Installing davits on 2004 420 DA swim platform

[BVasily]

The platform on my 420 DA is molded to the transom with no obvious ways to get an arm or wrench inside. How have others attached davits?
Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[CAMELLA]

You have access to the inside of the swim platform from the engine room. I had Nautley Dinghy Ramp on my 420 before adding a hydraulic lift (SeaLift). The one negative is the height of the swim platform which can be an issue when retrieving the dinghy, the weight is the biggest factor.

 

[BVasily]

Thanks Jon. What dingy system (other than hydrolic) would you recommend? I want to minimize the loss of swim platform area.

 

[Gary Hill]

Although ours is a 40 DA my signature pic shows how I installed St. Croix davits to our 390 DA and then our 40 DA. You can reach up underneath and work. Tight on a 40, I would hope you have a little more room.

 

[bajturner]

The platform on my 420 DA is molded to the transom with no obvious ways to get an arm or wrench inside. How have others attached davits?
Any advice would be most appreciated.

I just had a system from a company in Midland, ON called Dinghy Caddy installed this year. So far I am very happy with it. Very high quality and you don't need to add any parts to the dinghy if it is a RIB. A nice feature is when the dinghy is off the lift, it folds down into the water and the swim platform is completely clear. PM me if you want more details.

 

[Molson]

I just had a system from a company in Midland, ON called Dinghy Caddy installed this year. So far I am very happy with it. Very high quality and you don't need to add any parts to the dinghy if it is a RIB. A nice feature is when the dinghy is off the lift, it folds down into the water and the swim platform is completely clear. PM me if you want more details.

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I also have a dinghy caddy and recommend it. I also have the same highfield dinghy!

 

[searay495]

Gary, what type of St. Croix davits do you have on the boat in your signature picture. They look like they take up very little space.

 

[searay495]

BTW, I have Weaver Davits from my 2002 340 Sundancer, which were easy to use because the swim platform was at the water level. On the 2003 340 the swim platform is much higher, and I can't imagine having to lift the dingy up on to the davits.

 

[CAMELLA]

I recommend the Nautley Dinghy Ramp HD or the Hurley System. Both disconnect from your swim platform when not in use.

 

[Rocket]

I had the same St Croix System installed on my 2004 420 DA as Gary Hill. You will drill down into your swim platform, which is cored, and then bolt through with backing plates. You will need a second hand to install them, one guy on the platform, another in the bilge, contorted and upside down with a socket Wrench! After installing i did not care for the movement, Flex in the swim platform with the weight. So we worked with the owner of St Croix to custom build stainless backer plates and extensions to transfer the load to a more solid Beam. Alot of work but was very happy with it when done as you dont lose the platform, hangs off the back, and you dont kill yourself retrieving the dinghy.

 

[Gary Hill]

Gary, what type of St. Croix davits do you have on the boat in your signature picture. They look like they take up very little space.

I have their Model 500 davits. They are out of the way, which is why I did this instalation on two boats. Neither the 390 or 40DA was cored and I don't think yours will be either. I did build up the underside and made I beam like structures to tie the weight forward to the stringer type structure.

The system works awsome. When deployed and not in use, the dink floats on the water with the lift lines hooked up loose and the dink dosn't go anywhere. Another advantage when floating loose like I just described is that the two arms act as handles as you step on and off the dink. Until I get that 650Fly I will not have anything else.

 

[searay495]

Tough choices and most are pretty expensive!! I appreciate the input. Hard decision since I already have all the Weaver Davit parts.

 

[bajturner]

I think a big part of your decision will be dictated by how you use your boat. For us, with two small kids we do a ton of anchoring and mooring with the kids swimming off the swim platform. As such, my key functional goals were:
- use up as little swim platform space as possible
- minimize the number of toe stubbers and the amount of hardware to be added to the swim platform
- maintain access across the entire transom
- easy to remove and/or hide away when the dinghy is launched

Other goals:
- mitigate possible structural damage and avoid modifications to the boat
- add little or nothing to the dinghy
- retain as close to a factory look as possible once the mount is removed
- simple and elegant to operate
- allow the same use of the boat at speed and in weather as without the dinghy mounted, with as few concerns as possible

I spent the winter mulling this over and it came down to St. Croix and Dinghy Caddy for a number of reasons. I didn't like the cantilever design of the St. Croix on an extended swim platform like ours because I was worried about structural strength as well as performance (it's a fair amount of weight slung way out over the back of a not so big boat). I did like the design and how it could easily be removed and stowed. A drawback of the Caddy is you have some lines back to the transom to navigate when the dinghy is mounted, although you only need one of the two while at rest.

The Dinghy Caddy places most of the weight vertically to the surface of the platform, and a small amount to the transom. When the dinghy is launched it swings straight down into the water at anchor, and since it is installed with Weaver quick connects, it can also be easily be removed leaving just two small plates on the platform.

The reality is I don't really like any of the options as much as a clean, uncluttered swim platform, but it sure beats towing!

Here is a picture from the website of the mount positioned out of the way while moored, docked, or at anchor.



Lots of pictures and a video on their website: www.dinghycaddy.com

One more thing, the owner, Keith, is a great guy and did an awesome install job for me.

 

[searay495]

Thanks for that input. My requirements are very similar to yours. I went to the website and I have to admit I'm not much of a fan of all the lines, etc. I'm so used to the simpl Weaver Davit pad system I used to use. That being said, is anyone out there using the Weaver Davit pad system on a 2003 340 Sundancer, or any other model or size where the swim platform is high from the water? If so what is your experience or suggestions.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[Robski97]

MArk,
I just installed weavers with a standard hurley. I had to down size my dink as my original was way to heavy. The new dink is 160lbs. My wife and I can pull that up with minor difficulty ...Havent done it enough to get it down yet but it works. The weight of the dink matters huge with the height of our platforms.

Rob

 

[Rocket]

Rob, Hurley sells a block and tackle. I added an eye hook in the lazzarette and use it to pull up the dink. Works well.

 

[Steve Franklin]

BVasily, we have a 03 420 , and we used the "Doms davits". If you use the search in the forum and if your a do it yourselfer, I think you will be pleased with the price and the davits. Check it out, Steve

 

[bajturner]

MArk,
I just installed weavers with a standard hurley. I had to down size my dink as my original was way to heavy. The new dink is 160lbs. My wife and I can pull that up with minor difficulty ...Havent done it enough to get it down yet but it works. The weight of the dink matters huge with the height of our platforms.

Rob

We use a block and tackle with our caddy...works like a charm. I think the one we use is called a 4:1...two pulleys on each end. Post #5 of this thread shows a really good picture of it.

 

[Jerroz]

Jon
I have a 2006 40 DA, and bought a Nautley DinghyRamp HD to install on it. As you know it has an integral swim platform.
My concern is being able to thru-bolt the fasteners onto the swim platform. I don't think Ill have access to the underside of the platform at the edge where the bolts will go.
Did you have that issue on your 420 or 48?

Any help from anyone would be appreciated.

 

[CougarCruiser]

Jon
I have a 2006 40 DA, and bought a Nautley DinghyRamp HD to install on it. As you know it has an integral swim platform.
My concern is being able to thru-bolt the fasteners onto the swim platform. I don't think Ill have access to the underside of the platform at the edge where the bolts will go.
Did you have that issue on your 420 or 48?

Any help from anyone would be appreciated.

You need to see if you can climb back to the opening for the platform from the engine compartment. You may or may not have access depending on your boat. Our Sedan bridge does, but we have a completely different style of boat.

If you aren't using a heavy weight dinghy, folks have had success using the 'toggler' style of bolt.