Using davits to store tender .... options please

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Alskade

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Afternoon all :)

We have a westerly chieftain (that’s the one with the aft cabin) ... 28 footer.

My question is where to store a tender, both at sea and at mooring? I was eyeing up some beautiful davits this weekend and wondered wether this might be an option because of the under utilised space at the stern.... the boat has a very flat back - if that makes sense?

Any ideas or photos would be appreciated :encouragement:
 
When we are onboard we store our dinghy plus outboard on the davits the right way up but with the bung out.

When we leave the boat in the marina and return to the UK, I store the dinghy upside down on the davits with a little air released. This stops the tubes getting too much sunlight and ensures that it cannot possibly take on rain water. It also keeps the inside clean.

Richard
 
Does the addition of the weight aft have a detrimental effect on the boat trim?

I've been considering this too, and despite seeing every man and his dog with a set hanging off the back, can't quite rationalise the weight transfer.
 
SiteSurfer said:
Does the addition of the weight aft have a detrimental effect on the boat trim?

I've been considering this too, and despite seeing every man and his dog with a set hanging off the back, can't quite rationalise the weight transfer.
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A typical inflatable doesn't weigh much, so hanging it off the back probably wouldn't upset the trim any more than someone standing on the aft deck.
 
pvb said:
A typical inflatable doesn't weigh much, so hanging it off the back probably wouldn't upset the trim any more than someone standing on the aft deck.
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I was thinking plus outboard, but given that sits on the pushpit anyway - durrr.... back to my box.
 
SiteSurfer said:
I was thinking plus outboard, but given that sits on the pushpit anyway - durrr.... back to my box.
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Plus the davits. An average small flubber might weigh 50lbs and I imagine the davits somewhat the same, and we'll discount the outboard. A sturdy boat like a Westerly will be OK, but the dinghy will surely have some effect with all that weight so far aft, not to mention the windage. It would significantly hamper one's efforts to sail to windward, should the owner feel inclined to try it.
 
johnalison said:
Plus the davits. An average small flubber might weigh 50lbs and I imagine the davits somewhat the same, and we'll discount the outboard. A sturdy boat like a Westerly will be OK, but the dinghy will surely have some effect with all that weight so far aft, not to mention the windage. It would significantly hamper one's efforts to sail to windward, should the owner feel inclined to try it.
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Tricky isn’t it. I agree that being a westerly the boat is pretty robust and could take the weight well, but the effect on the sail might not suit......
 
johnalison said:
Plus the davits. An average small flubber might weigh 50lbs and I imagine the davits somewhat the same, and we'll discount the outboard. A sturdy boat like a Westerly will be OK, but the dinghy will surely have some effect with all that weight so far aft, not to mention the windage. It would significantly hamper one's efforts to sail to windward, should the owner feel inclined to try it.
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The windage and weight might be proportionally more for the OP’s relatively small boat (in davits terms), but certainly for our (spritely) boat the dinghy on davits has no noticeable impact on windward performance. Massively better than towing a dinghy - and deflating to stow not a practical option for many cruising waters (I launched and used the dinghy 5 times in one day, in different locations, last week). For serious cruising using anchor rather than pontoons davits are a big benefit.
 
Affects trim dependant on your boat and the weight of the dinghy etc. For playing about locally i don,t care too much but if travelling distance i remove the extra weight of the engine onto the pushpit. Does change boat trim much but reduces load on the davits.
 
It's not just the trim but also the 'weight in the ends effect' which makes the boat slow through choppy water.
Is the transom quite narrow on the OP's boat? Will the tender stick out either side catching waves unless it's quite high up?
If it's too high up, it may restrict vision of overtaking craft etc. But this may not be the case as the OP's boat is centre cockpit?
Unfortunately, a tender on davits only usually looks right on boats bigger than I can afford!
 
lw395 said:
It's not just the trim but also the 'weight in the ends effect' which makes the boat slow through choppy water.
Is the transom quite narrow on the OP's boat? Will the tender stick out either side catching waves unless it's quite high up?
If it's too high up, it may restrict vision of overtaking craft etc. But this may not be the case as the OP's boat is centre cockpit?
Unfortunately, a tender on davits only usually looks right on boats bigger than I can afford!
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Evening :-) The transom is quite wide really, but as yet not sure if there will be much sticking out....I need to do some measurements. I'm not too fussed about the restricted vision as I don't sail alone....and, lastly....I'm not too fussed if 'it doesn't look la-dee-dah....it's for practically reasons and as I'm not looking at the back of the boat (generally) I'm not over fussed at what it looks like :rolleyes:
 
Alskade said:
I've got to say though....they're mighty costly though aren't they!
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Particularly if you want removable davits to avoid extra marina costs and risk of damage from collision.
Plus most small yachts are not built with a davit option in mind, the transom/aft deck may need some reinforcement to avoid stress crazing of the GRP or worse.
 
We do almost as Richard does, post 2. Except ours is a 10'6" Foldabote. If we are in sheltered water the o/b stays on - if at sea the o/b comes off and is stored closer to amidships. We also take the bung out.

Our davits are custom made fibreglass but bolted to the transom of the bridge deck with reinforcing in the relevant bridge deck locker. We raise the dinghy using the mainsheet winch.

We also, now, carry a kayak which sits on top of the davits (dinghy slung beneath, kayak on top). it is simply lifted and lashed.

The combined weight of dinghy and kayak must be about 45kg - much less than the weight of, most, all adults. And its a 2hp 2 stroke o/b.

I don't know the yacht well enough, nor the size of the dinghy - but with the o/b off - could you store the dinghy flat on the transom, simply sitting on a, folding, step and lashed.

Jonathan
 
I've got the Plastimo removable davits on mine, and they're pretty strong, easy to fit, and makes life with the dinghy so much easier. We leave the engine on, and just pull the whole lot up and tie the dinghy side handle to the davit to stop it swaying from side to side. Worth every penny.

We have a RIB, but if you have a flubber, these ones will be perfectly sufficient:- https://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-stainless-steel-davits.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Jza4-3K4wIVUOJ3Ch3XCAUSEAQYASABEgJJ1fD_BwE

I have these ones:- https://www.tcschandlery.co.uk/plastimo-pivoting-davits-up-to-100-kg-pair-40-mm-tube/p8233?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Jza4-3K4wIVUOJ3Ch3XCAUSEAQYBCABEgI9bvD_BwE
 
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