[C320-list] Dinghy Davits

[Gene Helfman]

We've sailed with custom made davits on #398 Satori for 4 years; won't go
back.  We tow when we're only going short distances, but anything longer
and especially in open water, the dinghy gets hoisted up.  Much less
anxiety.  Unexpected pro: nice place to toss fenders, and dinghy becomes
good protection against careless folks in marinas.

Cons that surprised us:
 1. Depending on set-up, swim step inaccessible without moving dinghy.
2. When dinghy fills with rain (which adds to weight), some gymnastics are
required to pull the plug to drain it (and also to remember to put the plug
back in before lowering).
3. View out the stern is obscured.  Also complicates trolling for fish, or
at least bringing them on board.
4. if you think of your dinghy as your life raft, arrangements have to be
made for quick release.  We haven't figured that one out yet.
5.  The davits plus dinghy ("overhang") adds to your length and costs at
pay-by-the-foot marinas.

But the pros definitely outweigh these.

On Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 11:49 AM, Jack Fitzgibbon <chuters1 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> We installed Martek Davits on our 97 C320.  Easy install and easily
> removable when not in use.  We went with the MarTek 370 David system with
> stabilizing bar.
>
> Martekdavits.com
>
> Jack
> #441
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Feb 16, 2018, at 12:36 PM, Scott Westwood <
> scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> >
> > Anybody recently installed Dinghy davits on their C320?  Just starting
> to look around.  Ours is 1998.
> > What brand names Gauher others?? part numbers even better...  Catalina
> Direct have options?
> > Have not looked at our local marina to see what they would recommend or
> do......
> > I know the pros and cons.  May do some long range cruising in the next
> couple of years and evaluating davits.  Admiral doesn't like towing
> dinghy.  More pros than cons right now but open to thoughts.....
> > Thanks,
> > Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538     C
> (919)-618-7185
>



-- 
Gene Helfman, Professor Emeritus
Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
PERMANENT address:
    498 Shoreland Dr., Lopez Is., WA 98261
    (360) 468-2136
    genehelfman at gmail.com

*I'm a mad scientist.  And I'm growing madder with each passing day.*