E-Mail me if you have any questions at (alwsail@aol.com)
Dinghy Davits Cheap Version
Stern inflatable C Hooks
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| Pic #1 |
Pic#2 mounted, bottom bars not shown |
Pic #3 Installed |
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Sorry about the blue tarp ...but it is WINTER |
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| Pic#4 |
Pic#5 cut outs for bars |
Click
on any picture to enlarge it
Dinghy Davits Cheap Version
Great listening to all these ideas on Davits. After seeing the Edson Stern inflatable C Hooks on a friends boat and liking the idea, I checked out the $400 price and decided that there had to be a cheaper way.
For the past two sailing seasons I have used a $15 system that has worked fine.
The system consists of two home made mahagony mounting brackets that attach to the rear rails. Attached to these are two "C’ hooks. These were made from,…..before you start laughing view pics above and see how nice they look……wall planter ($7.50 ea) brackets, turned upside down. With the $ I saved, I may be able to get my autopilot this year. The whole system is easily removable from the rails when not in use. The brackets are wrapped in rope to protect against any abrasion on the inflatable dinghy.
At the dock the dinghy is hung on the brackets and lashed to the boat so it does not blow away. Just like the using the Edson Stern inflatable C Hooks.
Before leaving the dock, I attach a bridle (which I keep attached to the inflatable) around the dinghys lowerside to the extra spinaker halyard. Yes the halyard wraps around the mast but only adds small amount of friction as it goes to the rear of the boat. Wrap free end of this halyard around a winch and crank away…..the dinghys lower tube rises up as the upper tube rotates on the planter brackets. I crank away until the dinghy is completely level and by the way it is now upside down. It looks like it is hanging on davits but upside down. Another words it looks normal not mickey mouse. I even have a cover on it while not in use. If I had 10’ arms the cover would go on easily, but…
As someone else explained, if it was left in the down position, then it would contact the water when the boat heals (I have forgotten and sailed in light winds this way) or those damn powerboats go by.
When I return to the slip, (pull in nose first) I release the halyard slowly and watch the dinghy swivel on the brackets back to the flat on the transom position. Now I am not paying for that extra 4 feet and the dinghy is high and dry.
Sorry I don’t have an install pic, but you should get the idea by see the pics on my home page.
