Inflatable stowage / davitts

A

ABB

New Member
Joined
21 Oct 2007
Messages
18
Visit site
Looking for examples and recommendations (with pics if possible) of stowage options for inflatable off rear mo bo with swim platform (Merry Fisher 925). Also, any nifty outboard options?

Appreciate any advice.
 
I would agree with PKS Weaver snap davits are a fraction of the price of proper davits and as the dinghy is on its side they prevent the dinghy filling up with water and dirt and take up little room.

The room could be an issue ie if you leave the dinghy inflated on the proper davits and you are in a marina you may be charged the extra length for this.
 
I used this method for years on our old boat:

DSCF0054.jpg


No davits or anything, just a stout line to the bow of the tender, pull her rear on to the bathing platform so the rear of the tubes just sit on the platform, pull and up she comes. Tied to the ski eye in our case and back to a suitable point on the dinghy transom to stop it bouncing off. Worked for us!!
 
I started out with snap davits with a transom mounted bracket for the outboard.
Ondavits.jpg

I found it a pain having to take the engine off all the time and decided on a pair of used davits which cost me £200. Its worked very well and is quicker to deploy and enabled me to have a rib with a bigger outboard.
davits.jpg

Solent07002.jpg

In conclusion I would say an inflatable with a light outboard you are better off with snap davits. If you want a rib with a bit of poke on the back go for the davits. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
thanks all for the replies and great photos ...

did some searching on old threads, recurring themes as follows

easy of retrieval
outboard on/off
extension beyond swim platform & marina charges
SAFETY re MOB !
cost

... now wondering is a 12V pump a better option !
 
I've been pondering this question for some time now.
My dingy usually lives in the store cupboard at home!
Me to thinks the 12v inflator a good idea but I would like to be able to stick the dingy on the back when we go away.
 
If you expect to be out in any sort of sea or F6+ then what ever system you use make sure the dingy cannot move or sway. If on davits it needs to be firmly strapped to right up them and the boat, not just dangling and swaying violently as you traverse waves. Snap davits are good for this as the dingy as very secure. Suggest low weight dingy with an inflatable air floor, much easier and lifter to lift. Bolt outboard onto transom bracket with a safety line and padlock.
 
Need to sort out a better way of dangling the Q270 airdeck as currently one davit attaches to the front towing eye while the other has a decent bridle to rings on the transom. Can one get stick on loops to fit a bridle in the bow area, if so, any feedback on reliability? I stow the o/b in the cockpit so weight isn't an issue.
 
Yes you can. As long as you prep the area well before sticking them they will not come off. Its your lucky day, i have two in the garage i don't need, if you pm me your address i'll send them to you. You would need to buy the glue though from ibs, which i think is inflatable-boat-supplies.co.uk or something similar.
 
I have a device called a 'Weaver Lever' that I installed 5 years ago to go with my snap davit system.

It wasn't cheap by any means and I had to have it imported from the USA but it is a superb piece of kit.

The device attaches to the transom of the dingy and the outboard (8hp in my case) attaches to the Weaver Lever. It means that the outboard stays attached to the dingy when pulled upright on the snap davits. The lever allows the outboard to swivel 90degrees and stand upright still attached to the dingy when stowed.

Without it I wouldn't be able to use my 8hp engine as it is too heavy to safely manhandle on the bathing platform.

There is a stainless steel rod that takes all the weight of the outboard when stowed in the upright position.

If anyone is intrested I could post some photos, after I work out how to do it.
 
At first I tried towing the dingy - but the old 'rope around the prop' trick put me off that idea.

I have a dingy thats slightly wider than my boat. If I lash it across the bathing platform on its side - it catches the wind and acts as a brake.

So being unconventional - I invert the dingy and lay it flat on the front of the boat - tie a rope across the guard rails to stop it flying off. Works well and keeps it out of the way.

Can replact the rope with a chain an leave it there when in harbour if needs be
 
More about that 'Weaver Leaver' as the Americans like to spell it...

Hang on this is my first ever attempt at posting a picture...

IMG.jpg


and another view of it when dingy in water and outboard lying on its side...

IMG_0001.jpg


Sorry about the fact that these are brochure shots as I haven't got any decent ones of my installation.

Hope this was of some interest.
 
thanks Quo ... looks like a complicated piece of kit ... how robust are the components? ... any recall of price range?
 
The device is very strong - an unbreakable bit of kit. very solid and heavy, all stainless steel and very good quality.

Without it I simply wouldn't safely be able to use a heavy engine on the dingy. It is satisfying every time I use it and I haven't seen any others around. I'm always being asked about it. None of the UK Weaver dealers stocked the item when I purchased mine and I had to mail order it from the USA.

The downside is the price. I bought it around 5 or 6 years ago and I seem to remember that it cost around £350+ with the shipping from the USA. There were no duty charges or VAT I seem to remember as it was classified as 'safety equipment'. All this was years ago though and I don't know the current price or availability. I suggest you contact weaver directly.
 
Snap davits gotcha...

I have weaver snaps, very good bits of kit, well manufactured. However... careful what you mount them to! I have a bathing platform consisting of steel frame and teak slats. I bolted the davits directly to the slats, which was a-ok on the river. But.. first time out in the chop I crossed the wake of a large ship and buried the back of the boat. The tender was taken down too, and with its tremendous bouyancy it pulled ( and snapped..) the slats it was attached to from the steel frame, leaving the dinghy and bits of platform off on there own little cruise. Managed to recover the bits, and having replaced the slats I have now added another length of timber under the platform, with the davits (on longer bolts) now bolted to that to take the load. Whatever you screw 'em too, remember that structure will have to take the load of a partially submersed dinghy trying to break free.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top