December 16, 2000, Dave Bickford wrote:

that

Dave,

I am using a custom Weaver system with a 10'6" Zodiac, 15 HP Evinrude, and a
6 gal. "V" gas tank, on the swim platform with no problems so far. However,
before going with the Weaver system, I investigated many systems. The one
you refer to that holds the dingy in an upright manner is probably the
DinghyTow system out of Toronto.

www.dinghy-tow.com

I had actually placed an order for a custom DinghyTow but had to cancel the
order before it was manufactured. I didn't cancel because I was not happy
with the system, but rather because the
DinghyTow in the upright position would have added another 4-5 feet to the
overall length of the boat (already 38'). Since our marina has a maximum
length that can stick out of the slip, the marina owner said I would have to
leave or move to a longer slip in another area of the marina (higher cost
and parties that are not as much fun!).

So, I went with the Weaver system instead. The only problem I've encountered
is breaking the surface tension of the water when I first pull up on the
Zodiac. The overall weight of the tender is probably close to 225 pounds and
getting it "started" up is better handled with two people. I have done it
many times alone, but it is right at the edge of my physical ability.

The Weaver people were great to work with and very helpful over the phone
answering questions. I have no connection with either DinghyTow or Weaver,
yada, yada, yada....

Cheers,

John Garrison
"Just Keel-ing Time"
Lake Norman, NC

In order to deal with the surface tension (weight) issue, why don't you
just make up a block and tackle arrangement that you can keep
permanently fixed to your stern, and to the Zodiac with a short length
of line and a mountaineering fastner to hook the fall arrangement to
when it's time to raise the trailing edge? That should forever eliminate
the 1:1 ratio and give you whatever mechanical advantage you choose!

John & Kathleen wrote:

--
Bob McLeran                              rmcleran@ix.netcom.com
M/V "Sanderling"                        Docked at Point Patience Marina
Hailing port: Wianno MA                      Solomons, MD
Hampton 35 Trawler

The only problem I've encountered

All the talk about weaver snap davits brings up another question.My
motorsailer has a teak grated swim platform.It is about one foot off the
water.When we are out on rough days the water is forced thru the swim
platform at a pretty good rate. While heading for winter storage i pulled
the edge of my inflatable up on the platform and tied it down as if it were
using weavers system. While in rough water the pressure started loosening
the dinghy. Finally the bow slipped off the platform and then we had a
little mess trying to correct the problem.If i install weavers system will
the waves coming thru the platform  pose a new set of problems or are most
platforms and dinghys able to take the abuse? Any info on the subject would
be great.You might save me some time and money ifs a bad idea.  Thanks
Steve

steve -MS/V beluga wrote:

Steve,

I have a similar situation.  The teak grated swim platform on my 36'
sedan trawler is rather low to the water, especially when all tanked
up.  While underway, water intermittently flow across the corners of the
platform.  I just purchased a new Caribe RIB at the Annapolis Shows from
Viking Boat Supplies and had them install the Weaver system.  They
created teak blocks, sized for the base of the snap davits, to raise the
height of the whole system.  They built the blocks by glueing together
three, 1-in. thicknesses of teak for the stern end of the RIB, and four,
1-in. thicknesses for the bow end of the RIB.  When all put together,
with the blocks, the optional quick release plate, the davit itself, and
the bail and pad on the RIB; we probably gain close to six inches
additional height.

This looks like it will do the trick, but I'll have to wait till next
season to really try it out.  Also, it appears to be a sturdy system and
should hold up to an occasional dousing.  Just one more reason why I
can't wait 'till Spring!  ;-)

Mel Knott
Sandpiper
West Indian 36
Annapolis, MD

Although I'm not using a RIB, my dingy is a DINK, it is fastened to
Sanderling with Weaver davits right at the same level as the swim
platform - the gunnel is perhaps 1 inch above the top of the platform.
My swim platform is at the most a foot above the water. I've never had a
problem, even in a heavy wake, beam or following seas.

teve -MS/V beluga wrote:

most

would

--
Bob McLeran                              rmcleran@ix.netcom.com
M/V "Sanderling"                        Docked at Point Patience Marina
Hailing port: Wianno MA                      Solomons, MD
Hampton 35 Trawler

----- Original Message -----
From: Melvin Knott mknott@bcpl.net
Subject: Re: TWL: Fw: Dinghy Davit Systems

December 17, 2000 Melvin Knott mknott@bcpl.net wrote:

the

Hi Mel,

Like yours, my boat's swim platform, which is fiberglas, is quite low to the
water when I have 400 gals of fuel, and 100 gal of water on  board, then add
250 pounds of tender, engine, swivel mount and davits at the very end of the
"arm".

At the beginning of this past summer, I installed the Weaver davits straight
onto the swim platform. After a few hours of "measure eighteen times, get up
the nerve, drill once", I finally had the system installed and headed out
for a trial run with everything set up. About 100 yards out from the marina,
while traveling at about 7 knots, I turned around on the bridge and saw the
top edge of the Zodiac appearing and re-appearing into view above the level
of the aft cabin! Water was coming up through the swim platform and quickly
filling up the Zodiac and there was water "bubbling up" under the Zodiac
behind the transom. The whole contraption looked like it was going to break
off.

I quickly throttled back to idle speed which stopped the bouncing. However,
the thought of traveling forever at 1 - 1 1/2 knots did not appeal to me, so
back to the drawing board.

Like you, I came up with the solution of raising the entire davit system. I
purchased  a number of white plastic 3/4" cutting boards at Wal-Mart and cut
them into rectangles the size of the davit bases. Longer bolts were
necessary to accommodate the many plastic pieces. After a lot of trial and
error, I settled on 3" rise on the stern and 3 3/4" on the bow davit of the
Zodiac. This eliminated the problem of water getting into the tender and the
stressful (for both me and the boat) bouncing effect while underway.

However, I was concerned about the possible flexing of the swim platform by
having all the weight high off the platform, out on the end of the davits.
So, I dismantled the whole thing, bought even more cutting boards and used
an entire board for each layer. I effectively spread out the load over a
much larger area, both above and below the swim platform, since I also used
a complete board underneath the platform as a plate. I am now much more
confident of the strength of the system and attach points.

Now that I have solved all of the design problems, I will be changing the
system to large blocks of teak, of the same base area and height as the
plastic ones, just because the cutting board system, while effective, sorta
looks like layers of cut-up plastic cutting boards! A laminate of teak
boards the same size will be just as effective and will look much better.

A side benefit to raising the davits is that snapping the Zodiac into the
davits is very easy now, because the bails and davits are the same height
off the water. Before I changed the system, I had to stand or sit right on
the side of the Zodiac to lower that side down to snap into the davits. No
longer necessary.

Cheers,

John Garrison
"Just Keel-ing Time"
Lake Norman, NC