Installation of weaver Davits

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PORT-A-GEE
I purchased the weaver parts used on a 26 / 28 Cutwater for my RIB direct from Weaver. The RIB is the same size as the Ranger / Cutwater 17" tubes . Is there a specification or a measurement I can use to mount the brackets in the same location on the swim platform has the Factory? Also the location the location of brackets for stand-off?
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE
 
Hi Brian,

I don't have the specs for the C26 but would suggest you offset the dinghy slightly to starboard (assuming the weaver clips are mounted on the port side of the dink. There are a couple reasons for this. First, the tubes at the dinghy stern extend out low to the water while the water coming off the stern of the boat (when it is squatting at higher speeds) curves in and can hit the dinghy tube. The bow of the dinghy doesn't have this problem as it is well off the water. Second, the stern of the dinghy is heavier than the bow. Shifting the weight to the starboard balances it out a bit. Two inches offset is all would recommend as you don't want to create docking problems for a starboard tie. Two inches makes a huge difference when it comes to water spray and your fenders will space you off the dock such that this will not cause docking issues.

For some reason our factory mounted dinghy is offset about 1.5 inches to port. I have found another solution to deal with the water spray and weight balance but if I were mounting it from scratch I would move it starboard a bit.

Curt
 
Thanks Curt,
I measured it, Centered it, then offset 2" to the Starboard. I am reverencing a couple pictures on Cutwater's Web site with the RIB set up on the stern. I'm gluing pads tonight. Mounting brackets tomorrow. Thanks for the tip to off set.
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE
 
Good luck! 😎
 
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I finished the install of the weaver mounts. Port side offset 2" past the side of the boat ( RIB's Transom) and starboard (Ribs Bow) 7" past side of boat at transom. I measured transom width 8'1". The Rib is 8'10, 4" wider then the Standard Ranger/Cutwater Rib. We launched it Friday and docked in the slip with no issues. I have 10" fenders so the fenders are out further. I will post pics to show how it looks with 8'10" RIB.
Performance with Rib on platform ,6hp motor mounted cutwater transom, full water tank, full fuel tank, 4 adults on board, 20.5mph 4030 RPM WOT. I was taking on water in the RIB(water spray hitting the RIB bow) starboard side not port. It wasn't bad mostly when we hit larger waves. Lake Michigan was producing no more then 1' waves . It was a calm day for the lake. I have ordered a cover for the RIB. I will do some customizing so I can Have it installed on the boat with the weaver set up. This should help in keeping water out. At my cruise speed 12.5mph 3250RPM or slower no water at all Port or starboard.
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE
 
I bought Weaver davits RBD100 for a cutwater 30 with swim rails. Will this leave room to lean upright at 90 degrees with existing rails and lower fenders? I'm thinking i may have made an error?
 
We have swim rails on our R27 and Weaver Davits. No problem!

Curt
 
Gerr413":3pjdzihb said:
I bought Weaver davits RBD100 for a cutwater 30 with swim rails. Will this leave room to lean upright at 90 degrees with existing rails and lower fenders? I'm thinking i may have made an error?
Click to expand...

This install would work fine with rails. When I installed the brackets I made sure that if I installed the rails in the future they would work. The stand off's I have will allow me to have the RIB 90 degrees (straight up). I have it leaning toward the bow to reduce rain water from sitting in the boat. I have a cover that I am custom fitting to work with the weaver brackets, stand offs and ratchet straps.I am using ratchet straps to reduce the water spray, similar to Curt's set up. I will readjust the stand offs when the cover is installed.
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE
 
After a few months of having my Gala RIB on the swim platform I thought I would post a review.
The set up is great for launching the RIB. It is a matter of minutes to have in it the water and a matter of minutes to have it set up on the swim platform.
Visibility aft is an issue. Backing out of the slip, checking boat traffic off the stern, has an obstructed view .
The hull spray at higher speeds is my biggest concern. I have a 8' 10" Rib so it sticks out 4" further then the Ranger/Cutwater Rib 8' 6". The way the spray comes off the hull any size over 8' is going to get hit. If the water is calm it is not a problem. I get very little spray the way I have it installed. If the water is choppy and I pick up speed the RIB really catches the spray.

Knowing what I have experienced with this size RIB mounted on the Platform. I would sacrifice capacity and size in a RIB, and would have purchased one no longer then 8'. I also would have looked at roll ups with high performance inflatable floors, 8' 10" for capacity and mounted it the same has I did the RIB so we have easy launching , but I would have the option to deflate and roll up for open water runs.

I have the 8' 10" RIB and looking for opinions on raising the Rib up an additional 4" on the platform to get it up out of the hull spray. I have the standard 4"up 4" offset brackets with the quick release plates. I was thinking of making a pair of 4" spacers out of stainless that will slide into the existing quick release plates and my 4" offset brackets will slide on the top of the spacers. I will increase the size of the backing plates that I installed on the bottom of the swim platform. The only time I will use the spacers is when doing open water cruising because of it will be harder to load the boat on the brackets. The rest of the time I can have the RIB mounted standard . Thoughts ?
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE
 
Hi Brian,

I noticed you have one strap ties on the port side to the upper part of the dinghy transom. I have noticed significant improvement by tying the strap very tightly to the lower eye hook of the dinghy transom and thus lifting the dinghy a bit. Also we include an additional strap to the bow of the dinghy to lift that as well. The ratcheting truck tie down straps work best. I have some that are stainless now. Ours no longer hits the water even at max speed. But we are only 8.5 feet.

Photos in our album.

Curt
 
Curt,
How much did it lift your Rib by using the straps approximate inches? I looked at your Pics and then compared the elevation to my Rib mounted on the platform looks close but it is hard to tell in the Pics. When I watched the spray hitting the Rib, the water hits right where the grey stripe is , straight down from the bow cleat. I estimate 4" higher and it misses the boat. I centered the boat as per your suggestion when I set it up favoring the the starboard side with the bow . Bow is 6" past the starboard side of the hull. Stern tube is 2" past the port side of the hull. The water hits stern tube too. It is fine if the water is on the calmer side but if it is choppy or if I go through some larger wakes it throws water up and hits the RIB. At 12 to 14 mph it is fine any speed higher then that with a chop or wakes it sprays water. I rarely run above 14 mph and or I rarely run in heavy chop, but if I need to I want to have the ability to. I spoke with a 28' Cutwater owner from California a few weeks back. They were visiting family in the marina. They saw our Cutwater and came over to talk to us.One of the first things they asked me is do you get a lot of spray from the dingy when you are cruising out on the Lake. They have the factory dingy and get a lot of spray. Where did you locate the stainless straps?
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
POT-A-GEE

 
Hi Brian,

With the ratcheting straps the dinghy can be lifted nearly two inches. The port strap runs from the lower transom eye in the dinghy to the tug stern rail. It is important that it be attached to the lower dinghy transom eye to get the needed lift. The starboard strap runs from the interior dinghy bow eye to the tug transom rail. The strap must be attached to the rigid part of the dinghy hull to be secure.

Here are photos with my old (non-stainless red color) straps. I have since replaced them with the stainless ratcheting straps.



Since your dinghy is bigger and your Cutwater rides different it may not work the same for you but I found the straps solved my problem.

Good luck!

Curt
 
Thanks Curt, I have a couple ratchet straps. I will give it a try to see how far it lifts the boat. Thats a lot easier fix if it works on the Cutwater. If it doesn't work I'm going to experiment with spacers blocks and then fabricate a bracket.
Brian Brown
Cutwater 26
PORT-A-GEE
 
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