Hi Kerry I’ve been keeping track on your and others’ davit discussion(s)... First, let me say; I have two beautifully classic FB yachts (one a 1973 Uni Sport Sedan; the other a 1977 Tolly Tri Cabin) both are often utilized and each has a full width/depth swim step. Similar to you, during nice weather conditions, I simply love to feel the sun when desired as well as a continual breeze of fresh air that flows under bimini tops on both boat’s fly bridge. And yes, first mate’s hot cooking is scrumptious - when weather calls for piloting in salon.
That said… following is the way I fasten dink onto boat I have placed our inflatable dink on front deck and experienced reduced visibility from lower helm as well as “too greatly” encumbered movement on front deck for any purpose (mooring, anchoring… etc). What I found to do with our inflatable is so simple, adjustable and inexpensive that I’m pleased to provide my method to you! i.e. – Our dink is an inflatable Mercury QuickSilver, with forward, center and rear locations that accept 3/8” to 1/2" line for tie downs on top areas of both of its sides. So… I pull the dink (minus motor, gas tank, oars etc – but leaving in both seats) parallel to swim step. I then firmly (very closely and snugly) cinch-knot the forward and rear 3/8” short-rope tie downs to openings in swim deck (BTW – both short- rope tie downs remain on dink at all times… for ease of re fastening them to swim deck’s existing slots). Then, with a 25’ +/-, 1/2" line that is tied to outside center of dink I simply pull the dink out of water and rest it’s lower side (that is already snugly tied to slots in the swim step) on top of swim step. I snug the top 1/2" line to the railing that surrounds the rear of yacht (feeding it through and securing end areas on dink too). Takes me about 5 minutes (minus equipment removal and storage) to raise or lower our dink. Importantly… there are NO davit encumbrances for utilizing our swim step or rear deck area! And, it’s NO COST dink storage with no expensive equipment to fail! Also, we keep a folding dock step on our boats for easy of side-boarding while on a cruise and we have great dock steps staying at each permanent berth. Good Luck! Art Burtis -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "UnifliteWorld" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/unifliteworld?hl=en.
