duncan
Active member
Looking to secure a 2.6m inflatable onto the bathing platform (ledge!).
Any comments/advice welcome
Any comments/advice welcome
Snap davits - good or a problem?
- Thread starter duncan
- Start date
hlb
RIP
Well I suppose they do the job.
But they always give me the impression of an old transit van with the back doors fastened with string and an old carpet poking out.
Not sure if its the answer you were looking for. Or maybe I'm just having a bad day!!
Haydn
But they always give me the impression of an old transit van with the back doors fastened with string and an old carpet poking out.
Not sure if its the answer you were looking for. Or maybe I'm just having a bad day!!
Haydn
G
Guest
Guest
I agree wuth Haydn, the dinghy can look a bit odd but I have used both and prefer snap davits.
Mine is a 2.7m tender and the snap davits save me about one metre on my LOA for mooring charges. As well as this they are incredibly easy to use, I simply drive up to the bathing platform and the tender latches into the davits.
The down sides are
1. You cannot store the outboard on the tender
2. You need to check the distance between bathing platform and water
Mine is a 2.7m tender and the snap davits save me about one metre on my LOA for mooring charges. As well as this they are incredibly easy to use, I simply drive up to the bathing platform and the tender latches into the davits.
The down sides are
1. You cannot store the outboard on the tender
2. You need to check the distance between bathing platform and water
G
Guest
Guest
Agreed.
Snap davits work well, especially with integral bathing platforms.
The relationship between the dinghy/fastenings and the bathing platform is crucial if they are to work well.
One thing to watch - I tend to bring the dinghy alongside the wrong way round so to speak - the metal clips can scratch your stainless rubbing strake or grp if its rough, so I clip the dinghys grab line to the davits and hey presto instant mooring.
Turn it round, hoist it up and make it fast when you're ready to go.
We all have our little foibles........
Snap davits work well, especially with integral bathing platforms.
The relationship between the dinghy/fastenings and the bathing platform is crucial if they are to work well.
One thing to watch - I tend to bring the dinghy alongside the wrong way round so to speak - the metal clips can scratch your stainless rubbing strake or grp if its rough, so I clip the dinghys grab line to the davits and hey presto instant mooring.
Turn it round, hoist it up and make it fast when you're ready to go.
We all have our little foibles........
lyc
New member
Snap Davits are quick and very easy to use but they tend to make you swear a lot more. Watch your toes!!
Difficult to lock tender onto but have had a piece welded onto my weaver davits so can put a padlock through.
Difficult to lock tender onto but have had a piece welded onto my weaver davits so can put a padlock through.
G
Guest
Guest
I have replaced conventional davits with snap davits on my last two boats. The reasons as stated below are reduces length by about 1 metre which helps for both fees and manoeverability. The engine does have to be removed but I have had brackets fabricated to store the engine in the gap on the bathing platform behind the dinghy. Main disadvantage is the restricted ability to use the bathing platform when the dinghy is stowed.
IMHO I would not use conventional davits unless the dinghy was of such a size/weight to make snap davits unusable.
Colin
IMHO I would not use conventional davits unless the dinghy was of such a size/weight to make snap davits unusable.
Colin
peterg
New member
you might want to also consider an IBS Tender Lift which doesn't require glueing brackets onto a dinghy and looks at least as easy to use - have a look on www.inflatable-boat-supplies.co.uk
G
Guest
Guest
Re: will you please stop giving sensible answers!
Bloody hell, I am having to agree with HLB again. Snap davits are OK for small dinghies but who wants to be bothered unslinging the engine every time + there is always the risk you drop the engine at the critical moment, especially in any sea when boat and dinghy are rising and falling at unsynchronised moments. Naturally all sensible boaters would have it attached by a bit of rope for just such an emergency but it doesnt go very well immediately after a dowsing.
If you have a dinghy of any size with a bigger engine, it is just not feasible and davits are so much easier. Also, on flybridge boats, I think they look better, perhaps less so on sports cruisers.
Nick
Bloody hell, I am having to agree with HLB again. Snap davits are OK for small dinghies but who wants to be bothered unslinging the engine every time + there is always the risk you drop the engine at the critical moment, especially in any sea when boat and dinghy are rising and falling at unsynchronised moments. Naturally all sensible boaters would have it attached by a bit of rope for just such an emergency but it doesnt go very well immediately after a dowsing.
If you have a dinghy of any size with a bigger engine, it is just not feasible and davits are so much easier. Also, on flybridge boats, I think they look better, perhaps less so on sports cruisers.
Nick
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
I had snap davits on my last boat and I'd never use them again because they're a pain in the bum
1. You cant walk on the bathing platform with the tender in place
2. You have to remove the engine
3. They're difficult to lock on when the water's choppy
4. They scratch your gel coat
5. The back of your boat looks naff
Proper davits everytime for me
1. You cant walk on the bathing platform with the tender in place
2. You have to remove the engine
3. They're difficult to lock on when the water's choppy
4. They scratch your gel coat
5. The back of your boat looks naff
Proper davits everytime for me
duncan
Active member
thank you all for your range of responses.
as a relativey small boat (not a nice flybridge - yet) the issue is more between roll up and stow or s/davits than davits / sdavits. Equally the outboard issues less important (a problem either way!).
You seem to confirm that they do what they say well enough and the old plastic will get an airing......
The mention of a padlock addition to the Weaver is interesting because when I asked wether this was standard I was told it wasn't because even if you lock it to the platfom mounted base either the metal bit can be removed from the dingy quite easily or the knobbly rubber bit can be cut through where the metal attaches to the dingy. Comments?
Thanks again (and sry to be a further contribution to Nick and Haydn's forthcoming engagement.............)
as a relativey small boat (not a nice flybridge - yet) the issue is more between roll up and stow or s/davits than davits / sdavits. Equally the outboard issues less important (a problem either way!).
You seem to confirm that they do what they say well enough and the old plastic will get an airing......
The mention of a padlock addition to the Weaver is interesting because when I asked wether this was standard I was told it wasn't because even if you lock it to the platfom mounted base either the metal bit can be removed from the dingy quite easily or the knobbly rubber bit can be cut through where the metal attaches to the dingy. Comments?
Thanks again (and sry to be a further contribution to Nick and Haydn's forthcoming engagement.............)
miket
Active member
For NielC.
Tried that mobile number you gave me re Davits, but either no reply or switched off.
Any other method of contact?
My email: m.thomas@macmillan.co.uk.
Thanks.
Tried that mobile number you gave me re Davits, but either no reply or switched off.
Any other method of contact?
My email: m.thomas@macmillan.co.uk.
Thanks.
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
There are 2 metal rings which are attached to rubber patches stuck onto the fabric of the dinghy and I suppose somebody with a craft knife could cut them away. However any form of security might be enough of a deterrent to make the dirtbags go to the boat next door
The only problem I have found with every type of lock I've ever used is that it only takes a few weeks before they corrode so they need regular applications of WD40 or similar
The only problem I have found with every type of lock I've ever used is that it only takes a few weeks before they corrode so they need regular applications of WD40 or similar
lyc
New member
Re: Snap davits and knobbly bits
The metal bit you snap onto our boat davits can only be removed if they are prepared to spend a lot of time under the bathing platform trying to undo nuts and bolts to steal it (makes the thief look rather obvious)The knobbly bits are strengthened with metal so again very hard to cut, so it just makes life that much harder for the opportunist thief. My last tender was stolen because it only takes seconds to untie or cut a rope.
They would have to really want this one to get it and if you go over the top on security what damage will they do to your boat?
The metal bit you snap onto our boat davits can only be removed if they are prepared to spend a lot of time under the bathing platform trying to undo nuts and bolts to steal it (makes the thief look rather obvious)The knobbly bits are strengthened with metal so again very hard to cut, so it just makes life that much harder for the opportunist thief. My last tender was stolen because it only takes seconds to untie or cut a rope.
They would have to really want this one to get it and if you go over the top on security what damage will they do to your boat?
duncan
Active member
Re: Snap davits and knobbly bits
excellent - sounds like the ones for me!
thank you
excellent - sounds like the ones for me!
thank you
lyc
New member
Re: Snap davits and knobbly bits
Should have made it clearer, the welded bits on the davits let me lock the sliding handle shut so the tender cannot be lifted off or turned over to get at the nuts and bolts without getting into the water and even then it is difficult.
Should have made it clearer, the welded bits on the davits let me lock the sliding handle shut so the tender cannot be lifted off or turned over to get at the nuts and bolts without getting into the water and even then it is difficult.
duncan
Active member
Re: Snap davits and knobbly bits
haven't got plans for these welded bits have you?
will order weaver ones anyway!
haven't got plans for these welded bits have you?
will order weaver ones anyway!
G
Guest
Guest
Agree with most everything said so far on this - the metal bits on the tender can do horrible damage to gelcoat. As for unmounting the engine, take a look at the new "Weaver Leaver" system. It's a swinging transom plate that allows the engine to be left attached. Also, use the standoff arms that Weaver do - they keep the tender clear and leave much of the platform free.
ArthurWood
New member
You can store the outboard on the tender using a hinge arrangement also supplied by the makers of snap davits. I haven't used it, but I've seen them here in the USA.
ArthurWood
New member
Duncan - as I mentioned above, Weaver do make a device to allow you to keep the motor attached while the dinghy is on the davits.
ArthurWood
New member
Duncan - see http://www.hurricaneibc.com/parts.htm
The fitting for the motor is made by Burke Ind, not Weaver.
The fitting for the motor is made by Burke Ind, not Weaver.
