Dinghy Hoist

[Bob Bradley]

I've been considering mounting a dinghy lift on my bow. I'd like to know what you are using and your likes an dislikes. I prefer a low profile unit. Thoughts on 12V vs 120? I'm starting with zero experience in this arena. I've been looking at the Atkins and Hoyle cranes. Nice website, but who knows their quality? They offer a 12v model with 800# capacity.

https://www.atkinshoyle.com/products/dinghy-cranes-and-hoists/8000t-low-profile-rotating-crane.html

 

[Pascal]

Never heard of them. Surprised a stainless steel cable is an option, I can’t imagine using galvanized cable in a marine environment. Modern line like Dyneema is become common on davits these days, I had one converted a few years ago

12 volt is better as you don’t have to rely on the gen to retrieve the dinghy.

 

[Scarlett]

Atkinson and Hoyle have been around for longer than any of us. They made some of the best hatches for years. Like Pascal said 12 volt is great unless you have a big inverter. Ours is 120 and operates fine on our inverter. Advantage to 129 volt is replacement motors are cheap.

 

[Pascal]

There are alternative to the expensive motors. When the Golo winch on my davit failed I bought a cheap garage hoist… don’t laugh: It works perfectly! I replaced the galvanized cable with SS though.

 

[JCG-PR]

When we bought our boat, it had a davit, but with no winch motor. Just like Pascal, we adapted a 120V garage winch to our davit and it has been working fine. We also replaced the cable with spectra or similar rope.

JCG

 

[metama]

Worst part of the garage lift is the metal line!
Can't bring myself to spend the time to strip and re-line it. I sure I will change my mind the first time I get a wire in my hand.

 

[Pascal]

Changing the cable was actually pretty easy. The harder part was getting an aluminum enclosure built to house the winch. And it cost more than the winch itself

 

[Bob Bradley]

Looks a little like a mailbox

 

[Pascal]

Looks a little like a mailbox

Yes it does. But it works

 

[Scarlett]

My wife made a nice tight fitting canvas cover for ours, works great.

 

[metama]

I swapped out the ss lines 2 times. Got my hands full before I replace this one.
And..... Nice mail box. Im having the kids sew a cover

 

[Bob Bradley]

So, are Marquipt and Atkins&Hoyle pretty much the only players out there?

 

[whoover]

There is Steel Head, looks like a nice product and comparable to marquip on price. There is another that is a guys proper name that I can't remember that is about half the price. I think someone on one of the Hatteras Facebook groups installed one. Also wondering about sailor man in Lauderdale. They may have a good takeoff or trade in.

Walt Hoover

 

[Bob Bradley]

Someone on tht mentioned nautical structures. Anyone familiar with them?

 

[Pascal]

I don’t think nautical structure makes any basic davits anymore, only large fully hydraulic units.

Their customer service is pretty bad. I ve had their davits and a swim platform on a couple of boats i ve run and getting parts or service was always hard. Even just getting a phone call or email relies to was a mission.

 

[Phasma2128]

I know it’s not what you requested but I went through the same thing. I ended up buying and installing a Dinghy Butler

https://www.thedinghybutler.com/