fit snap davits to Dufour 30 classic

[sthurley]

I have got hold of a set of snap davits from a motor boat bathing platform which I would like to mount on the sugar scoop of my Dufour 30 classic. I could bend some stainless steel plate to make a mount but thought I would ask if anyone has done this already or has a better idea?

 

[oldsaltoz]

I have got hold of a set of snap davits from a motor boat bathing platform which I would like to mount on the sugar scoop of my Dufour 30 classic. I could bend some stainless steel plate to make a mount but thought I would ask if anyone has done this already or has a better idea?

Be very very careful, few in any boats are designed to have davits added, they are not a simple bolt on job.

You will almost certainly have to strengthen the fixing point/s.

Also keep in mind that not being designed for davits means the stern will be lower than design, this can adversely effect the handling, more so in heavy conditions.

Try to find another vessel the same or like your own and have a talk to the owner, also contact the manufactures before committing yourself.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[johnphilip]

Be very very careful, few in any boats are designed to have davits added, they are not a simple bolt on job.

You will almost certainly have to strengthen the fixing point/s.

Also keep in mind that not being designed for davits means the stern will be lower than design, this can adversely effect the handling, more so in heavy conditions.

Try to find another vessel the same or like your own and have a talk to the owner, also contact the manufactures before committing yourself.

Good luck and fair winds.

I believe you may be exaggerating the problem, these are not davits as you might expect like mini cranes but merely "hinges" google for examples. I believe the effect will be much like lashing the dinghy on edge across the stern. When I have tried this I was caught out by how much the ends caught the sternwave when heeled.

 

[Tranona]

I have got hold of a set of snap davits from a motor boat bathing platform which I would like to mount on the sugar scoop of my Dufour 30 classic. I could bend some stainless steel plate to make a mount but thought I would ask if anyone has done this already or has a better idea?

Not sure they will be of much value on that size boat. The stern is not wide enough to take a decent size dinghy on its side, nor will it be high enough to avoid getting in the water when heeled. They work on MOBOs because in general the bathing platforms are wide and the sterns high, plus the boat does not heel.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

I believe you may be exaggerating the problem, these are not davits as you might expect like mini cranes but merely "hinges" google for examples. I believe the effect will be much like lashing the dinghy on edge across the stern. When I have tried this I was caught out by how much the ends caught the sternwave when heeled.

I too have a Dufour 30 Classic and I happen to have a dinghy with Snap-Davits attached, but I don't have the "receivers" which should be fitted to the boat. If anyone has a pair to sell, please PM me. Failing the acquisition of these, I thought I might improvise, with a pair of large snap-shackles.
I realised also, that the mounting points would have to be well reinforced, a difficult job in a cramped area, but had not considered the impracticalities of carrying a dinghy so close to the waterline, where it could indeed drag it's ends in the water when heeled. I wish sthurley luck and hope he will keep us informed of his progress with the job and whether it works without damaging the dinghy or slowing the boat.

 

[sthurley]

You are quite right on the dinghy being longer in length than the width of the stern and the location of the davits would cause the dinghy to snag the water when the boat is heeled. My reason for wanting to attach the snap davits is to have use of the dinghy when berthed at my home marina (we enjoy simply scooting around the marina in the dinghy) but keep the dinghy out of the water to stop weed growth and to bring the dinghy on the back of the boat on a calm summer day if going to a local beach under engine. If out sailing the dinghy would just be kept at the berth. Any long trips away from home I would deflate the dinghy and store on deck. The davits provide a good stable platform for getting on and off the dinghy, especially with junior in tow! I am going to bend some stainless into a mount and use marine ply backing plates to spread the load - just need to determine how low I can go with a bolt through the stern.