davits..submit opinons :)

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:22 am

puttin' in new davits, lookin' to make it easier to load and unload my the dinghy. We use it alot, as we weekend on rivers and small towns every chance we get in the summer, we'll even day trip for lunch, and almost anchor every time. The dink is also used for the pups that go with us every where as Paul and Jamie know. So here's a couple that I like.

http://www.trickdavit.com/

http://www.martekdavits.com/index.php?m ... ducts_id=3

if you have thoughts on them please give your pro's and con's

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:11 am

On my Sundeck cruiser I went with Weaver davits and my own block and takle system to raise the dinghy on its edge.
310 Aluminium hull RIB with 15 HP Yamaha 2 stroke
You can just see the block and tackle lines which come to either side of the ladder from deck to platform. A pulley is attached with a rail clamp to the underside of the rail at the top.
Felt no need to go the fancy route you suggest as it is behind the Aft cabin.... now on my Trojan F32 I liked the horizontal carry.

Horizontal carry on Trojan because I used 20 HP 4 stroke.

P-Dogg · Post by **P-Dogg** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:50 am

I just completed a great deal of research on the matter. I came to the conclusion that Weaver davits (with an additional winch or block and tackle for lifting) would suit my Tricabin the best because:

1). Mounting the dinghy on edge reduces your overall length, which is often a plus.

2). On-edge mounting keeps the dinghy from acting as a catch-basin for water.

3). With the Weaver-Leaver, you can keep your outboard motor attached while your dinghy is stowed.

4). They aren't terribly expensive.

5). They are lightweight.

6). If cost were no object, Seawise davits would be my next choice.

7). On a more subjective note, and I say this as a mechanical engineer who drools over cranes and uses a radio-control crane at the office (OK -- in the lab next to my office), I think the systems like Martek are an eyesore, whether the dinghy is attached, or not. The Weaver system is comparatively discreet. If you get the removable mounting brackets for the swim platform attachment brackets, you can quickly and easily remove the (bulk of the ) swim platform hardware and be left with but two low-profile plates.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:21 am

I would go with martek or a simaler type . I dont see the trickdavit being as easy use on your boat as they show and with the dink so low to the water that could be a issue in bad seas .

You can't use the Weaver set up like on readys first photo with a 4 stroke engine unless you remove the engine . Even with a 2 stroke I don't like puting all that force on the lower tube . Now if you have no issue with removing the outboard then this would work .

2 boats on my peir installed the Martek type this year . nice set up and they look great . I will find out what brand it was .

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:00 am

One more thought on the weaver system . It blocks the name on the back of the boat . So unless you put the name on the bottom of the dingy you may not be legal if you have documented Vessel ( name must be displayed ) and on a safety note a over taking vessel can not ID you to hail you on the Vhf .

And its a real shame to block a good looking name . Thats what makes a boat yours not just a number

P-Dogg · Post by **P-Dogg** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:10 am

One of the reasons that I like the Weaver system is because there are various options for dinghy attachment. You are not compelled to glue mounting points to your tubes, something I am reticent to do. You can attach mounts (assuming RIB) to the hull and transom, a process I consider (semi) reversible.

This product lets your motor stay vertical as you raise the dinghy:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=131261

A bracket mounted to the swim platform shares the weight of the motor and helps stabilize the dinghy.

These products keep the weight off of the tubes:

http://www.weaverindustries.com/index.c ... ystem.html

and http://www.weaverindustries.com/index.c ... m-arc.html

The photo in the ad does a poor job of showing how the arc attaches to the transom of the dinghy, which it does, such that the weight is borne by the transom and not the tubes.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:19 am

So much for the cheaper cost

, And you will have a area that holds water between the tube and the hull with no way to drain.

Its not a bad way to carry a dink but it has its draw backs too .

I carry mine on the bow , but thats not a option for you or Tony .

P-Dogg · Post by **P-Dogg** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:31 am

Prowlerfish is (partly) correct. If documented, you cannot block the hailing port (putting the vessel name on the dink bottom doesn't count -- the name on the vessel is still blocked). However, if you are not a commercial vessel, you can put your name and hailing port on any "clearly visible external part of the hull." It does not have to be on the stern. Of course, anywhere else besides the stern would look entirely too silly.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcfaq.asp#15

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:45 am

prowlersfish wrote:Even with a 2 stroke I don't like puting all that force on the lower tube .

NOTE I use the Weaver ARC which attaches to the transom not the tube to support the extra weight.... due to the concerns mentioned by Paul.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:51 am

If you block the name with the dink and put the name on the bottom , They won't hassle you about it . I have spoke to several members of the C G about it . By the book they could , but in real life they won't as long as the Name / hailing port on the boat is correct also .

( If its a inspected vessel for hire forget it )

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:57 am

And if the vessel is not documented??
I believe no such requirement, am I wrong?

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 11:01 am

prowlersfish wrote:And its a real shame to block a good looking name . Thats what makes a boat yours not just a number

I only need to see the name when I return in the dink to know where home is after a boat crawl

comodave · Post by **comodave** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 11:09 am

I had a Seawise davit on our last boat. It was great. Very quick and very easy to launch and recover the dinghy. It is somewhat pricey, but it worked very well and you leave the motor mounted.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 11:25 am

ready123 wrote:And if the vessel is not documented??
I believe no such requirement, am I wrong?

correct But it makes it harder for a Vessel to hail you when the over take you . Or to hail you for any other reason

And when I try to hail someone to stand down so I can pass (most boats are clueless to horn signals) and you don't respond , don't complain when I give you some wake .

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 12:31 pm

Name on bottom of dink is on list when we stop in Ft. Myers to do some siteseeing etc: