Dinghy on snap davits

[petem]

We're planning on putting a dinghy on snap davits. Does anyone have any pics of a dinghy on snap davits on a T34 as I'm concerned that it would block the gate. I'm thinking 2.4m max. Whilst the wife and I are quite compact, one of my partner's is a quite tall.

Also can anyone recommend a make and model? I'm favouring a Honwave but anything grey with blue, black or white trim would be fine. Also, what motor?

Any recent magazine reviews I can use as a guide?

 

[kashurst]

T34 is @ 3.3 m wide isn't it? If so a 2.4m dinghy should fit easily offset to one side on snap davits. I had a dinghy on snapdavits, might be worth considering a lightweight version.
motor wise - if you can find one a mariner 2.5hp 2 stroke. You can pick them up with one hand (just). the four strokes are all quite a bit heavier. Or torqueedo.

 

[Greg2]

We used to have a Honwave and they get my vote. Well built bit of kit and larger tubes than many other makes so you feel a lot more 'in the boat' as opposed to being on top of it if that makes sense.

 

[Andy Bav]

Take a look at Excel inflatables. We have had a 230 - they go smaller - and mated that to. Suzuki 2.5 outboard. I think the package for both was just shy of £800, but that was about 5 years ago. Both going strong today, albeit in the garage, so no sun degradation to worry about..

 

[sprocker]

Take a look at Excel inflatables. We have had a 230 - they go smaller - and mated that to. Suzuki 2.5 outboard. I think the package for both was just shy of £800, but that was about 5 years ago. Both going strong today, albeit in the garage, so no sun degradation to worry about..

I have exactly the same setup. Our Excel 2.3 is light enough to handle by myself if needed to take off the boat, and the Suzuki 2.5 is also light enough to move easily from dingy to engine bay.

Large enough for two adults and two grandkids (just), perfect for two adults and one spaniel.

 

[jcwads]

Another thumbs up for Excel. I have the 200 so only big enough for 2 adults, but the 230 is great for your needs. They are really solid and well made. Matched with the same engine as sprocker.

Was a recent purchase and they were really helpful there - no association by the way!

 

[Dorset Dan]

I have a Zodiac C240 roll up that was supplied with the boat - I almost binned it as it was sooooo dirty but it cleaned up quite well with some elbow grease.

I attach pics - as you will see it is quite large and with the stand off arms it really gets in the way of the swim platform - it seems to have been slightly offset to port to allow easier access to the platform and gate, though is still not ideal. Definitely wouldn't want anything any longer than this.

I have a 2 stroke 3.3hp mariner engine (seems quite light compared to my old 3.5hp mariner 4 stroke) which I have a bracket mounted in the engine bay (yes, it will be a faff to get in and out but I really don't like the transom mounted brackets and for the times that I will use it I can live with the hassle of lifting the hatch). Next time I am at the boat (wish I was there now looking outside!) I will take some pics of this for you.

As an aside I am going to get some stand off arms made to attach from top of dinghy up to the radar arch, just for use back at the marina, so that it 'opens' up the access to the swim platform. It should allow the dinghy to stand more upright and we will have unhindered access across the width of the platform as you would walk 'under' the stand off arm rather than having to climb over them. Whilst at sea I will re-attach to the weaver stand off arms as they look quite robust.

 

[petem]

Thanks all.

Dan, those pics are really interesting and confirm that 2.4m is probably the optimum size. But it's a stark reminder that it puts the bathing platform totally out of bounds whilst the dinghy in on the back.

So a supplementary question, will I really use a tender in Mallorca? We don't much like beaches but we should enjoy going ashore for lunch or beach clubs. Is a tender essential or will the clubs / restaurants / man in a dinghy pick you up instead? What do you do with the tender when you're ashore having lunch?

 

[petem]

Dan, sorry a bit of thread drift, do you have a liferaft? If so, where do you keep it (we have a great big 6 man in a bag, it weighs a ton and there's nowhere to store it so we have to keep humping it from the cabin to the cockpit and back again)?

 

[Dorset Dan]

Thanks all.

Dan, those pics are really interesting and confirm that 2.4m is probably the optimum size. But it's a stark reminder that it puts the bathing platform totally out of bounds whilst the dinghy in on the back.

So a supplementary question, will I really use a tender in Mallorca? We don't much like beaches but we should enjoy going ashore for lunch or beach clubs. Is a tender essential or will the clubs / restaurants / man in a dinghy pick you up instead? What do you do with the tender when you're ashore having lunch?

Yes I agree that it does compromise the use of the platform but mine is definitely leaning forward quite a lot (there are a few other fairline targa's on our pontoon, I will see what set ups they have at the weekend and send you pics of any better set ups).

Mine will be improved no end by the use of a stand off arm up to the radar arch though as I plan for the tender to be more upright which will open up access across the platform again.

 

[Dorset Dan]

Dan, sorry a bit of thread drift, do you have a liferaft? If so, where do you keep it (we have a great big 6 man in a bag, it weighs a ton and there's nowhere to store it so we have to keep humping it from the cabin to the cockpit and back again)?

No liferaft for us - does it not fit in the locker on the transom? I thought that was what the locker was designed for?

 

[Portofino]

There's a T34 in our marina .
Is got a small Zodiac just sat flat with an overhang on the Bathing Flatform .
Looks like its just more than 1/2 on ie balanced -they have tied it on .
There seems enough just about clearance to step across the rear pods throught the transome door RHS .
It's got a Passerelle too mounted on the transom .The tender sits flat under it .

Looks neat ,tidy ,areodymamic ,and secondary acts as a rear fender .

I would not screw divices other than recessed o rings on the bathing flatform .
In the Med you need free unsnagable access to the sea to keep cool .

Also don,t rule out a fixed proper hydraulic Passerelle just yet .keep that option open re the clutter of stand offs and a tender on its side .
You hint about lack storage issues for a liferaft a folding manual Passerelle is another odd shape to get in and out .

Pete I think some stuff IMHO need NOT be fitted ( still on the list high ish up ) until you get the boat actually in the med and start using .Theres a higher probability of getting it right 1st time .
You gonna have to establish a network of local engineers /suppliers anyhow to supply parts and fix the stuff that the syndicate cannot tackle .

Cover repairs
Teak replacement
Aircon
Drive service
Electronics guy
Trim rams
As examples .

The final berth(s) you end up in may dictate a proper Passerelle is better , so a UK fittted stand up tender set up now has to be redone costing more in the longer term .

Also teething trouble .Having stuff done by locals means they can pop back to adjust or replace early faulty parts .

 

[petem]

Thanks Porto, all valid comments except that the boat already has Snap Davits fitted Stand-Offs fitted! And I've just paid to have them straightened as they protude a good 6 inches or so.

 

[petem]

No liferaft for us - does it not fit in the locket on the transom? I thought that was what the locker was designed for?

I suspect that rear liferaft locker would only accommodate a very small 4 man job. I need to find somewhere better to store ours, on or off the boat, when we're pottering around (i.e. onshore, daylight and within sight of half a dozen boats or more).

 

[petem]

The optimum solution for the tender would be one that folds small enough to fit into the unused liferaft locker at the stern (there's a power point on the stern already which could power a pump). Excel 200SL perhaps? We'd then have the option of inflating it and leaving it on the snap davits or stowing it away. Measuring required!

 

[Bigplumbs]

Have you looked at the 3D lightweight tenders. Those are very small when rolled up

Dennis

 

[petem]

Have you looked at the 3D lightweight tenders. Those are very small when rolled up

Dennis

Hi Dennis, thanks just had a quick look and could be ideal. Very helpfully they give the size when folded.

 

[sprocker]

Yes I agree that it does compromise the use of the platform but mine is definitely leaning forward quite a lot (there are a few other fairline targa's on our pontoon, I will see what set ups they have at the weekend and send you pics of any better set ups).

Mine will be improved no end by the use of a stand off arm up to the radar arch though as I plan for the tender to be more upright which will open up access across the platform again.

I have the same setup as Dan, with the tender angled down for cruising. I altered my standoff arms to allow me to fit an extension bar in, which then sets the dingy at 90 degrees whilst at anchor/mooring/pontoon.
This then gives full access to the swim platform, you do have to stride over the arms, but this hasn't caused any issues for us.

 

[[2068]]

Not a Fairline, sorry, but after some head scratching, I have just completed mounting the tender on the stern of FP, using "Snap-Up" davits and long extension arms.
Tender is a Zodiac Cadet Airdeck - they are available in different sizes.
I didn't want the hassle of inflating/deflating, so instead I focused on keeping the bathing platform accessible even with the tender on-board.

 

[Dorset Dan]

^^^^ that is exactly what I am going to try and replicate - much tidier than having stand off arms to clamber over - looks like you've got plenty of head room under the arms?