[C320-list] Boarding Ladder Dinghy Lift

[Mike Ott]

We have a Walker Bay 8' dinghy and I dislike loading / unloading from the bow.  Underway it also blocks the forward hatch and towing it creates maneuvering problems.  
I have heard that the transom snap davits are impractical and difficult to attach in any seaway.  
What about using the boarding ladder ?  I thought I would see if it would work and was surprized by the result.  While sitting in the dinghy, my wife lower the boarding ladder across the dingy and I tied the last ladder step outboard to the dinghy middle seat.  I tied the top step to middle dinghy seat inboard.  I attached a bow line and stern line to the dinghy and I wife and I raised the dinghy, with the boarding ladder acting as a hinge.  We used the aft cleats to tie off the boat and only had to untie the top ladder step, in order to get the ladder to latch in place to the aft railing.    I think with a little more thought, rigging the whole operation would take 10 mins.  
Anyone ever try this ?
Mike Ott
"Amanda Lu"
# 508