Davits or Hydrovane

[nuru05]

So we are in the process of buying a boat which we plan to liveaboard this summer. We will be doing some extended cruising (9 months a year) which will include some offshore and crossings.

The boat currently has a hydrovane on it. These are great, however, they obviously eliminate the option of davits. So my question for you guys is; assuming that the boat also has a modern autopilot if given the option would you rather have a hydrovane or davits?

[Ambler]

Hydrovane, you can always attach a forward halyard to a lifting strop on your dinghy, the dinghy painter to the bow or around some staunchens to keep the dinghy just forward of the mast and hoist it overnight.
Davits with dinghys are windage at sea. Best off to lash the dinghy upside down on deck or deflated if its a soft one and stored below.
Just my opinion having sailed high latitudes with davits.

[Roniszoro]

Originally Posted by nuru05

So we are in the process of buying a boat which we plan to liveaboard this summer. We will be doing some extended cruising (9 months a year) which will include some offshore and crossings.

The boat currently has a hydrovane on it. These are great, however, they obviously eliminate the option of davits. So my question for you guys is; assuming that the boat also has a modern autopilot if given the option would you rather have a hydrovane or davits?

This is not a mutually exclusive decision. One can have both. Cruisers have added davits who have a hydrovane and used the davits when island hopping and day sailing while employing their below deck autopilot. Then for offshore passages of any length, the dinghy gets lashed to the deck and the hydrovane get set up and used.

[Jono as 2234]

You give no details of your boat, nor your area. Davits are ridiculous on a 26 footer, but almost mandatory on a 50 footer

[Roniszoro]

Originally Posted by Jono as 2234

You give no details of your boat, nor your area. Davits are ridiculous on a 26 footer, but almost mandatory on a 50 footer

Agreed as to 26 footer, but I'd dispute the "mandatory on 50 footer".

[Jono as 2234]

Almost, mate, almost

[Livia]

Originally Posted by nuru05

So we are in the process of buying a boat which we plan to liveaboard this summer. We will be doing some extended cruising (9 months a year) which will include some offshore and crossings.

The boat currently has a hydrovane on it. These are great, however, they obviously eliminate the option of davits. So my question for you guys is; assuming that the boat also has a modern autopilot if given the option would you rather have a hydrovane or davits?

How many days offshore and how many crew? I'm asking because if you have enough crew (or a short enough passage if double handed) then losing the autopilot may not be a big deal. But for longer passages, if double handed, I would want backup self-steering. This could be two autopilots, or a Hydrovane (we loved ours) and an autopilot.

[Roniszoro]

Take a look at the most recent YouTube video of Sailing Nandji. They have a hydrovane and davits and use the hydrovane while the dingy is up in the davits! And they are the real deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0h...ndji-Frothlyfe

[hpeer]

Get a Porte Boat dink and store on life lines or tow.