I’m thinking about adding Davits to my 30U. I would love to see some photos of installations and suggestions on brands. Especially detailed photos of where the mounting hardware is located.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
biankablog.blogspot.com
When any of you folks respond to Mike, could you include any advice you might have about how to minimize the risk of mainsheet snagging?
That’s one of the things holding me back from considering davits myself.
Thanks,
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C, #143
Mainsheet fouling
There is no easy solution other than having a competent crew with their wits about them to gather in the mainsheet and cast it out on the other side as the wishboom crosses over. It is possible to do it single handed, but one has to concentrate. The alternative recommended by Botts is to tack her round rather than gybe. If you must gybe and have sea room, then it is a good idea to luff up to minimize slamming as the gybe is nearing completion. ( See Hudson River Gybe). I keep my taffrail completely clear to minimize fouling by gear. Even then, the mainsheet can snag on the taffrail, the top or bottom of the ladder and sometimes the exhaust.
Cheers,
John Newell
Mascouche 26C1
Toronto
You might want to check out Dingy Tow. I have used on now for several years and the profile aft is level with the rail.
We use a line called “regatta braid” for the mainsheet. It seems to be softer and lighter and not as stiff as double braided lines. You have to keep an eye on as 70 odd feet have a mind of its own, but it does seem less inclined to snare objects as the previous sheet.
We rarely gybe in more than 10 knots. The boats tacks easily so that is the plan. If we have a crew to mind the sheet we are a bit braver.
Although I do appreciate everyone’s suggestions about tacking procedures, Mike’s original question was about DAVITS and mine was about the design of candidate davits. (I was wondering, for example, if anyone had tried building a bimini or arch that incorporated davits and moved the mainsheet block up higher.)
Any suggestions on the davits topic? I didn’t mean to turn Mike’s topic into a thread on tacking and gybing, and apologize for having introduced a red herring.
Thanks,
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C, #143
Had a Dinghy Tow on our 30C for ten years and now have davits on our 33. Not even close in our opinion, Dinghy Tow wins. That included a trip from Connecticut to the Bahamas. Stable, easy, compact and strong. If ever our boat bucks are overflowing we”ll replace the davits.
Bob Hindle
Jenny
1990 33 #60
Haddam Neck CT
My previous Nonsuch 30 came to me with davits which held a RIB and outboard motor as well as two 75 watt solar panels. Never had a main sheet problem tho I did on a couple of occasions departing a slip bow first catch a piling with the bow or stern of the hanging RIB when I turned too soon. I’ll try to find more detailed pix of the mounting arrangement.
Ed Strazzini
S/V PELICAN, N33 #36
Deltaville, VA
I’m not interested in a Dingy Tow setup.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
biankablog.blogspot.com
My previous Nonsuch 30 came to me with davits which held a RIB and outboard motor as well as two 75 watt solar panels. Never had a main sheet problem tho I did on a couple of occasions departing a slip bow first catch a piling with the bow or stern of the hanging RIB when I turned too soon. I’ll try to find more detailed pix of the mounting arrangement.
Ed Strazzini
S/V PELICAN, N33 #36
Deltaville, VA
I’m about to ditch my dinghy tow- not really for any practical reasons, though eventually getting down onto those bars will become more difficult with age, but hey, that’s a ways off! I just think it makes the boat look like a hermit crab. We have a 26 and a small inflatable, so hopefully can keep the davits low. Would love to see other installations.
Here’s what I’m considering, if I can figure out a mount.
https://davit.com/removabl.html
or
https://edsonmarine.com/products/boating-accessories/davits/
Brian & Susan Berdan
“Blue September” 1995 260
Bainbridge Island, Wash.
I’ve often thought about adding a Dinghy Tow, but I have a swim platform in place that the Dinghy Tow people tell me will interfere – has anyone managed to solve this problem?
Bill Baxter
Persistence
NS30 #507
Penetang, ON
Our boat came with Weaver Davits, since we do not have a dinghy we have put them into storage, but they do seem like a good alternative.
They told me that too when I was looking at that option several years ago. I did a mock up of a dinghy tow install using its dimensions and those of our transom and swim platform and I really could not see why it would not work with the platform on our 30. Eventually, I decided not too pursue it but have wished on occasion I had.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Traverse City / Suttons Bay, MI
The arms mount the stern of the boat and need to be more or less parallel to the attachment point of the dingy in question. For a platform work on my boat, the platform would need to be no higher than about 4 inches above the water line. If you can get the clearance it should work.
Attached an older photo of Minou when she was called Freestyle. The davits are through bolted at the bottom and attached to the rail with a ring
Jim thank you for the davit photo. I was interested in your Bimini is it permanently in place or does it not sure of right qword does it collapse to allow sun in. I am going to have a bimini made this winter so would be interested if any others have photo’s.
Lloyd Robbins
Isadora NS30
Jim
Thanks for posting the photo. It’s hard to tell are the davits bolted trough the wood strip at the stern of your Nonsuch?
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Hi Lloyd
it is a permanent fixture with the support struts bolted through the coaming. I believe the top is made of Starboard which allows it to be curved. It came with the boat and I don’t know who did the work. At times it gets in the way such as when hoisting sail and it makes it slightly difficult to disembark at a dock. But as protection from wind and sun it’s great. I hope to use it in the future as a platform for mounting solar panels. I’ll try to track down some photos.
Hi Mike
the boat is not nearby to check but my recollection is that the bottom supports are bolted through the FRP with a backing plate inside. A lower parallel “leg” of the support arm terminates on the main post which is then bolted to the boat. My dinghy is a walker bay so weighs only 72 lbs. Having said that the davits ‘seem’ as if they could support a heavier load, like an inflatable. You could probably get a pretty good product from the Stainless Steel company in Orillia (or is it Barrie), N of Toronto
$0.02 for anyone thinking of putting in davits…
Following a link from Brian Berdan’s post a bit earlier in this thread, there’s some excellent guidance on backing plates and reinforcements for installing davits at the St. Croix Marine Products website. Depending on what installation somone’s considering, the guidance can be found by starting at https://davit.com/install_instructions.html
I don’t have davits and am not endorsing a product, but their installation advice struck me as very sensible, and worth reviewing for anyone considering any product.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C, #143