Dinghy Davit Lift System

[coffeemaker]

Looking for any experience with hard bottom dinghy davit lift systems to place on bow of '86 36 Hatt Sedan cruiser.

 

[skrmetta90]

I'm actually about to take mine off. I have a 10 or 11 foot inflatable side/hard bottom. We're looking for about a 17 foot center console to use as a runner. Won't be able to carry it, but it will be nice to fish out of. Do you have installation questions? I can give you the opposite once i'm done, which may be just as useful!

 

[coffeemaker]

Thanks for getting back to me. At this point don't know much about the davit systems. The dinghy and then motor are getting a bit too much for me to lift up on the boat. Was looking for a lift system that would accommodate the entire package. At this point am unsure of who manufactures the lift systems.

 

[REBrueckner]

Bow deck lifts, in general, will cost as much as the inflatables and outboard. I briefly looked into them for my 48 ft YF, nearly fainted at the prices, and later opted for a stern type mast and boom...not as fancy but 1/10 the price....unfortunately a mast and boom style doesnt look proper on the bow of many boats. Likely stern davits are the most economical but may stick out and cause additional slip charges.

Marquipt is one quality brand of deck crane. The really expensive lifts are the hydraulic stern lifts...which essentially raise and lower a swim platform type affair with dinghy in blocking. Lots of modern express cruisers seem to be so equipped.

 

[Beckytek]

I want to do the same thing with my dinghy. The only place for me is on the bow of my 40' DC. I saw a simple rotating crane for one boat buck at the Annapolis boat show. It's foot mounted on the deck beneath the bow rail and was held to the rail with a bracket. It was all made from stainless tubing with 2, 2 pulley blocks. Very simple operation, just lift with the rope and tie off to a cleat on the back of the unit. Rotate the boat over the side. When not in use you can lift it out of it's brackets and store away. My dinghy only weighs 135 lbs and this unit is good for 200. I don't think it would work with a hard bottom, (too heavy) maybe. If your handy you could even make something like this only beefier. You could mount a trailer winch on it and even electrify it. The unit I saw was made by Atkins & Hoyle, www.atkinshoyle.com Ron

 

[REBrueckner]

I should have mentioned several alternatives...hydraulic lifts may be the penultimate, but not likely required unless you have an awful big tender....and other hydraulic uses aboard....an electric winch is most common....consider dc vs ac....nothing wrong with using a hand trailer winch...that's what I do as I did NOT want to rely on any electric power...

Also, in general, the least expensive winches/lifts are those made for docks and pilings....often galvanized,for example, rather than stainless/powdercoated/ or whatever....sounds like that's what becky posted for his lightweight application....heavy units go thru the deck for support below on a bulkhead