I would fip our air floor up onto the back and secure with tie downs for short runs last year but it became super annoying so this year I built davits. The platform will support yours just fine, the problem is securing it so it doesn't move around a ton. With a motor attached your looking at 150-200lbs minimum and without a davit system it will bounce around quite a bit in any kind of chop.

 

Sooner or later everyone ends up with davits. Can you do it, yes. Will it be a pain, yes. Access to your rear cleats and entering / exiting your transom door will likely be blocked too. If you have a transom locker, that may be inaccessible.

 

FWIW I just finished our first long weekend with a dinghy. I ran my 10' Zodiac in the swim platform of our 340 without any problems. Three lines is all you need to flip the dinghy up. Two lines is all you need if you want to keep it horizontal on the platform and aren't running on-plane.

Immediately after returning from the long weekend I ordered a "dinghy sling". Running the dinghy on the platform is a bit of a pain if you 1.) hook/unhook shore power and water from the rear and 2.) if you want to use the swim platform when anchored without a bunch of hassle.

The other alternative I looked at was the "snap davit" offered by a couple companies, Weaver being the most popular as far as I could tell. I ultimately decided against this due to the fact that they really aren't designed to support the dinghy in anything other than the vertical position. I wanted something where, when not on plane, I can hang the dinghy and motor straight off the back of the swim platform. Pulling the motor is a bit of a pain. If you want full use of your platform (sans a couple lines you have to negotiate) and you don't want to pull/support the motor every time you load up - the sling seems to be a best bet.

Of course if I had real money I'd have a hydraulic, extended platform and live the high life.

 

Being we just purchased our dinghy and motor I have looked at allot of support systems and really like the sling, which is only $275.00 on EBay. It is a simple yet effective way I think to carry the dinghy on the swim platform.

 

an inflatable dinghy with a trolling motor may be adequate for short runs of 100 yds. or less.....I have given some thought about using this set up.....based on what I have read with the right pump this type dinghy can be inflated and deflated in just a few minutes.....and storage when not in use is easier and takes up much less space.....

cliff

 

Yeah....I had thoughts of inflating/deflating each weekend as well. Unless you get a really, really small one these "real" inflatables are not particularly easy to manage. They are big, bulky and a pain in the arse to move around deflated. For inflate/deflate duty I'd recommend a Sevylor from the local sporting goods store, skip the motor. A quality PVC/Hypolon dinghy will likely prove less than enjoyable for this type of duty. Unless it's a once or twice a year use case?

 

I pull my Achilles 9 6 on to the platform and tie it. I could never settle on davits. Only 11 seasons now. I take off the motor though

 

Sounds like me. Pull my Achilles 9 6 up directly on the front deck though. Pull the outboard and store in the transom locker out of the salt spray.

 

I use the Nautley system on the swim platform for my 340DA. It's removable, so when I'm not bringing the inflatable, the only thing left on the platform are the slide in mounts and a couple fold down D Rings. The angled tilt davits slide out and go into the trasom locker. It's easy to use, and since the dink is only on the platform for transit to/from where we are going, it hasn't been a problem. I had weaver davits before, but I hated dealing with taking the motor on and off. When I pull the boat up I align the engine on the side of our transom door, so there's room to walk on and off the boat from a finger pier on the dock even with the inflatable on the davits. I should take more detailed photos, maybe next time I'm out there I will. For now, here are a couple that weren't really intended to show the davits, but you can see how the 9'6" Highfields aluminum RIB inflatable sits back there, with a 6hp Merc 4 stroke, looking back from the cockpit and from the side at the dock.

Hope it helps! - Ron

 

 

I just ordered a Hurley H3O davit system. One of the guys in my marina has one. I added the 18" extension that is now available. If all goes well I should have it installed before next weekend. I am so tired of pulling my 9.9 Mercury 4 stroke and trying to load my hard bottom Mercury dinghy onto the swim platform. Im hoping this little crank up and swivel idea works well. Anyone used these before with an express style boat?

 

Can you please post pics of this when it is completely installed with the dinghy on? I have the regular Hurley davit and have to walk across the dinghy everytime we want to get into the trunk. Decided in the off-season going to have this removed and the extension installed and would love to see some good shots of it installed. I did a google search and found one boat that had the davit extenders installed, but they didn't have the dinghy tied down, etc and just curious how that all would work.

Thanks

 

I will do it! ie. Photos of the project. I am expecting my shipment by wednesday. I am going to try to make it this Saturday's project. I figure it will take me about an hour so in reality 3 hours...

The thing I really like about Hurley is that his cell phone is on the website. I called Saturday and Todd answered from his bilge. Great customer service. This guy gets it!

 

New Hurley Davit H3 with extension. Todd Hurley is a genius! This thing is ridiculous how easy it is to use. I have been struggling with a solution to this for a long time. My dinghy is just too heavy for rock up davits. A few critiques.... when their web site says it can be installed while your boat is in the water...... not exactly. If you are only installing the H3 davit then yes you can install it on the water. The extensions make it a bit more difficult. The back 3 mounting bolts are a long way back. A floating swim mat and really cold black river water completed the install.

I added large fender washers to the underside of the bolts. The extensions do not have a backing plate like other systems. I would think that this would be an automatic considering the weight and stresses on the swim platform.

All in all I can not say enough good about the system with the extensions. Great quality and well thought out. You can tell this was designed by a boater. As I had hoped once installed I was able to load my 300 pound beef cake dinghy onto my swim platform all by myself.

Today I will be finishing the project by adding the tie down system I bought from them. It would have been finished yesterday except for the three guys on the dock continuously telling me it was beer thirty. I eventually caved to the pressure. I will add a few better photos after I get the tie down
completed.

 

Phasma what size dinghy is that

 

9'6" hard bottom Mercury dinghy with 9.9hp 4 stroke outboard

 

2006 38da - Yamaha 6hp 2 stroke fits in the port side transom locker. Could have gone bigger hp, but my wife and daughter can operate the dingy without a licence with this hp.

 

Interesting. You have 2 transom lockers? They can't be larger than the single one on my 320, can they? Hmm... I may have to do some measuring on my locker!

 

Yes I have two transom lockers - the cockpit entry door is in the centre of the boat and the transom lockers on each side.

 

I'm gonna need a bigger boat...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

As a last resort we have these downunder!!

https://www.fishingtackleshop.com.au/products/free-wheeling-hand-operated-outboard.html

 

I didn't want to have any "toe stubbers" left on my swim deck when not having the dinghy stored there, so I modified another CSR member's design (Dom - who made his own "Dom's Davits"). Dom has since passed away, but his davit ideas live on! Thanks Dom!!

The idea is to have an easily loadable platform where you don't have to remove that heavy outboard motor to store the dinghy. Check out my photos...

I used a similar idea as a trailer hitch receiver mounted under the swim deck. When the pins (this is an old photo during the construction phase before drilling the lock pin holes) are removed both arms can be removed and stored onboard. Nothing is visible unless viewed from very low on the water behind the boat.

Here's some individual pieces cut, placed, but not yet welded...

Here, you will see the two support arms locked in place with the locking pins.

A view of the dinghy on the supports as usual. It's stored like this all winter (just coming out of storage in the spring)

With this system, it's easy to deploy (two ratchet straps) by tipping it and having it slide into the water. It's also easy to pull back onboard, although the key to this is a pulley (block and tackle) system which I tie to the beverage railing and hook to the dingy. It can be pulled back on without assistance relatively easily. I cut all the tubular aluminum and had a friend weld the pieces together. Found a playground manufacturer in our area that had the plastic laminated planks that I used for the supports. After 5yrs or so, I really like the davits and usually just leave it on the boat - sure saves the dingy from filling with rain water, not to mention keeps the bottom (aluminum hull) nice and clean.

It's a possible option for you to design/build something similar if you like the idea.

 

I didn't want to have any "toe stubbers" left on my swim deck when not having the dinghy stored there, so I modified another CSR member's design (Dom - who made his own "Dom's Davits"). Dom has since passed away, but his davit ideas live on! Thanks Dom!!

The idea is to have an easily loadable platform where you don't have to remove that heavy outboard motor to store the dinghy. Check out my photos...

I used a similar idea as a trailer hitch receiver mounted under the swim deck. When the pins (this is an old photo during the construction phase before drilling the lock pin holes) are removed both arms can be removed and stored onboard. Nothing is visible unless viewed from very low on the water behind the boat.

Here's some individual pieces cut, placed, but not yet welded...

Here, you will see the two support arms locked in place with the locking pins.

A view of the dinghy on the supports as usual. It's stored like this all winter (just coming out of storage in the spring)

With this system, it's easy to deploy (two ratchet straps) by tipping it and having it slide into the water. It's also easy to pull back onboard, although the key to this is a pulley (block and tackle) system which I tie to the beverage railing and hook to the dingy. It can be pulled back on without assistance relatively easily. I cut all the tubular aluminum and had a friend weld the pieces together. Found a playground manufacturer in our area that had the plastic laminated planks that I used for the supports. After 5yrs or so, I really like the davits and usually just leave it on the boat - sure saves the dingy from filling with rain water, not to mention keeps the bottom (aluminum hull) nice and clean.

It's a possible option for you to design/build something similar if you like the idea.

This is damn near exactly what I drew up last year but I had to build a temporary top Mount out of time constraints. I had one bolt going through the end of the swim platform into the brackets underneath though to lock everything together. Smart minds think a like...and so do we.

 

I have the Nautley Dinghy Ramps. I was lucky. They came with my boat. I just used them with my 10'6" Newport (132 lb's) and 9.9 4 stroke Mercury (88lb's), and full 3 gallon gas tank (24lb's).
I was able to pull it up (motor end first) by myself with some effort (I'm 63 years old, 5"11, 180 lbs), but it was much easier the next time I did it with a friend.
So, in that regard they are great.
It was fine on plane for an 8 or 10 mile trip each way to a spot for a day in the hook, but I was nervous about the way it all bounced around in a little chop with some wakes we encountered. I don't think I'd want to leave the motor on for a trip longer than that, or if I were going through an inlet to the ocean. I'd be afraid that while the dinghy would stay on the swim platform because it was securely tied, the 9.9 would probably destroy the inflatable's transom and possible break off from all the bouncing.
It bounces so violently back there that I tied a line to the little motor for the ride back so I'd be able to retrieve it if the worst happened.
So as far as cruising around with the dinghy upright and the motor attached, I give the dinghy ramps less than rave reviews.
Again, they came with my boat, didn't cost me anything beyond the overall price of the boat, so they were a real score for me. But I don't think they are practical enough to justify spending a lot of money on them.
While the 9.9 is a nice motor, I find it too heavy to take on and off of the dinghy all the time. As a result, I'm going to keep my eyes open for a smaller and much lighter dinghy for longer trips that is coupled with a smaller much lighter motor that I can remove and stow away easily when underway.
I'm only looking to get from a mooring to a dinghy dock once in a while and don't need to break any speed records doing it.
If I get the lighter dinghy, I'll use it with the Dinghy Ramps because I have them and they do make launching and retrieval pretty easy, but will still remove the motor for longer trips.
The heavier Newport and 9.9 will be reserved for local stuff and puttering up and down canals near me.

 

Thinking about the dingy addition also but only for the reason of getting my gog to shore so she can do her business, anyone else have that issue? What does everyone do about a dog on board and them doing their business? I was thinking of a inflatable in the water and lowering the dog down with a crab pot puller to the boat and then rowing her to shore. My boat is a 77 240SDA so I would inflate the boat anytime I need it or lash it to the front for each trip. Might add that the dog weighs around 75 lbs.(really need to walk her more)

 

What do you do with the motor?

I have a motor bag- and I'm able to set it under the cockpit table. Not the best approach but I can deal with it. It's a 6 HP, so not real small.

 

Here's a better shot of the snap davits. You can see the pads on the dinghy and the HORRIBLE gluing job.

 

Attached are 2 pictures of my Boston Whaler ding with a 25 hp outboard that swivels. It works well with a hydraulic lift attached to the swim platform but blocks the swim ladder. I just bought the boat a few months ago and it is used in San Francisco bay which is rough and cold.

I can imagine accessing the bow in rough weather and falling into the ocean. There is no easy access to the bow if one needs to drop the bumpers over the sides and not much area to hold on to any railings when climbing out from the enclosed cockpit.

How would one get back onto the boat with the swim platform ladder blocked? Boarding may be tricky in cold water and rough seas.

 

I just pull mine up and lean it against the transom. I loop one of the roops from the dinghy through the ski tow eye and use a light rope from cleat to cleat looping it through the d ring on the dingy. I have a small 3.5 hp outboard that weighs a whopping 28 lbs, so it's easy to remove and store. My dinghy can take a 5 hp, but the weight on those things are heavy! I just want to pickup crab traps, troll and head to shore and back. The heavier motors are probably more fun, but the little Tohatsu is a great little motor. I've been running this since 2008 and love it. Same dingy too. It's a little 7.5 3 person Maxxon.

 

I struggled with adding Davits to my boat for over a year...in the end I didn’t like anything and decided to drag it up on the swim platform...the dinghy is a Zodiac 310 aero...it’s a soft bottom so it won’t mark anything.... the motor in the pic is a 4hp....I bought a 9.9hp after this pic was taken. I just tie the bow to a cleat and tie the outboard to another cleat.... that’s it. I don’t go out in rough seas.... I have a pretty high swim platform.... it doesn’t move at all....quick to pull it up and quick to just push it off....I can’t walk back there so just hop off the starboard stern...not great but rarely need to be walking around back there... this is best pic I have

View attachment 95010

Digging this post up....because like an idiot last year I sold the set of Nautley Dinghy Ramp HDs that came with our boat....and then bought a dinghy yesterday.

@Blueone still doing OK without davits? Guess I'll be giving it a go as Nautley is on backorder for a few weeks...

 

Here explains my current situation http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/h20-hurley-well-it’s-official-i-caved.103470/
I am in a struggle now to finish the project as I am busy at work and every weekend we have plans.... so the dinghy has been staying at the dock
Pulling the dinghy up on the platform works but if getting off the starboard side is very inconvenient crawling over the dinghy... and don’t slide down the transom on your ass.... I ripped a hole in my new expensive shorts that my wife lost her mind and patched.... we had visitors on the boat this weekend and they asked why I had a patch on my ass

 

Here explains my current situation http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/h20-hurley-well-it’s-official-i-caved.103470/
I am in a struggle now to finish the project as I am busy at work and every weekend we have plans.... so the dinghy has been staying at the dock
Pulling the dinghy up on the platform works but if getting off the starboard side is very inconvenient crawling over the dinghy

And I remember seeing that thread too!