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Re: Carrying a dinghy

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:17 am
by GeoffSchultz
I'll just remind people that there's a huge difference between sailing the boat in relatively benign conditions and when the spray is hitting the fan. Then the fixtures that you thought were sufficient start bending and twisting all over the place. If you look at the picture of the davits labeled "These were insufficient" in my post above, you can see that they have a bend in them. They're Atkins & Hoyle model 1200 davits which are rated for 200 lbs for the pair & the dinghy which I was carrying weighed 123 lbs.

I then went to their model 2000 davits, which are rated at 350 lbs for the pair and added a brace to help absorb the shock load when you're pounding. You'll also note the cross bracing cables with turn buckles which hold the dinghy firmly in position to keep it from moving side to side.

Don't underestimate the forces that get applied to the dingy in rough conditions. If you can guarantee the conditions that you'll be moving in, then light weight options may work for you. I know that I can't do that.

-- Geoff

Re: Carrying a dinghy

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:08 am
by sailmon
Thanks All,
Great input. We'll let you know where we come out.
Bob

Re: Carrying a dinghy

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 1:34 am
by daletournier
Hi all, I don't tow the dinghy often. I've been caught out a couple of times by squalls and it was one more thing I had to worry about. The dinghy tow system seems awfully expensive. I agree with Geoff regarding not underestimating nature. Ive seen several davit systems not deal well with adverse weather.
Cheers Dale.

Re: Carrying a dinghy

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 10:53 am
by mbb05055
Hi
We have Freedom 30 Corydora in Belfast Maine. We installed davits but found that our Walker Bay 10 is really too heavy for them. The davits are fine and raise the dingy very high but the boat squats low in the stern because of the weight so far to the stern . The dinghy weighs 130 lbs or slightly more with minor gear on board, tho' no outboard. We still use it on light air days even if we do look funny. I notice Simplify"s modified use of davit; maybe we will try that next. Looks quite seaworthy. I am also interested that Dinghy Tow is working well for people. Glad you started this discussion, it's a very useful topic.

Mary

Re: Carrying a dinghy

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 5:31 pm
by sailmon
Thanks Mary. I did have the Davron Dinghy Tow on our 1987 Freedom 30. Although it is principally designed for an inflatable, we used it with a 9' Boston Whaler Squall. It worked very well in all kinds of conditions, including a 30 minute Lake Erie squall with winds of 75 miles per hour and short period waves 12 to 16 feet.