Fitting snap davits to a bathing platform

S

spinreach

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Jan 2008
Messages
128
Location
Bucks
Visit site
I'm looking to fit snap davits to my swim platform. However, getting access to the inside of the platform in order to locknut the bolts fixing the davit head to the platform needs the powers of elastic man or the removal of an engine, both options being equally impossible / unpalletable!

So, how do folk attach the davit shoes to their platforms as I can't beleive I'm the only one with this problem? Do people through bolt or just go with long selftapping screws which seems a bit lightweight to me, but I have heard of this being done.

There are "toggles" available for attaching davit heads in restricted spaces which I think work on the principal of a metal flange opening up, once it's been placed in the through hole into the platform - has anyone any experience of fitting these and if so, do they hold the weight well? Or do I just need to find a very bendy person?

Thanks
 
We have exactly the same issue. In the end decided not to do it and have been able to use the bathing ladder.

Luckily it is central on the bathing platform and when folded out and pulled up against the tender holds is snug as a bug. It was through bolted at the time of constrcution and if can hold fat old me then it can hold the tender, and the weight of the tender is on the bathing platform.

Was advised by several parties though that a combination of a very strong adhesive and the screws that pull back a flange would be fine.

I have used those screws that pull back a flange / washer for holding pretty heavy stuff on partition walls with great effect so see no reason why they would not work.

Would the same system work for an outboard bracket, same issue with bendy arms.
 
I used the toggles from Weaver with an adhesive/sealant between the platform and davit. The was mainly to seal the through holes though I suspect it may add a little something to the fixing. No problems so far. Been on a couple of seasons. The dinghy's a 2.65 meter Air rib so quite heavy.
 
msimms said:
I used the toggles from Weaver with an adhesive/sealant between the platform and davit. The was mainly to seal the through holes though I suspect it may add a little something to the fixing. No problems so far. Been on a couple of seasons. The dinghy's a 2.65 meter Air rib so quite heavy.
Click to expand...

I agree that is the best option. Horrible Job to get in to put on Bolts (unless you have a willing 6 year old who likes working in confined spaces!)
 
Nautorius said:
I agree that is the best option. Horrible Job to get in to put on Bolts (unless you have a willing 6 year old who likes working in confined spaces!)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. Reassuring in the replies as I thought I may have been missing something. I've asked the yard to take a look, so it will be interesting what they say as their ideal installation (assuming suitable access) was throughbolted with possibly a ply back plate to add additional support, but I think there will be a different tune when they see the lack of wiggle room in the engine space.

I'll definitely look at using the bathing ladder as a support. My problem will be that there is a hinged lid covering the ladder recess in the platform which could flap about a bit. Will advise what I eventually end up with.

Cheers
 
Unless you have 6ft long arms i stuck or jamed the internal nut in a length of copper pipe and had a 2nd person locate it inside and i then tightened it up from the outside. You could also use a small socket set on a very long extension.
 
Would it be possible / feasible to install one of those small round (approx 8" diameter) plastic screw-in access hatches next to each davit, so that you can just reach in to 'hold' the nuts when doing them up?
 
Bajansailor said:
Would it be possible / feasible to install one of those small round (approx 8" diameter) plastic screw-in access hatches next to each davit, so that you can just reach in to 'hold' the nuts when doing them up?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't want to put such big holes in my platform, particularly as people would be standing on the hatches and how much weight can they take. However, I will take a look at the feasibility of putting one in my ladder recess which would mean maybe a maximum reach of 2 feet to either davit. Depends on how much space that position allows as it's recessed into the platform void - I think it may provide only a couple of inches so not allow for a hand and wrist that much leverage.

The previous suggestion of an extension holding a socket or spanner sounds doable as well.

Plenty to noodle about so far, thanks for all the suggestions.
 
Bajansailor said:
Would it be possible / feasible to install one of those small round (approx 8" diameter) plastic screw-in access hatches next to each davit, so that you can just reach in to 'hold' the nuts when doing them up?
Click to expand...

I was thinking along similar lines but maybe smaller 4" dia and putting them underneath where they won't be seen with the boat in the water and wn't get trodden on. Will need to be well sealed though.
 
davedpc said:
Unless you have 6ft long arms i stuck or jamed the internal nut in a length of copper pipe and had a 2nd person locate it inside and i then tightened it up from the outside. You could also use a small socket set on a very long extension.
Click to expand...
That's exactly the method I used on a previous boat. Stuck a lump of Play Dough (or similar) on the end of a length of 15mm copper piping. Also taped a pencil torch to the pipe so we could see into the darkest recesses.
 
As the paltform is fairly thin you could drill all the way through and fix the nuts on the underside with appropriately sized washers. Simples.

Personally I'd use good quality SS toggles bolts
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top