? Dinghy and davits for R25

[D & C M]

I joined Tugnuts about a month ago. I was very envious to read about those of you who were still enjoying their Tugs in November and even discussing AC. Today I felt more included when Winterizing become the main subject. Chris and I bought a 2010 R25 at the end of September, she is still waiting to named. Immediate after purchase she was winterized and put into storage, spring just can’t come soon enough. Next summer we will be mainly cruising the North Channel of Lake Huron which is our home area. Many of the questions that I may have had about the R25 have already been answered by reading the very informative postings on Tugnuts. One item I have not seen discussed yet is about suitable Davits. At present I own a Zodiac 10 foot RIB with a 9.9 Honda, I suspect that I will need to exchange this for a smaller dinghy and motor. I would appreciate suggestion with regard to what others have found suitable for an R25. Thanks Dave

 

[Stella Maris]

Dave and Chris,
Congratulations on your new R-25! I am sure that you will enjoy it as much as all of the rest of us have enjoyed our Ranger Tugs. I do have to question your sanity though...... how can you buy a new boat and cover it up and not play with it for six months????? If I were not insane when I covered her, I would be by the time spring rolled around!

Maureen always reminds me that I boat to live, while most folks live to boat....... I cannot imagine life without some kind of boat.

As for a dinghy and davits for your R-25, some folks use the weaver davits which will tilt your dinghy up on your swim platform. The drawback to this that I see is it will obstruct your view off the stern as well as block your swim platform.

One R-25 installed the Hurley Davit system which allows the dinghy to ride flat but completely covers your swim platform.

When we owned Solitude, our R-25, we towed our dinghy. The difference being though is we were on inland waters (lakes). Not that they could not get rough, but we had far fewer days of rough water than you do on areas such as Puget Sound.

On occasion we even towed our 13 foot Boston Whaler behind Solitude. Again, on an inland body of water this is fairly safe. If you should choose to tow, be sure that your motor is firmly secured in the event of a capsize of the dinghy. I am sure you are aware but, you also need to be sure that the dinghy is pulled up tight before backing. That is the nice thing about inflatables though. They are their own fenders! Bring them along side and secure them.

I am sure others will also offer their advice. Good luck! Have fun with your new toy!

 

[Lobo]

Dave:

Congratulations on your new boat!

I have an R-25 in Victoria BC with a 7.5' Livingstone Dingy on Weaver Davits. Although I have the "stand-offs" I usually have the dingy fall forward and lay on the aft hand rails. This gives me better rearward visibility and I find less abuse of the dingy from turbulence due to the slope. I have a pair of short lines on the dingy which tie onto a pair of cleats on each side so the wind and waves can't snatch it back. I think the maximum motor for the 7.5' is only around 3 hp -- I don't have a motor. I'm forever taking the dingy off and back on and find the system very easy to live with.

Dave
"Lobo"

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

We like the weaver davits. They are very easy. I like how fast I can have the tender in the water when needed. It is the same when we are ready to go. We have it up in no time. It rides very well in rough seas. We traveled 20 miles through 10' waves at 11 seconds a few weeks ago. The tender road very stable. The Ranger tug was amazing also as she just cut her path right through. We were having a ball! Life is good on a Ranger tug

 

[Zundels]

We are using our R25 in the Gulf of Alaska, off Kodiak Island. With many hours of fishing we have chosen not to hang the dingy off the stern as will be in the way while fishing. On our swim deck, we have a custom motor mount for a 9.9 kicker bolted with no holes needing to drilled (expert design from previous owner Joel) and room for a large chest for good sized halibut and salmon. At this time we have done the physical task of tossing the raft up on top of cabin with the bow fit snuggly around the tug stack and aft of the raft on the stainless steel sport rack bars. This requires about three strong people to lift the dingy

Does anyone know of any other way to rig the Tug so we can use leverage to get a ten foot dingy lifted up on top? Seems that with the Bimini canvas top installed we need to lift the dingy from the side.

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

A little birdie told me that their may be someone that will be reveling some pics of a neat davit system that would do what you are looking for. I think he is doing it on a R-29.
Keep posted for the next few weeks and lets see what happens. This is all I am at liberty to say at this time. 😎

 

[Zundels]

We'll be waiting anxiously for the picts and design details... thanks.

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

We'll be waiting anxiously for the picts and design details... thanks.

Be patient. I can't speak for my friend but I am sure it will be in the next week or two. That is my best guess for now.

 

[denny]

I USED C DAVITS for my 8' inflatable on both my R-25 and later on my R-29 and they worked great. I still have them and I would sell them for $50. If you are interest in learning more about them please email me at dlmadson@q.com. I can send you pictures. I do not know how to put pictures on this site. Denny

 

[JerryE]

I don't have much patience... Could the mystery davit system Stuart is talking about be the Pacer prototype that the factory has already installed on Shared Dream which is pictured in their photo album: gallery2.php?g2_itemId=24322 Nellie Too also has a Pacer Lift installed: gallery2.php?g2_itemId=22017 I don't see these fitting on an R25, but they look pretty neat on an R29.

 

[Nellie Too]

Hi Jerry,
We put a different dingy system on our boat which has worked very well for us. It utilizes nylon straps to mount the inflatable on the transom. We find it a very affordable system (about $100.00) and it is very easy to launch and retrieve, about 30 seconds each way. We have put pictures in our picture file and I have been working to improve it making small adjustments to the straps. I will soon be posting new photos with some of the changes. It has withstood 35kn winds without a hitch and I have a few tug owners interested.
The pacer launch we have on our boat is the prototype, a more up-to-date unit is on the Shared Dream, they lift an inflatable with a outboard attached and were very happy with the unit. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Bob

 

[colleysails]

I selected the Achilles HB-240LX rigid inflatable and the Weaver Davits for my R-25 and have been quite pleased with both choices.

The Achilles was selected because of its length (7'10" which keeps it inside the beam of the R-25), 16"tube diameter (which ensures stability, tho it is a bit beamy at 5'), relatively light weight (86 lbs), capacity (900 lbs) and quality (a larger version of the LX series recieved the Practical Sailor '09 Gear of the 'Year award). I also bought a 2hp Honda, but found that the rigid inlatable rows easily. On a recent two-week cruise it was more than adequate for two adults and my 120 lb Pyrenees.

While orginally a bit skeptical of the Weaver Davit system, I saw a set being installed on a boat during a visit to the Ranger factory and was quite impressed with their quality. They work great and the standoff brackets can attach directly to two of the lifting points on the Achilles.

 

[Nellie Too]

Jerry,
One thing I forgot to mention was the Pacer lift was originally designed for the R-25 (our first Ranger) but was modified to fit the R-29 when we bought it.
Bob

 

[Lobo]

I was looking at the current issue of NW Pacific Yachting and see a R25 for sale. www.rangertug25patriot.com. Several photos of which #15 is their inflatable dingy.

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

The davit system I am talking about is not the Pacer. The one I am talking about is, in my opinion, better thought out, easy to use, and much better looking. In fact it is so good looking, it looks like it should be part of the boat, as it adds so much to the over all appeal of the boat.

Just be a little more patience. I have seen this system first hand and all I can say is wow! My best guess is it will be reviled soon.

Happy New Year to all!

 

[JerryE]

Now I'm really curious!!! Unless its a pair of 12 foot long 2x4's used to slide the dinghy up on the roof rack...

Jerry

 

[JerryE]

You gotta see this!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKCzJpgRta0[/youtube]
Cost unknown, but assumed astronomical!

Jerry

 

[Stella Maris]

If my memory serves me correctly, these were in the neighborhood of 12k to 15k. We saw them at the Seattle Boat Show last year.

Hey, its just money.......... don't want to pass away and leave it to your family...... might as well spend it while you have the chance!

 

[JerryE]

Dave,

Your thoughts about spending money while you can (rather than saving it till you're too old to enjoy it) were on my mind early this morning when I learned you were putting Karma on the market. I even looked through your photo album admiring the innovations. Central vacuum! I've got to enjoy my new (left-over) R25 that was just delivered to her berth on the St. John's River, before moving up to an R29. But, Karma has to be one of the best outfitted R29s ever made and would tempt anyone. Of course, Solitude was fantastic as well and helped convince me to go for the R25.

I have to tell you I'll miss your adventures, boat improvements and general advice over the last 865 posts you've written–I've read them all. My guess is that you (along with captd and a few others) got many of us into Rangers in the first place, admiring the fun you've had through all the posts on this forum. I'll quit here, cause I'm far astray of the subject of this thread (re: davits). Enjoy Denver and the next phase, and maybe you'll come back in a Cutwater and tell us how to renovate that!

J

 

[Zundels]

Stuart,

Any updates on a way to lift and lower a dinghy or kayaks? Still looking for a solution on our R-25.

Don

Re: ? Dinghy and davits for R25
by Spirit of Gratitude on Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:36 am

The davit system I am talking about is not the Pacer. The one I am talking about is, in my opinion, better thought out, easy to use, and much better looking. In fact it is so good looking, it looks like it should be part of the boat, as it adds so much to the over all appeal of the boat.

Just be a little more patience. I have seen this system first hand and all I can say is wow! My best guess is it will be reviled soon.

Happy New Year to all!