Davit options

[Storyline]

Have decided that we really have to come up with a solution to transporting our dinghy. It is too long to fit between the baby stay and the mast and we have had the classic flying dinghy syndrome a couple of times in strong winds so some time ago we gave up towing it completely. Now we have to inflate it (not too much hassle) but then haul it aboard using the spinny halyard and then deflate it after use which is a pia when we only want to do a bit of shopping. As a result, age and a gradual dimming of the excitement of getting the tender out as soon as we arrive somewhere means we sometimes anchor and then do not get off the boat for a walk/explore etc.

The obvious solution seems to be davits but a few questions arise;

The dingy is not set up for use with davits so I am not sure how to modify it to include lifting points. It has an air deck with a ring near the bow but this would not be suitable so how do people lift the bow ? The stern has a wooden transom so I assume I can just drill a hole in that.

As regards the davits, are there any particular models that are recommended ? The deck at the stern of the boat is quite busy with the normal taffrail stanchions and a pole for a wind generator on stbd and a crane for the outboard on port so I was wondering if there was something available that mounts through the transom rather than vertically onto the deck. The boat is a traditional design with a near vertical transom.

Is the lifting system just a block/s and purchase or are there better/easier to lift solutions ?

Any tips gratefully received
(The hinge type system I have seen widely used would not be suitable as the engine exhaust is through the transom).

The dinghy is a hefty Avon Rover 2.8 airdeck which weighs in at 36kg.

Edit: thinking about it maybe an alternative is to get a secondary ultralight weight dinghy for use to row when it is calm. These days there is usually just the two of us so something small would suffice for a quick shopping trip. However I really like the security of having something substantial when it is a bit rough or when I am going outside the anchorage to lay the pot. I am very careful when using it in offshore winds and never have to completely rely on the engine but in even moderate winds waves can develop sometimes if we have to anchor some way off the shore. Is a secondary lightweight option complete madness ?

 

[Tranona]

Google Yacht Davits and you will get plenty of options to look at to help you form your ideas.

 

[claymore]

Go and have a look at mine - its in the marina somewhere.
the dinghy slings came from my old mate SaltyJohn

 

[mike h]

We used to have them on my Dad's boat back when the dinghy was my toy. Davits can be a pain, the dinghy does shift about in a heavy sea and you're constantly worrying about them in the harbour... perhaps consider ones on a hinge so they fold in???

Lifting it out is a doddle, one line to the d ring on the bow and another 2 to the transom. You can glue fittings to the tubes that make it easier. After that, lots of straps to hold it in place in a heavy sea.

 

[Storyline]

Go and have a look at mine - its in the marina somewhere.
the dinghy slings came from my old mate SaltyJohn

Saw them when we spent a night moored on the visitors pontoon directly behind you - noticed your dinghy was on the foredeck though, is that because they charge more for the extra length when the dinghy is hung on the davits ?

It is something that has crossed my mind, whether we would be charged more if we had a dinghy on davits or do most marinas charge on the actual boat length ?

 

[Tranona]

Saw them when we spent a night moored on the visitors pontoon directly behind you - noticed your dinghy was on the foredeck though, is that because they charge more for the extra length when the dinghy is hung on the davits ?

It is something that has crossed my mind, whether we would be charged more if we had a dinghy on davits or do most marinas charge on the actual boat length ?

That is potentially one of the biggest negatives of davits. Most (but not all) marinas charge by overall length including any permanent overhangs like bowsprits and davits. So you could end up with a very costly addition! However, some davit designs swivel so you can bring them inboard when not in use.

When you look around you will find very few sailing boats of your size with davits even though owners mostly face exactly the same issues about using their dinghy as you do. Think when you look more closely you may probably come to the same conclusion as all the others - the advantages do not outweigh the significant disadvantages.

 

[Storyline]

That is potentially one of the biggest negatives of davits. Most (but not all) marinas charge by overall length including any permanent overhangs like bowsprits and davits. So you could end up with a very costly addition! However, some davit designs swivel so you can bring them inboard when not in use.

When you look around you will find very few sailing boats of your size with davits even though owners mostly face exactly the same issues about using their dinghy as you do. Think when you look more closely you may probably come to the same conclusion as all the others - the advantages do not outweigh the significant disadvantages.

Thanks Tranona, that is really food for thought. Have to say though that I take issue with the boat size as I have seen more and more boats recently that are shorter than our 36' with davits which was one of the things that got me thinking of the idea. As regards the charging I hope that if I get our boat yard to install them they will not charge us more in the future for our swinging mooring but will check.

I think I will start a new thread about the pros and cons as i have suspected they are not quite such a dream solution and your post highlights that.

 

[harstonwood]

We have a set of light weight Cooney Davits, hung on transom mounted brackets
Either remove the Davits when not in use (1pin) or swing in (relocate pin)
They are only rated to 50kgs, so engine off before hoisting!
They have been great, and only one issue with play in the port davit where the pin that secures it to the davit bracket got bent after a visiting yacht from Liverpool YC reversed into the dinghy, and made off without checking for damage. charming


Picture of boat with Davits on and off

 

[northwind]

Have you thought about buying an electric pump and storing it on deck deflated?

 

[Storyline]

We have a set of light weight Cooney Davits, hung on transom mounted brackets
.....

Thanks for your reply. Those would get round our shortage of flat afterdeck space. Do you happen to know the model number as I cannot find them on the Cooney site ?

Many thanks
Paul

 

[Storyline]

Have you thought about buying an electric pump and storing it on deck deflated?

Yes, got an electric inflator so deploying it is not an issue, it is the trouble of getting it back on board and deflating it that is a hassle. There is nowhere to store it on the deck as it is quite large at 2.8m and we have a centre cockpit and baby stay so nowhere for it to go.
Am now getting attracted to the idea of a small lightweight 3D tender which we could have on deck ready to go for occasional use and then use the Avon when conditions require.

 

[claymore]

Saw them when we spent a night moored on the visitors pontoon directly behind you - noticed your dinghy was on the foredeck though, is that because they charge more for the extra length when the dinghy is hung on the davits ?

It is something that has crossed my mind, whether we would be charged more if we had a dinghy on davits or do most marinas charge on the actual boat length ?

No - its on the foredeck because we wont be up for a week or two. It means I can keep the forehatch slightly open and also means we don't get back to a dinghy with rainwater in or one that has been used as a fender by other yachts. The rainwater is an issue despite having a drain on the transom. If the dinghy deflates a bit it tends to tilt and then a lot of water can accumulate below the level of the bung hole. This just puts a strain on everything so I like to leave it on deck if we are away for a while.
Ardfern don't charge extra for leaving it on the davits.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks Tranona, that is really food for thought. Have to say though that I take issue with the boat size as I have seen more and more boats recently that are shorter than our 36' with davits which was one of the things that got me thinking of the idea. As regards the charging I hope that if I get our boat yard to install them they will not charge us more in the future for our swinging mooring but will check.

I think I will start a new thread about the pros and cons as i have suspected they are not quite such a dream solution and your post highlights that.

One of the constraints on boats of that size is the width at the stern. 2.8m is big and you may well find it overhangs the stern. The extra windage, weight and clutter around the stern does not help balance the boat. As boats get bigger these constraints get less. It does really depend on how you use the boat, where you keep it and how prepared you are to tolerate the negatives as they do make stowage and launching easier.

 

[Cardo]

Ours are similar to harstonwood's. Previous owner fitted them, I believe they're Plastimo standards. One of them has had a metal plate welded onto the inside of the bend so it can take the weight of the outboard. The davits slot into the holes, and can be lifted slightly and turned through 180º so they're out of the way, or can be lifted out and taken off entirely.

We've been travelling round the Med for the last two years with these, with a 2.4m inflatable with a 2.5hp outboard stuck on them. We use a couple of extra lines to tie the dinghy down and keep it from swinging around in the bouncy stuff.

From scratch, as per my post on your other thread, I'd go for a big, hefty arch. But these certainly do the job!

 

[Storyline]

One of the constraints on boats of that size is the width at the stern. 2.8m is big and you may well find it overhangs the stern. The extra windage, weight and clutter around the stern does not help balance the boat. As boats get bigger these constraints get less. It does really depend on how you use the boat, where you keep it and how prepared you are to tolerate the negatives as they do make stowage and launching easier.

Yes, I suspect you are correct and it will overhang the stern at either end which will not look great but also may make mooring a bit difficult as it may get in the way with the warps. This probably will not outweigh the advantages as we have just returned from 14 nights cruising and anchored for 13 of them. Dilemmas, dilemmas - i really like the security of the largish dinghy and powerful outboard but it comes at quite a price. Maybe, as I said earlier a second dinghy might be the answer - ultra lightweight 3D one with a torqeedo motor then we have the best of all worlds ! (except it will probably not row as well as the Avon).