Which Davit System

W

wetpaint

Active Member
Nov 2, 2007
2,370
Cape Cod/Caribbean
Boat Info
41 Lipari Catamaran
Engines
2 x Volvo 30hp
I have a 36 sedan bridge and want to install a davit system this winter. I do not want a hydraulic lift or a system that has a lot of mounting hardware that is waiting to be kicked with my bare foot. On my 41 I had a weaver tilt up with the stand off arm that was okay. I am hoping to get something that could be removable and keep the tender (hard bottom) horizontal.....Any thoughts
 
I think a set of those St. Croix jobs would look real sexy on the back.
 
I was told today that the St Croix removable davit 300 system would not work on the sedan 36....any thoughts....
 
I think your options are limited. There has been some discussions on the Sea Lift systems that are hydraulic (do a search) and the hardware can be removed but I'm not sure any hydraulic system would fit or if the 36 DB transom was designed to handle it. You may want to look at the Hurley davit system ( http://www.hurleymarine.com/ ) but you'll need to see if your platform is too high off the water for that to be feasable... Miss Michigan must be a brute ;-) . And then you are also back to the flip up Weaver type of system... There is also a guy on this site (osd9 - Dominic) that got the removable Weaver brackets and built a sliding type of set up that is removable. He then went out in the Delaware Bay this summer and beat the crap out of it and it didn't fall off. I'll let him explain that.

I'll confess... I don't think the St. Croix systems look good on a Sea Ray and I was being sarcastic.... In fact... they are butt ugly.
 
I was in the manly part of the Delaware when I beat the crap out of my davits....

Wetpaint....first off...Hi...what's your name.... where do you boat....it makes things easier if you fill out a signature...thanks...

Anyway, if you want to read about my davits, you can go here...

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3279

What I like about my adaptation of dinghy davits, is that I have retained the ability to use the Weaver lift up design if the need should arise...which quite honestly, after a full season and some serious seas hasn't happened yet.

welcome aboard
 
I am not sure the difference in the 36' swim plat and my 34' dancer, but I installed the Hurley davits last year so I could take a dink with me to the Bahamas and it was great. I admit that it took more effort than his video showed, or she is very strong, but it keeps it upright and is fairly easy to get the dink on and off (I am 6'0" and 235lbs but I drink a lot so I am not in great shape). I do not like the verticly mounted dinks as they are a pain and block the view. When I removed the Hurley system there were just 2 small chunks of metal to stub your toe, but they are small enough to avoid easily.

briman
 
Two other considerations to keep in mind. If your stern light is mounted on your transom it will most likely be blocked by the dink. Also, if your vessel is documented, so might your vessels name and port of call be blocked. Both situations are easily remedied, but nontheless, must be considered. And remember, running lights are not just for night time cruising, they are for whenever visibility is restricted....like fog.
 
We installed the Hurley davit system on our boat this summer and love it. It's simple to launch and retrieve the dink, light weight, easily stowed when disassembled. There are other threads on this system at CSR but check out the Hurley site for photos. Call them too with any specific questions on your boat or the installation. 'Glad to offer ideas on a personal basis if that helps..
Warren
 
I don't want to hijack the tread........but

Warren, I am considering the Hurley Davits for my 400 Sundancer. Does the Hurley system fit on the regular swim platform, or did you need to buy the extension mounting brackets. Also how large and heavy is your dink / motor combo. And is it easy to launch and retrieve?
 
Hi Steve. The Hurley davit fittings fit easily on the swim platform without entensions. We leave the dinghy there permanently with a cover over it. We have a very light double floored aluminum RIB which we bought specifically for this application (65lb) and the 8 hp Merc engine weighs almost the same. SR says that our platform is rated for 500 lb (and I know that that is a conservative rating) so fully loaded with a small tank, life jackets, safety gear we are well under 200lb.

We use a light block and tackle attached to the transom rail to raise the dinghy, but a 40 yr old would probably not find this necessary. Launching is easy, just slide her in.. There is lots of clearance above the water but it is always covered and the drain is always out until just before launch. We use tensioning straps attached to folding padeyes on the platform (2) port and stbd. and the dinghy is rock solid. Glad to send you photos or more detailed information if you contact me off CSR. E-mail address is: wldavis@cogeco.ca
Good luck,
Warren
 
There is another system that you may wish to consider. It was developed by a boating "neighbour" about three years ago and my boat carried the prototype. Since then it has been refined several times. Go to www.seaweedmarine.com and check out the Tend'r Rollers. The quality of workmanship is excellent with mirror finish stainless. I had the manual crank version and it was very easy to stow my 10' 8" RIB (with 18 hp Nissan, steering station and gear,..about 375 lbs.) in half a minute. Now Rudy has a 12 volt motor with remote. Also there are optional quick detachable pads that the system can be installed or removed in about 10 seconds per davit arm, and you are left with six very small stainless receptacles on your platform.

I would have kept the system but the buyer of my boat wanted them. I'm looking now for a 460DA or 480DB. A couple of candidates have the small standard platform. This system could be easily fitted he tells me and still have some room to squeeze by the transom. The only modification necessary would be two adjustable struts, one under each roller attachment area. Cost of the motorized system (two load levels) is around $5,000- 6,000 plus about $500 for the two struts. It's a D.I.Y. project for someone of average ability like myself.

Sorry if it sounds like an ad for Seaweed, but I had the protype system for three seasons and I only removed the system on the really big trips (365 Four Winns) of five hundred miles or more because of the extra dinghy weight and my 502 (thirsty) gas engines. It worked flawlessly for me. If anyone is up this way in January he has a booth at the Toronto International Boat Show.

James
 
We Are Looking For A Davit System For Our 2004-320 Sundancer. We Have A 10' Ab Hard Bottom. Considering The Davit System And The Dingy Ramp By ( I Believe It Is Naugtly). Any Sugesstions? How Hard Is It To Pull Up On The Swim Platform Itself Once It Is In The Cradle?
 
I know this is starting to sound like a broken record but... You better make sure the transom and platform can hold that weight in rough conditions. Call Sea Ray and see what they have to say about your particular boat as you don't want to void your hull warrenty by plopping 500 pounds off the back end of the boat.
 
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