Tender Advice

[nwclegg]

I have recently bought an ex-navy Nelson 34 and need to get a tender. For practical reasons I think I will use snap davits onto a proposed narrow bathing platform. Currently the boat has a teak boarding ladder.

I need a tender to cope with 4 people one of whom is larger and less agile.

What size and type of hull is recommended?
Are their practical issues with having a tender wider than the transom?

All advice welcome.

Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

See my comments on snap davits in RIN's posting. My feeling is that with 4 people and one of whom is not very agile, a proper solid floor RIB is a better bet because it is much more stable for boarding and disembarking than a flexible floored one, even those with an inflatable floor
Trouble is, such a tender is not really suitable for snap davits and a proper set of davits would be required which will cost more (although you may find a cheap secondhand pair) and may require strengthening of the transom
I would think for 4 adults you need a dinghy of at least 2.7m length but you dont need more than 4hp to power it unless you want planing performance. I've had a couple of Valiant RIB's in the past which have performed well. They're lighter and cheaper than Avon's but they're not as robust because they only have a single skin floor but they're good enough for a boat tender
I cant see any problems with having a dinghy wider than your boat other than possible mooring difficulties when you're in a lock or rafting against a bigger boat

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talbot]

Weaver do make a snap system that IS suitable for heavy inflatables and RIBs, The connection is via an arm that connects to more secure areas (e.g. the solid transom) see previous article for a link to a site that explains this.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Not seen that one before, it looks like a better system but it still does'nt get over the problems of having to remove the engine and obstructing the bathing platform

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Capt_Marlinspike]

I carry a tender on davits that is wider than the transom. No problem, makes a great fender when reversing in tight spaces!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mjf]

If you can get a Avon Rib lite 2.8m on the back that is what I would go for (and did!).

If the centre-line falls within your bathing platform when stowed you can then carry the beast on a couple of teak chocks which are fitted with a hinge to swing outboard for launching and recovery.

I have this system and it works well with a 5hp Yamaha. The tender can also be stowed in its bag if you do not mind it on the fordeck/saloon roof.

Good luck & enjoy!

Michael

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[nwclegg]

I wasn't planning on having a bathing platform as wide as that - with a boat of this type I thought it would not improve its looks so only intended having 0.5mtr wide. I once saw in a PBO "Sketchbook" a couple of arms with scoops the profile of the inflatable tube which tucked into the inside curve of the outside tube and then swung up and in to the boat lifting the far side in to the boat. I dont know if they exist.

My conclusion to date therefore is as solid a base as possible and 3.1mtr ideal even with transom width of say 2.5mtrs (I'l have to check, full beam is only 2.8mtrs). I have seen good reports of the aluminium / wood base suzumars as well as the avons.

The weight of the tender needs to sit on something other than the edge of a bathing platofor. Direct support from transom preferred.

Thanks so far

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[lanason]

In reply to;-
"I cant see any problems with having a dinghy wider than your boat other than possible mooring difficulties when you're in a lock or rafting against a bigger boat"

I think that it a nightmare having a dingy wider than the boat - it will ALWAYS be an issue when mooring. My advice would be DONT go wider than the boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>More Pics of Kelisha</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Why is it an issue? Surely its not a problem if you're mooring to a pontoon.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[lanason]

Three reasons:-
a) In most cases the dingy would "block" the route of the Stern rope from the stern cleat to the cleat on the pontoon.
b) there may be obstacles on the pontoon - such as lifebouys, electrical posts, hose pipe thngys, that often come to the edge of the pantoon.
c) The dingy will obstruct the pontoon esp if it is a narrow finger.

It may well also be the case that it the dingy is that long, it is probably too heavy for the size of boat carrying it.

All IMHO and suject to exceptions that prove the rule of course.

I would expect to hear a damn good reason why the dingy was bigger rather than "cus it is"

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>More Pics of Kelisha</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I had a dinghy once on a boat which overhung one side because the davit slings were offset. Yes, I was always aware of the dinghy when mooring on that side but I dont recall any particular problems. If you can avoid it, obviously it makes sense

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[nwclegg]

My concern about routine davits - apart from the cost - is how rigidly they hold a tender. My boat weighs nearly 5t but still moves a fair amount in a sea and I do not want the tender bouncing up and down. Can tenders be held tightly in such davits?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[lanason]

I actually rest the inside of my tender on the bathing platform and use the davits to pull the outside in - thus forcing it towards the stern. holds really tight - but you need the right configuation of Stern, platform, dingy and davits to make it work.

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>More Pics of Kelisha</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I guess by 'routine' you mean the common cantilevered type davits made by Simpson and Whittall?
Firstly, the davits must be within their load capacities; typically, the total weight of tender, engine and fuel should not exceed the safe working load of ONE davit. So if you had 2 x 100kg rated davits, the max weight that can be carried would be 100kg. Then, you have to ensure that the wire strops are made such that when the davit wires are wound in, the inflatable tubes of the tender are pressed against the davits. Then, with a heavier tender, it is a good idea to fit locator blocks to the inflatable tubes(usually supplied by the davit manufacturers) which stop any sideways movement of the tender. In addition, it is also wise to fit belly straps (again can be sourced from the davit manufacturer) under the tender which are attached at both ends to the davit and act as a further tensioning and security system.
Properly set up, the tender will be held very securely

<hr width=100% size=1>