Dinghy and Davits

Veg

Veg

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The other thread going about towing a RIB got me thinking again about the fact that I've wanted a dinghy for a while, but never figured out how viable it'd be to mount one on davits on my swim platform. I guess the first thing is I don't know much about dinghys. Mostly I'd use it to zip around when anchored, just for fun, or to make a quick trip to shore, maybe drop off or pick a passenger (or two?). So ideas are welcome on that...

Then, assuming the smallest viable 'tender' dinghy (9'?) that could carry 3 people, which I believe are somewhere between 4'-6" and 5'-0" wide, has anyone figured out a good way to mount those on the platform of a 30' boat? I was looking at Hurley Davits online but I'm not sure how I'd mount those on my swim platform (all slotted, the typ. Tiara Open platform).

Or do I "need a bigger boat"?!
 
Look at Weaver davits, very popular for smaller solutions.
 
I just went on their web site, and the great thing about those is you pivot the dinghy up from the back of the platform, so you keep your swim platform space (versus the ones I was looking at which pull the dinghy up half on the platform right side up). But the problem might be the nav light on the stern, with the dinghy flipped up like that it'll surely get blocked.
 
Weaver davits work well on smaller boats but you don't want the dinghy wider than the boat, else it will be getting blasted with the side spray and could be a problem when docking (hit a cleat and it goes "poof"). You don't mention a motor but Weaver also has the Weaver Leaver so the outboard can be left on the dink. Otherwise you will need a storage place while underway...perhaps a bracket mounted somewhere in the cockpit.

Regarding the stern light that would be blocked, it is legal to have your all around anchor light lit along with the regular running light as long as the stern light is blocked, if you have separate switches for them or care to rewire to accomplish same.
 
I used Weaver Davits, and I cannot recommend them unless you get the style that slide out when they are not being used. I had a surveyor unload on me for several minutes because mine were not removable. Something about people getting hung up by their ribs.
Other than that, they work great if the dink is light enough to haul up and you have a spot for the outboard which has to be light enough to move around easily and stow securely. We had our Rogue with a 9.9 2 stroke on our 1990 25 foot Sea Ray Sundancer and it was ok.

The thing about the dink is this. You'll get one that moves about ok and does the job. It may or may not plane well with 2 or 3 up. The Rogue was our first dink and was a fold up. With 2 it planed and we could get about pretty good with it. More than that it turned into a dog and it didn't take much. Once people start zipping by, you'll wonder about your predicament.

Some two strokes smoke no matter what and if the dink cannot get out of its own way you will learn to inhale the exhaust in many conditions that you cannot plane in. Think 4 stroke at the expense of the weight to haul it off the dink and stow it.

But yes. Dinks are great. You can putt around an anchorage or mooring field and hook up with folks. Go to dinner ashore, or go into town to shop if you are on a mooring. Even if you are in a marina they are great to take around into the skinny water.

Don't leave home without one. If you can get a hard bottom that fits your transom and budget it is the only way to go.
 
Many type mounts require the dingy to be inflated but inflatables loose air so it is a constant battle.
How often you will use it and how far you need to go are important questions. For short trips you don't need to plane and for infrequent use something you assemble or inflate is OK. I once had an inflatable in a duffle bag. It was a POUTA but it was out of the way and it worked.
I've always been intrigued by those fold bosts but never got to try one.
 
Many type mounts require the dingy to be inflated but inflatables loose air so it is a constant battle.
How often you will use it and how far you need to go are important questions. For short trips you don't need to plane and for infrequent use something you assemble or inflate is OK. I once had an inflatable in a duffle bag. It was a PITA but it was out of the way and it worked.
I've always been intrigued by those fold bosts but never got to try one.
 
My last boat was a 29' express; we had the snap Davies which we used with a 8'6" merc. Inflatable. I made a "t" out of 3/4" PVC, with the bottom of the attached at the platform/trunk joint. Fastened it using rail hardware. The t supported the raft, and I tied the raft using s/s loops on either side of the t fastening point. Secure & could step over if easily.
 
My 27' express has a 8.5" beam and I carry a 9.5' RIB using Weaver davits. It works very well for me. I have minimal issues with overhang on either side and can run at speed without catching a bunch of air on the sides. I also have a quick release St. Croix motor mount on swim platform. The dingy hides the motor when tipped up.

I previously had a plywood floor inflatable that was easy to tip up; the new RIB has a different weight distribution that makes it impossible to tip up without tremendous effort. To solve this I use a 4:1 block and tackle assembly I pickup on Amazon for $20. One end goes to a lift point on the dingy and one to an Attwood Neat Cleat on the transom. It comes up nicely with a little effort. The nice thing is that I can leave the dingy vertical (held by the rope) or tip it forward against the transom.

If you go with the Weaver system I HIGHLY recommend getting the quick release plates as others have said. Without the dingy attached they are just waiting for someone to smash a toe or trip on them. With the quick release plates they remove very fast, and I can use my swim platform with no issues. I've had them for 2 years and never had anyone catch a toe on the release plates.
 
We have used a Mercury 280 Air Deck for 7 years. first on a 26 Regal and now on the current boat. I used the Weaver davits for both boats. I had a 6 HP 4 stroke motor but switched it out for an 8HP Yamaha 2 stroke for the same weight.

My inflatable stays on the swim platform from June to September and I need to add very little air to it throughout the season, Having the dinghy is great and the air deck is light enough that I can lift it off the platform and drop it in the water at the marina without a lot of trouble.
 
We have used a Mercury 280 Air Deck for 7 years. first on a 26 Regal and now on the current boat. I used the Weaver davits for both boats. I had a 6 HP 4 stroke motor but switched it out for an 8HP Yamaha 2 stroke for the same weight.

My inflatable stays on the swim platform from June to September and I need to add very little air to it throughout the season, Having the dinghy is great and the air deck is light enough that I can lift it off the platform and drop it in the water at the marina without a lot of trouble.
 
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