mid-Atlantic, same with Avon, none coming in this year so only available are leftovers. Repair guy who worked on my Zodiac last year warned me away from Apex, says they are junk, I didn't look at them so don't know first hand.

 

[Hampton]

Getting close, install scheduled for next Wednesday, will let you know how it goes. Picking up my new dink Saturday, decided on an Achilles instead of the WM special and took the $1k price break. Wasn't impressed with the WM dinks, the Achilles is a nice boat, got the double hull with the waterproof compartment up front. I should be floating again by April 1st and trying everything out.

Congratulations on the new boat, that is awesome.

I've got the same plan - Achilles and all. What HP?

 

[Pseudomind]

Yes it's a double hull RIB, HB-315DX, 10'4", 159 lbs. They have single hull version as well a little lighter but the inside floor has the same V as the bottom, I wanted a flat floor inside. Wanted Hypalon so came down to AB or Achilles for me and between those two it's really personal preference on the little stuff. Achilles has overlap seams everywhere taped inside and out AB only taped on the outside and overlapped on the bow and stern I believe. Other small stuff were things like front compartment has rubber gasket on the lid, AB did not, you'll love this one, GF liked the handles better on the Achilles, they are made of Hypalon so softer, says I run around so fast she needs to hold on tight so liked the soft handles, okay. Both are probably 20 year boats so personal preference.

Caribe is a quality boat but hard to find up here in Mid-Atlantic, same with Avon, none coming in this year so only available are leftovers. Repair guy who worked on my Zodiac last year warned me away from Apex, says they are junk, I didn't look at them so don't know first hand.

Thanks for you answer. did Steve from Sealift mention anything about you being able to get on plane with this dinghy. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but the told me. The SeaLift would not work with my current system, but let's say my current dinghy and motor comes to 350 without five gallons of fuel, add another 50 pounds for tank with full fuel. 400 pounds total.

Your current configuration 159 pounds for dinghy, and at least probably over 100 pounds for a motor the 50 pounds for full fuel. I wonder where your planing will go to?

I do not believe there is that big of a difference between your 2004 transom and my 2002 transom on our boats. True I may have a bit more overall boat weight, but we do have the same engines.

I have to admit I like the dinghy system you are going for, and as Hampton has asked, "What size motor?"

I am just a bit baffled by the only around 100 pound difference, unless there is some other factor not mentioned? :huh:

Again thanks!

 

[Carver370]

Thanks for you answer. did Steve from Sealift mention anything about you being able to get on plane with this dinghy. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but the told me. The SeaLift would not work with my current system, but let's say my current dinghy and motor comes to 350 without five gallons of fuel, add another 50 pounds for tank with full fuel. 400 pounds total.

Your current configuration 159 pounds for dinghy, and at least probably over 100 pounds for a motor the 50 pounds for full fuel. I wonder where your planing will go to?

I do not believe there is that big of a difference between your 2004 transom and my 2002 transom on our boats. True I may have a bit more overall boat weight, but we do have the same engines.

I have to admit I like the dinghy system you are going for, and as Hampton has asked, "What size motor?"

I am just a bit baffled by the only around 100 pound difference, unless there is some other factor not mentioned? :huh:

Again thanks!

He has a 340 with the same engines as your boat, the 340 is smaller, lighter, and overall the platform would be smaller as well. Plus the 100 lbs. off the dinghy makes it a whole different story.

 

[Good 2 Go]

Hampton, I have a 15 Merc 2 stroke for the dink, same engine I used on my Zodiac Air Floor. Can't beat the two strokes in my opinion, 76 lbs. I used to run the carb dry and lay it down in the cockpit if I needed to for long runs with my old slide on davits, didn't like the weight of the engine bouncing back and forth on the transom/tube joint of my air floor. 15 hp 4 strokes weigh in at 135 lbs, ouch, and can't lay them down.

Pseudomind, my dink and motor will be 235, plus gas, 3 gallon tank, 250 lbs total. Sea Ray now offers the Sealift as an option on the 350 and 370, the 370 is essentially my 340. On a 350 it was reported adding the lift and 250 lbs of load resulted in no difference in time to plane or max speed. I did see a post somewhere that someone reworked their props to adjust the running attitude after adding a lift, don't remember what boat he had but I asked Steve and he had not heard of anyone needing to do that. I also contacted Sea Ray and asked if they adjust the props if adding the lift and was told no. I have to say, my model 340 with the 8.1s comes on plane like a jackrabbit, without tabs. When I sea trialed my boat I was blown away by it, coming from an outdrive boat every other inboard I had sea trialed over the years felt like a dog but not the case with the latest version of the 340. So all that said I will report real life findings once I'm in early April.

 

[Good 2 Go]

Pseudomind, forgot to mention that the max load on the Sealift for my installation is 350 lbs, maybe that had something to do with what you were told. Also your 380 is 2800 lbs heavier than a 340, 15,500 vs 18,300, with the same power.

 

[Pseudomind]

Well I have much to consider about a dinghy transport method.

I like the Achilles dinghy "God 2 Go" is purchasing, 151 pounds I believe and around $3,500.00?

Yamaha has a 9.9 four stroke at 91 pounds and a 15 and 20 horsepower at 115 pounds, maybe in the $2,500.00 range

The Seaweed system shipping weight is 94 pounds and the cost is north of $5,000.00

3-5 gallons of fuel around 24-40 pounds maybe in the $12.00 - $20.00 range :smt043

So total weight range 151 + 115 + 94 = 360 pounds, plus fuel weight

Close to $11,000.00 cost for this and I do not even know if it will work or not, nor what the installation cost may be yet. :huh:

Do any other CSR 380 owners carry a dinghy?

According to Sea Ray swim platform is rated for 600 pounds, but here the issue is more performance and the fulcrum affect to be considered.

How much do the other type davits typically weight? The swim platform swivel down type. Even the weight of the ones some members have made themselves from Starboard.

And lastly "Good 2 Go" I believe we have two completely different swim platforms and transoms. I believe you have the built in swim platform and I have the bolted on platform.

Any other CSR members who have any experience with the same year range/model 380 (2002) feel free to chime in. OSD9 and Four Suns had a 380, did you carry a dinghy on the platform, if so what would you figure you weight to have been and how did you carry it, the swivel down type davits, did you remove the motor and fuel during transport, etc?

A big thanks to all who reply with some information.

:thumbsup:

 

[Jaws]

Pseudomind,

You will enjoy the Seaweed Tend'r Rollers, if that's what you are contemplating. I had them on my previous boat, a 365 Four Winns with a 3.5 foot extended aluminum platform by Seaweed. It was a very convenient system and easier to use than my current Florida Bow Thrusters/ GHS platform because the retieval is easier with the roll on/ roll off arrangement. The dinghy I had weighed around 450 lbs and while it did alter the waterline a bit when loaded, the boat performed well. I easily removed the system (and its weight) for long trips when desired, but that's a fair amount of weight for a 36' boat to hang off its stern yet it handled it well. If your dinghy and motor would be 350 lbs or less, you should have no issues along with a substantial safety margin.

If you want any further information on the Seaweed system, let me know. I have found that Rudy and Ryan are very good to work with.

James

 

[Carver370]

11K and some time spent with a drill, epoxy and 3M 4200 for a roll on system and a dinghy with a new motor vs. 12k-20k for a hydraulic system plus installation and you don't even have a dinghy yet. Seems like a no brainer to me?

 

[Pseudomind]

11K and some time spent with a drill, epoxy and 3M 4200 for a roll on system and a dinghy with a new motor vs. 12k-20k for a hydraulic system plus installation and you don't even have a dinghy yet. Seems like a no brainer to me?

Well I do have a dinghy, (see signature) and since Sealift with their 250 pound cradle and my curent dinghy at 350 pounds plus would probably cause issues with planning with my boat and engines, I am looking or trying to find primarily performance related issues beforehand, before outlaying any additional funds.

The dinghy I have is a damn nice all fiberglass dinghy with a 25 HP Yamaha which runs nicely. I also have a trailer for it, sunbrella seat pads, sunbrella cover, five gallon fuel tank.

Note: I would have to sell it first, I would sell all for $4,500.00 firm.

I have the Boss Pro 10" 4" basically the same as this at the link below; (I just noticed on their site they list the weight as 275 pounds, add my 25 Yamaha HP at around 150 pounds, plus gas would put me at around 460 pounds.. This is why I am looking at alternatives first. Towing mine can be a pain,as I typically do not have any help when operationg. yada,yada, etc,etc. :huh:

Rigidboats

 

[Carver370]

Well I do have a dinghy, (see signature) and since Sealift with their 250 pound cradle and my curent dinghy at 350 pounds plus would probably cause issues with planning with my boat and engines, I am looking or trying to find primarily performance related issues beforehand, before outlaying any additional funds.

The dinghy I have is a damn nice all fiberglass dinghy with a 25 HP Yamaha which runs nicely. I also have a trailer for it, sunbrella seat pads, sunbrella cover, five gallon fuel tank.

Note: I would have to sell it first, I would sell all for $4,500.00 firm.

I have the Boss Pro 10" 4" basically the same as this at the link below; (I just noticed on their site they list the weight as 275 pounds, add my 25 Yamaha HP at around 150 pounds, plus gas would put me at around 460 pounds.. This is why I am looking at alternatives first. Towing mine can be a pain,as I typically do not have any help when operationg. yada,yada, etc,etc. :huh:

Rigidboats

Seems like you would be perfectly fine with a seaweed system and your current RIB.

 

[Pseudomind]

Seems like you would be perfectly fine with a seaweed system and your current RIB.

That would be nice but I would like to hear from others with their setups and boat type. The achilles would cut down the weight by about 124 pounds.

So I would now be down to around 336 pounds plus perhaps 70-80 for the Seaweed system, lets say 420 pounds, which would probably be a better deal long term. Maybe swivel davits and a winch in the transom locker for a further weight reduction, probably be under 400 pounds, perhaps 375 (the winch weight would not add to the fulcrum affect since it would be in the transom) West Marine has electric winches for around $90.00.

 

[Good 2 Go]

You are correct, my swim platform is integrated and about 26" from the water. The SeaLift will add a 37" platform beyond my integrated platform.

I made a set of 'slide on' davits last year like others out on the forum have done, used Weaver receivers so they were removable. The height of my platform made retrieval of even my lightweight rig, 55 lbs air floor Zodiac and 76 lbs 2 stroke Merc a handful by myself, with a second person it wasn't bad. But it blocked up my entire platform making access when docking difficult. I also didn't think my air floor boat would hold up running with the motor on, a primary objective, to carry fully rigged. The boat supported only by the davits is very different than when the boat is floating. A nice try but not really suited to my boat, only spent about $150 on the project so was a worthwhile learning experience nonetheless.

While your platform is closer to the water and a better suited for a low cost slide on system, the weight of your rig would not work out for you. A 44 SB in my marina has a 'bought' slide on system and he installed a winch in his transom locker to facilitate retrieval of his rig when he moved to a heavier RIB. It works but not ideal.

My two cents would be to go for a lighter dingy set up which would open up your choices as to how to carry it. I got the new Achilles for $3200 within driving distance so avoiding shipping cost. Personally I like my 2 stroke for it's light weight, mixing the oil isn't a big deal to me, the dingy salesman said 2 strokes provide a little better performance with the dink, first I had heard that. Can't buy them new in the states anymore so either have to smuggle one in from the Caribbean or pick up a used one. Though you quoted some lighter 4 strokes so also an option while keeping with the going lighter idea.

Good Luck!

 

[Good 2 Go]

Update?

Hampton,
Had my Sea Lift install done on 3/16 by National Bow Thrusters, team of 2 completed in about 6 hours and did a nice job, neat an tidy as it should be. Finally launched today and got to try everything out, first impression is very positive. Boat performance was not affected, cruising speed the same as I had before at my slow and fast cruise RPM, top end the same, time to plane felt the same, maybe a tad longer, but didn't time it, once on plane running attitude still between 4 and 5 degrees. I do have slightly more bow rise out of the hole , guessing my bow wave increased some from the extra weight aft, but wasn't excessive. With no tabs it gets over the hump easily pushing half throttle with steady acceleration so I'm pretty happy with that. Did a launch and retrieval of the dink, worked very well. Probably the hardest part was working out the tie downs but I'm sure I'll get that worked out after a few times. Access across my transom from my original platform is good, probably 20 to 24 inches? Easily enough room to handle lines, electric cords and such. Overall very satisfied and think the Sea Lift was the right solution for my boat.

Did a quick spin on the new Achilles RIB and was impressed as well, my 15 HP got it on plane easily and cruised along with a good turn of speed with my brother and I on board, probably a 450 lb payload. A lot more stable than my air floor as would be expected and nice handling when running.

Let the season begin for us Chesapeake Bay boaters!

 

[Hampton]

All great news. My Sea Lift goes on Monday. Don't have a RIB yet. What are the details on yours? Does it have a console, or do you control it with a handle on the engine?

 

[vandal]

F.B.T. was in my marina this week did two 340 bow thrusters in 5 days . The work they did was top notch they know what they are doing.

 

[Good 2 Go]

All great news. My Sea Lift goes on Monday. Don't have a RIB yet. What are the details on yours? Does it have a console, or do you control it with a handle on the engine?

I got an Achilles HB-315DX, 10'4", no console so steer with the tiller on the motor, boat and motor weigh 235 lbs, lift capacity on my boat is 350 lbs so well below that, has a nice waterproof locker up in the bow. $3200 from inflatableboatparts.com, they beat Defender on price and were great to work with, came in on a Saturday so I could pick my boat up even though are usually closed on weekends. Check them out and talk with Bruce, he got back to me very quickly on all my inquiries. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at console boats because of weight but personally don't think they make sense under 11', consoles are an option on a 10 footer but a lot of space is used up making the boat less practical for my purposes, I usually have 2 or 4 on board gunk-holing during the day up into the shallow creeks on the bay, sitting on the tube is fine for me. From my short run Thursday the boat is very dry so could use it to ferry into port if on the hook or a mooring for dinner and not worry about getting wet, you know, when I break out the blue blazer, yeah right. Thing is once you go to a full console boat you are adding a battery, power tilt, FG seat and console, nice amenities but a considerable jump in weight. With a 12' beam on my boat the 10'4" fills out the beam at my stern so wouldn't want any longer, guessing your beam is in the 14'range and you will be less weight sensitive with the 44' so probably is an option for your new ride. Forgot to mention earlier, I removed the swim ladder from my integrated platform and had the holes fiber-glassed up, that sucker is a heavy duty ladder, weighted 22 lbs! Looks nicer and saved some weight aft.

I guy in my marina picked up an almost new AB 11' or 12' console with 4 stroke Honda on it, it weights in at over 600 lbs, way too heavy for my boat and set up. He's going with a Freedom Lift on a 40' Doral with IPS, he is concerned about weight also but is going to give it a try, willing to back it down if he needs to. He mentioned that Doral recommends Sea Lift, not sure why he went with the Freedom. On a 40' with IPS I'm guessing he will be okay.

Personally I like running the dink from the tiller anyway, reminds me of my motorcycle days when I was a teenager racing motocross. Let me know how everything works out for you.

 

[dark-side]

I'm concerned about the weight on the transom. The old owner had an AB console on the boat and iy squatted without the dinghy. I passed on his dinghy and will use my Caribe 11 light with a 15hp 4-stroke Yamaha instead. it weighs about 250LB.