davits..submit opinons :)

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:22 pm

ready123 wrote:Name on bottom of dink is on list when we stop in Ft. Myers to do some siteseeing etc:

I have the name on the bottom of mine. I have an old Achilles with soft bottom. Red Green would have bee proud of me...

Made a stencil using Powerpoint with boat name in the same font as was on the boat, and scaled it up to a reasonable size. Taped all the pieces of paper together, then cut out the letters (hence the printed stuff became a stencil).

Taped it to the bottom of the dinghy, then got one big arse fat permanent marker and just coloured it in. Whether dinghy is up or down, the name and port is there - and in the same font.

Dinghy doesn't spend a lot of time in the water, but lettering is still holding up 5 years later.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:00 pm

I too have an older (but period correct) Achilles. I also have the Weaver system. I like it ok. The best thing about it is that there isn't a whole lot of crap to look at when you aren't using it like some other systems.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:40 pm

well seawise is out....I've been on the bay twice in high following seas that hit my Dinghy and canvas, And the dink is also our life raft...you know pups and wife 1st...

http://bilgereport.blogspot.com/2004/05 ... -dust.html

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:48 pm

After reading that story I don't blame you for your decision.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:18 pm

A couple of things in that story don't add up, so before you write it off you should research a bit more. Plus that story is 8 years old - odds are construction may have changed since then.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:23 pm

That far aft of the transom and as low as it was mounted ,6-9 foot seas ? its no surprise .

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 4:38 am

on the seawise system or other ones like it, I'm using a system like it now that uses C shaped arms that hold the dinghy on, in a stand up position and I really don't like it much.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 10:22 am

Are those the arms that bolt into the transom area of the dingy that I have seen folks using? I thought they looked pretty good (from a distance). Any specifics on why you don't care for them? I have to make some changes to the system I inherited from Nancy. That was one of the options I was considering.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 10:28 am

The difference in sea conditions can make a difference in what works

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 11:13 am

I've installed a few different types both vertical and horizontal. There are pros and cons to all. I like the versatility and options that Weaver offers for both the dinghy and motor. I also like the fact that with the right setup, you can still have full use of the swim platform with nothing in the way or much to stow away. As mentioned before, do not mount the dinghy such that the weight is on the tube, use the proper hardware. http://www.weaverindustries.com/

Installed a few of these and have had good feedback; http://www.hurleymarine.com/Davit_Directory.html

The only failure I can report was on a Seaweed system. The front arm with the motor broke off in rough seas. May have been due to owner error though as they did not tie the dinghy down. This would have caused a lot more stress due to additional movement. The hardware though designed to be removed, is combersom to do so and is not the easiest thing to store. http://www.seaweedmarine.com/

Which ever system you install, ensure your platform can properly carry the load in rough seas. If there is movement with the dinghy on it in your slip, it will all go bad in rough water. Some platforms just arren't made for dinghies. I suggest you through-bolt everything, even if you have an integrated/hollow swin platform. In such a case, cut access holes underneath. They can then be covered with plates. And of course seal all fastener penetration points properly.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:25 am

[quote="Commissionpoint"]Are those the arms that bolt into the transom area of the dingy that I have seen folks using? I thought they looked pretty good (from a distance). Any specifics on why you don't care for them? I have to make some changes to the system I inherited from Nancy. That was one of the options I was considering.[/quote]

the system I'm using now looks like this one but the arms are made out of fiberglass. and is a p.i.t.a. if the dink gets water in it over nite if it rains. The back is getting old and just doesn't like pulling as much as it use to.

http://www.adventuremarine.net/product- ... =3&do=list

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:53 am

alexander38 wrote:...The back is getting old and just doesn't like pulling as much as it use to...

Tony, you have the advantage of a high transom. I installed a double pulley system for a guy on a Carver similar to yours for swinging up his dinghy. I through bolted a SS eye as far up as I could, where he could attach the pulley. Hook it up to the dinghy and pull. He loved it, it was way easier than pulling the dinghy by hand. When the pulley is not in use for a while, it gets removed and stowed. If it's going to be used again soon, the lifting end gets hooked up to an eye I mounted down low on the transom. This keeps the pulley secured, out of the way, and ready to use. There is some nice hardware out there in the sail boat section, and with new rope, it can be a nice looking setup.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:55 am

alexander38 wrote:
Commissionpoint wrote: Are those the arms that bolt into the transom area of the dingy that I have seen folks using? I thought they looked pretty good (from a distance). Any specifics on why you don't care for them? I have to make some changes to the system I inherited from Nancy. That was one of the options I was considering.
the system I'm using now looks like this one but the arms are made out of fiberglass. and is a p.i.t.a. if the dink gets water in it over nite if it rains. The back is getting old and just doesn't like pulling as much as it use to.

http://www.adventuremarine.net/product- ... =3&do=list

Thanks for the feedback. I understand what you are saying, espescially about the rain. It likes to downpour with no notice here in the summer.

Looks like I will just stick with the Weaver set-up and get the proper accesories for my model of dingy.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:58 pm

I use this lift type davit and it works well for me. This is a custom set however there are manufactures such as St Croix that make them from stainless tube. I can launch or retrieve my tender in minutes and in an emergency, it can be dropped in immediately.

They use block & tackle to raise or lower each side independently which keeps it simple. The biggest draw back that I've experienced with them is that they restrict access to the swim platform. To deal with rain filling the tender, the drain plug can be left open or a cover can keep things dry.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 6:52 pm

they look real nice Paul, I made so many things in pipe/ship-fitter shops when I was in the Navy it kills me buying anything I know how to make but lack the shop tools to make them. And a good MIG or TIG welder cost to much to cover how much I'd use it. But davits are winning.