Need Advice on max weight for Tender

[ras737]

I own a 2008 44 Sundancer with the Cummins QSC 8.3 500HO. I have the optional hydraulic swim platform and I am in the market for a new console dinghy. I believe Sea Ray has a max weight of 800lbs for the platform. My major concern is not only what the platform can safely hold from a structural standpoint but how it will affect the running attitude of the boat. As many of you know the Sundancers have a tendency to run bow high. I am six feet tall and still need to sit on a cushion or the bolster to comfortably see over the bow when cruising. I am headed to the Newport boat show tomorrow and would like to know what would be the max weight I should consider when looking at new tenders. Keep in mind that the hydraulic platform sits behind the integral platform, this increases the moment arm or cantilever effect. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Rick

 

[FootballFan]

Not sure if this helps, but understand the question and need for some quick input.

When I had a SR47DB I carried a zodiac YL 340 with a 40HP outboard.

Would have to do some research on weight of that unit, but it was all the lift wanted to handle. If it was not centered the lift would struggle to pick up the heavy end. No way I could have gone any larger on that boat.

Weight of dinghy + Engine + gas (5 gallons is 30lbs) and all the associated stuff that winds up on the dinghy (anchor, etc.).

Just an opinion, there are two questions you are asking: 1) the ability for the platform to lift the dinghy out of the water with ease 2) the impact of weight on the running angle of the boat cruising.

For #1, I would probably figure out who built the lift and call the lift manufacturer. Might be General Hydraulic - but could be someone else. The manufacturer would be able to discuss what they configured for that model of SR and talk about weight limits on lifting in and out of the water and carrying.

For #2, best input would come from other 44 Dancer owners who have dinghy's on the back.

I am not sure that the set back from the integral hull would impact lifting out of the water, tend to think it wouldn't. The set back would definitely impact the amount of bow rise - that's where other 44 owners could weigh in.

Hope that helps some,

 

[swaterhouse]

In the end if you want a center console with moulded in seats you will be in the the 700lb range with motor, gas and some gear. There are differences between the models of the same basic length, different tube sizes, different beams, different layouts and hull materials, but they all weight +/-80lbs of each other.

If you want the lightest weight, 100-200lbs lighter than above, you can get one that has a "side console" and a "storage seat", there are several brands and models like this.

Also just a word of caution, the tender market is stupidly hot and supply is super low like all boat categories. I ordered my tender in early March with an expected delivery in June, I now expect it in October, but I haven't confirmed it actually made the most recent shipment estimate. The engine was also ordered in March the dealer finally got it in early August.

 

[JC3]

If you put too much weight on the hydraulic swim platform you have to start worrying about the transom stability. Frank has talked a lot about this in the past. There are several old threads with some good information about this. Good luck, JC

 

[Stee6043]

I've got a 500lbs center console running off the back of my "grossly underpowered gas 400" and have experienced absolutely no problems in how she runs. Getting on plane, attitude, nada. I may run just a touch more tab than I used to but it's not noticeable. It gets out of the water the same, runs the same, couldn't be more pleased.

I have no clue on your platform capacity but if that diesel 440 can't run a center console dinghy on the back without impacting your performance, you've got other (likely for more expensive) issues you should deal with