The H3O is not suitable for a nonrigid bottom dink. There is no bottom support. But as for a rigid bottom it's perfect. I have a Merc 320 with a 15hp and also use it with the H3O and the hand crank, super easy to load. A bit tricky removing the crank after it's loaded but still easy. I wouldn't plan on removing it when not in use, just rotate and flip forward.

 

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This is an air floor dinghy with an inflatable keel.

It will actually plane - of course not when being pushed with the 2.5 HP Suzuki

Here's the drawing (attached)

Am I a candidate for the H30 for the time being with THIS dink?

BEST !

RWS

 

Hello All

I've read all the posts going back many years, and a lot has changed since the early days of CSR.

45' Sundancer

Would like the ability to have transom access at a marina when traveling with the dink.

Read about numerous bottom tube longevity issues when hauling vertical with the weight of the motor and motor swivel bracket attached

At age 65 now, have some Aorta issues, looking forward, the idea of the Hurley H30 davit with the swivel and hand crank winch seems ideal.

I have 14" from the swim platform to the water - don't see the H20 being a good fit for today, and it doesn't allow for any future expansion.

Currently running a 10' 2" Achilles air floor dink with a 2.5 HP Suzuki or an 8 HP 2 stroke Yamaha

That said, I'd like the option of perhaps moving into a heavier, more capable inflatable in the future, something with a rigid bottom, and would like the davit to be capable of handling that kind of weight.

(If I ever went heavy, I'd reinforce the transom first)

I hate the toe stubbers, but plastic insert/covers are available and at this point it's all a compromise, as is all boating.

Really leaning toward the Hurley H30 with the hand winch

I know it's been talked to death, but I do appreciate y'alls input on this.

BEST !

RWS

Screw the hand winch. Get the electric, the hand version will send you to the grave in Florida heat. Remember you are multitasking when using a Hurley. You are holding weight, spinning and lowering all in span of a minute. The hand winch makes that a pain in the ass. I switched to the electric and will never go back. As a one man show it is the best solution.

 

While the electric would be nice for a wave runner like you have. But it's big time over kill for what I have. JMO.

 

This might help as well:
http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/new-swim-platform.103618/

 

I should add that the 14" waterline to swim platform distance likely takes the horizontal Hurley H20 out of the equation.

CSR members documented issues with vertical setups take me away from the consideration of the Weaver style vertical setup

 

I would say that is about the max distance. Mine is about that and I need to lift the bow up on the H3O and I tie off the bow line and then put the crank in and crank up and swivel in place.

I also made up a fixed cable with clasp for the bow eye. So once that is clipped on I remove the crank. The push back and strap on the the other two tie downs. I also use the inside lifting rings and strap back to the transom. I get a lot of water roll back when at slow speeds ~10 knots.

 

I watched a boat anchored down from us in the Exumas try to operate their H3O in sea conditions and they really struggled ending up not loading the RIB and towing it. It always amazes me the videos of all the davit arrangements showing operation in glass smooth water. My advice being through about every sea condition with dinghies is to prioritize the conditions you intend to use the davit system then select your system.

 

Can confirm...it's nearly impossible to load in anything more than 1-2' rollers. And at 2' rollers it's a two man job to keep the dink from swinging into the abyss...

I'm not sure this is much different than most davits though? Once it gets rough enough you're pretty well hosed with anything other than a hydraulic platform I figure...

 

As another suggestion is to consider how fast you can cut the dinghy loose with the intent of using it as a safety device or get it off the boat in an emergency.

 

 

View attachment 140691

I see holes in my RIB trying to get it cut loose....

 

This dink was purchased new 3 years ago for my 10 meter, and was easily tied to the transom for overnights to nearby spots along the gulf coast.

The beauty of the Achilles Sport air floor/keel model is the ability to plane with a lightweight dink that can be easily stored when not in use.

Plus I did not have to add any toe stubbers to the swim platform.

Moving up to the 450 DA and reducing my working hours, with more time off opens up a larger cruising area............... perhaps something like THE FLORIDA LOOP, a side trip to the Bahamas with aspirations for perhaps the GREAT LOOP sometime in the future - AGLCA# 30164 - This is a wonderful organization.

In this case we need the dink for occasional use, but boarding access is mission critical.

With the 1995-1998 450DA the only real access is via the transom/swim platform or the transom step (which was eliminated on the 1999+ 460 models that came after the 450)

At this hour, I don't think I'm ready for the additional storage issues that would be created with a hard bottom dink, however that may change after doing the Florida Loop.

I'll take some photos and measurements tonight and send them off to Hurley for an opinion.

Perhaps I need to reconsider the Weaver option of a vertical mount and keep the motor OFF the dink during transport, Choosing this route exclusively with the Suzuki 2.5 HP @ 29 lbs and stowing it under the aft bench seat.

Otherwise, I have legitimate concerns for the Hurley H20 model with the 14" transom to water height, as I'm not getting any younger and my focus is to continue as an active boater until I take my last breath.

I am a strong, fit, 65-year old man, however the aortic aneurism is a concern for any strenuous lifting.

The sharing of your wealth of knowledge is most appreciated.

BEST !

RWS

 

It's hard to beat the amount of room you have on the platform with the H30. Especially if you get the extension

For what it's worth the amount of work it takes to get a dink up on the H30 is about the same as using weaver snap davits and having to remove/install a small outboard every time. Anything over 80 degrees outside and a northerner will sweat equally doing either job...

 

I have a 310 soft bottom with a 10hp 4 stroke…..well did. It tied down just fine on H20… more then rigid enough…. I think the H30 would be fine

 

I have a 310 soft bottom with a 10hp 4 stroke…..well did. It tied down just fine on H20… more then rigid enough…. I think the H30 would be fine ...

Strange the H3O lit. states it was designed for RIB hulls, it doesn't say "only", so this is interesting. You kept the engine on it full time? How long did you have it like that?

My reasoning for not wanting to use the H3O with soft bottoms is the way most are designed is a center tube with a floor over top of that. Leaving empty space between the center tube and floor, exactly where the uprights would be supporting the dink.

 

I owned an H2O with my smaller (but still hard bottom) dinghy. That weighed about 275 pounds and it took my wife and I everything we had to get it loaded up. Since then we have a new AB RIB that weighs probably 550 pounds. I knew there was no way that the H2O would work for that, so I installed a new larger swim platform with additional gussets to handle the extra load. I also opted for the H3O+ and Extension, with the power winch. I can now load the dinghy by myself with no problem. Aside from the tie down challenges, the H3O+ w/Extension is a very solid platform that I recommend highly.

 

Yea I don’t think a soft bottom dink will work at all on the Hurley. I think you should look at a Weaver set up with a winch in the locker or a block pulley set up for pulling up.

 

Yikes????….. I have real word experience…. Why would you go there….. let’s see the data

 

I contacted Hurley with the simplest of questions.

They responded and asked for all the dimensions.

Will provide that this AM and report back here

Hope the H30 is a possibility for the current need, as I could grow into it with a RIB down the road

BEST !

RWS

 

Exactly what I would have done....call Hurley. You can even speak with Todd Hurley himself.

 

working out the details now.

need to measure the swim platform handle as a possible point of interference

Will report back to share details

BEST !

RWS

 

OK

Lots of emails with Hurley

yes, the H3 can handle a hard airfloor, inflatable keel dink Confirmed and RECONFIRMED

The only issue is the raised handle for the swim platform ladder, however we worked around that.

I chose to go with the hand crank option over the electric, reliability vs. overkill

Looking forward to the installation and less hassle as compared to the current hauling and tying situation

Quick and easy retrieval, and I can leave the motor on for transport

I actually PREFER the 2.5 Suzuki over the 8Hp 2 stroke Yamaha.

While the Yamaha is more fun, the Suzuki has an integral tank and there's no fuel mixing.

At 29 lbs its a joy to set on the dink and remove

So, looks like I'm all set.

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR INPUT !

BEST !

RWS

 

OK

Lots of emails with Hurley

yes, the H3 can handle a hard airfloor, inflatable keel dink Confirmed and RECONFIRMED ...

Cool, glad it will work for you. I never would have thought that (still don't) but you will be very happy with it. I love mine.

 

at 65 with an aortic anuersm, I need not get myself into a strain, pulling a dink up on a Hurley H20 or pulling on the lines to stand it up like on a Weaver

Thats one of the reasons for the 2.5 HP Suzuki

Plus, the H30 will allow me to grow into a hard bottom down the road, should I go in that direction.

BEST !

RWS

 

at 65 with an aortic anuersm, I need not get myself into a strain, pulling a dink up on a Hurley H20 or pulling on the lines to stand it up like on a Weaver

Thats one of the reasons for the 2.5 HP Suzuki

Plus, the H30 will allow me to grow into a hard bottom down the road, should I go in that direction.

BEST !

RWS

And yet you still went with a hand crank? Sometimes I wonder, @Maybe A Dancer ...

After three retrievals you're going to wish you had the electric winch (whether or not you admit it ). It's money well spent. If it's not too late...call and change your order!!

 

So with my pictures of where the transom is relative to the Davit mounts- do you feel I’m supported well?

 

Hard to tell from the pics, but you'll know pretty quick. Mine had a pretty good sag to it.