Dinghy Davit / Outboard Lift Options

[dbsea]

I've been doing extensive research on this forum and online, trying to decide what the best option is for my dinghy / davit situation. I just got a 2016 C-30 CB, and it has the standard 260 RIB on the weaver davits with standoffs and the winch accessory, and I got a new Tohatsu 6hp outboard (57lbs) that's currently resting on the motor mount attached to the swim platform railing. I'm only 41 and 6'4" 220lbs, and feel like I'm in pretty good shape/ strength, but I do worry about lifting the motor on and off and over the swim platform railing in anything but the calmest conditions. So far, I've considered the following options:

1: New Davit System
-Seawise: Manual ($10k), Electric ($15k) (These prices are pretty consistent anywhere in the PNW)
-Weaver: Hoist/Leaver ($5k), Leaver combined with Existing Davits/winch and some mods (~$2000)

Both of these new davit options would necessitate removal of a large port section of the swim platform railing which I'm not really in favor of, nevermind the absurd cost of the Seawise system. My swim step also tends to get a little wet when I'm running at 20kn, which would also be a concern for corrosion of the davit equipment.

2: Cranes
-Garhauer: this is the least expensive option, seems like the best value. Maybe not the prettiest but they are all removable
-St Croix: Hard to find good info on this on the internet - any good?
-Forespar Nova w/ winch: This seems to be the "prettiest" option, but also the most expensive crane I've found so far.

What have other folks who have done this on their Cutwaters or RT's found to be the best option?

 

[dgiles]

How about a Hurley style design? Motor stays on. You lose the swim platform as well, but much cheaper....

 

[dbsea]

How about a Hurley style design? Motor stays on. You lose the swim platform as well, but much cheaper....

I really appreciate the design of the Hurley system, but I also really enjoy the usable space on the swim step, the railing, and the dinghy stays a lot drier when it's vertical (and I don't need to spend more on a canvas cover / tent pole to keep it dry). Thanks for the idea though!

 

[BB marine]

I looked into the Hurley when I purchased my boat. The swim platform sat to low and with the transom box on the platform the tender would have to hang out to far. When I gave the dimensions to Hurley he was afraid that the set up would cause an issue in a following sea and did not advise I install it. Your platform on the C30 is bigger and probably sits out of the water higher.

I ended up using the Weaver system with a Garhauer davit gallery2.php?g2_itemId=48516
I used the davit to lift the motor and then I used it to assist in lifting the boat up. With the use of the davit it was an easy 1 hand pull to lift the outboard 80lbs and the same to pull the boat up to position it in the vertical position on the swim platform.

When I sold the boat I removed the davit and reinstalled the rod holder that I removed. It was not noticeable that the davit install was ever there. I sold the davit to another Cutwater owner that I believe is using it on his boat now.

This photo shows the rod holder location and the location of the davit install
.gallery2.php?g2_itemId=47612&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

 

[dbsea]

Thanks Brian. I am looking at the Garhauer more closely - but I have to wonder why its 50% less expensive than the comparable St Croix or Forespar? Did you compare? I just don't want it collapsing and my $2k outboard going in the drink.

I have the weaver system and the weaver winch option on my boat for pulling the dinghy itself up - so this would only be for the outboard. So far i'm leaning towards the garhauer or st croix crane mounted in the aft port corner, thru bolted to the swim step....

 

[dbsea]

Update, Forespar doesn't make the winch model any longer, so its down to the Garhauer and the St Croix.

 

[BB marine]

Personally I thought the Garhauer was well built. It is rated for 150 lbs. I called to ask if the angle of the pull lifting my tender up was to much. He told me it is rated for 150 lbs with a safety factor of 200lbs. If you mount it properly you won’t loose your motor. I had a 15 hp for a while that I lifted. Over 80lbs . I would not hesitate to use it for a man overboard.

 

[mfreeman_1998]

I use the Garhauet on a Classic R27. It works well. Is a very secure and robust method for moving the OB from the rail to the dinghy.

 

[dbsea]

Thanks all. I am most likely going to order the garhauer after I confirm some measurements tomorrow.

 

[FlyMeAway]

I am looking at the Garhauer more closely - but I have to wonder why its 50% less expensive than the comparable St Croix or Forespar?

Garhauer is well-known among sailors for producing really high-quality gear at reasonable prices. For example, their blocks are often 50-70% the price of Harken's but work just as well for anything that isn't high-intensity racing (if anything, they are built more solidly and are thus heavier than Harken which is why Harken carries the premium). I owned a Catalina 36 for many years and half the deck hardware was made by Garhauer; it is great stuff.

Most of their stuff is built to order in a machine shop in California. If you order direct from them, they can often make modifications or help you with custom mounting hardware at relatively low cost. Certainly less than many other marine vendors. If all you want is stock, Fisheries in Seattle carries them for local pickup though special order -- you won't pay shipping even though it'll take a few weeks to arrive.

My favorite Garhauer story (ex-sailors will appreciate this) is that some inexperienced crew left my Garhauer rigid vang very tight as we fell off in heavy weather. The stainless bolts holding the vang's mounting plate to the aluminum boom ripped right out of the boom leaving somewhat, er, larger holes than the original bolts required. After 10 mins on the phone, Garhauer custom-fabricated a new mounting plate with larger holes (to take larger bolts) for under $50, delivered.

If you ascribe to the "inexpensive, lightweight, well-made, pick 2" paradigm, Garhauer is inexpensive and well made.