Davits yes or no

cueball

cueball

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Boat is a Starlight 39, need a new tender. I would like a 2.7/3m rib, but where to store it while underway?
Davits seem to be the only option but what about the weight aft? Will they spoil the look of the stern?
What does the forum suggest?
 
I fitted davits to a 323 Beneteau and had exactly your concerns. However I wouldn't be without them now. So much easier than the options, deflated dinghy on the fore deck, deflated dinghy in the locker, tow it behind etc etc.
Of course you have to consider the weight aft but I unship the engine before lifting (doubt it makes much difference as its stored on the pushpit anyway.)
Don't buy a rib that is too heavy, keep it light and all is ok for me as far as weight goes.
Like most things on boats, its a compromise and makes the best of an awkward situation in my opinion.
 
Bobc said:
I fitted davits a few ears ago. It's a game-changer.
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Most boats are designed for open access through the back of the cockpit so if your plans include Med mooring, or stern to in a marina, or lots of swimming having davits is like having your car hung at waist height across your front door. Hoist to foredeck far better.

But if you sail in cold waters and more bows-in (which I never understand anywhere) then why not.
 
cueball said:
Boat is a Starlight 39, need a new tender. I would like a 2.7/3m rib, but where to store it while underway?
Davits seem to be the only option but what about the weight aft? Will they spoil the look of the stern?
What does the forum suggest?
Click to expand...


One of the best looking boats of it's era. I couldn't do it.

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I guess it all depends on your situation.

I have a mid-river mooring, so need to use the dinghy to reach the boat. So for me it's great that I can just pull the boat up and go. I also prefer anchoring to marinas, so again it's great to have the dinghy there ready to use. I also leave the outboard on the dinghy, which saves on locker space, and the dinghy is a great place to store fenders whilst sailing.

I've never been charged more in a marina for having the dinghy on the back so I reckon that's a bit of a red herring.

I fitted the Plastimo removable davits which slide into sockets in the deck. So when I leave the boat, I remove the davits and store them in the aft locker.

Oh yes, and go for an aluminium rib, probably about 2.7m would work best on your boat.
 
RupertW said:
Most boats are designed for open access through the back of the cockpit so if your plans include Med mooring, or stern to in a marina, or lots of swimming having davits is like having your car hung at waist height across your front door. Hoist to foredeck far better.

But if you sail in cold waters and more bows-in (which I never understand anywhere) then why not.
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Mooring bows-in requires a very specific situation, there is one harbour in Croatia that I know on Silba which has an under-water sloping rock-face extending from the harbour wall, it goes out a few meters. Mooring stern too would foul the rudder on the rocks, but bows-to is fine. This situation is also often the case in scandinavian anchorages.
 
PaulRainbow said:
If you are thinking of davits, it's worth considering having a solar arch built, with fold out davits.
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Don't need the fold out davits if the arch is sloped back. No increase in l.o.a either if dinghy is floated alongside bow when berthed. For Med type, as in Gib, we berth bows in, better for privacy as well.


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The OP may have room on the transom for Weaver snap brackets., which are handy for day sailing. They are expensive but I see there are now cheaper alternatives:

Ceredi Easy-Lift White PVC Snap Davit Bathing Platform Kit | eBay

For more lively sailing I would put it on the foredeck, which can be fairly easy if you lift the bow on a halyard first.
I always think that living aboard 24/7 is a different matter to family sailing/racing/pottering out of a home port.

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