Just A Little Dinghy

[JTSmith]

Just bought a Hunter 40. Need a dinghy. What size? Boat has davits, but I don't know much about them. Also motor lift. Equally stupid about that. Any thoughts?


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[skipmac]

First, what's the lifting capacity of the davits? That might be your limiting factor.

In general I'm of the bigger is better school with dinghies. If you will be serious cruising, anchoring out, going on dive or exploration trips then a planning RIB is the best option. Min 9', 10-11' if you can carry it.

If the RIB is too big or heavy for you and your boat get a hard floor, inflatable keel model.

You can use a halyard to lift the outboard.

[JTSmith]

Originally Posted by skipmac

First, what's the lifting capacity of the davits? That might be your limiting factor.

In general I'm of the bigger is better school with dinghies. If you will be serious cruising, anchoring out, going on dive or exploration trips then a planning RIB is the best option. Min 9', 10-11' if you can carry it.

If the RIB is too big or heavy for you and your boat get a hard floor, inflatable keel model.

You can use a halyard to lift the outboard.

Thanks, Skip. Don't know what the davits will support, but i'll find out next week. If I went with 11', how much outboard hp? I' not a small guy - 6'3", 275 - so that' said factor, too.


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[skipmac]

Originally Posted by JTSmith

Thanks, Skip. Don't know what the davits will support, but i'll find out next week. If I went with 11', how much outboard hp? I' not a small guy - 6'3", 275 - so that' said factor, too.


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Roughly you could assume small boat davits would be rated 100-200 lbs. That's each so double that for the total dinghy weight. BUT!! How well are they mounted? The PO of my boat mounted mine with lag screws so when I hung a 150 lb total wt dinghy/outboard (well within the rating) they ripped out one evening when a storm blew through the anchorage and it got a little choppy.

Properly done the davits should be through bolted into a large backing plate. I would check this before hanging a max weight dinghy on them.

Outboard rating will be determined by the dinghy model and maker. Will be on the specs for the dinghy. 11' dink typically rated 15 HP max, some models maybe up to 20 HP. Most ads I read for dinks will give max and recommended HP, the later usually 1/3 less but I always go for the max.

An 11' with 15 HP should plane with you and probably one smaller person. Much more than that would be iffy.

[Gerrycooper56]

Have a look at the aluminum ribs as well - light for their size


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[Cheechako]

If you are that big, I would go with a RIB.. or a hard floor inflatable if weight savings is needed for the davits... probably 10ft on that boat. 15 hp (same weight as most 10hp) should plane you and one other fine. Probably can get 3 upon plane if you shift your weight just as it wants to plane... with a RIB.
any longer and you are getting a lot of windage with it on the davits.. Put the motor on the storage while the dink is on the davits if moving between anchorages. If you don't care about planning than 5hp is fine.
It's nice you have the davits and motor lift with the boat. Buy a Hypalon dingy. AB, Achilles etc.... you'll be glad you did.

[fabrik]

Hi could you sens me a pic od your davits installation <Thanks

Capt Michel

[JTSmith]

Wish I could, mate, but I'm currently 1500 miles away from her. I'll be back aboard in a week.


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[fabrik]

Thanks if you have a chance later would appreciate


Capt Michel

[HopCar]

"Most ads I read for dinks will give max and recommended HP, the later usually 1/3 less but I always go for the max."

I agree with this. I sell outboards and everyone who buys an engine more than a third less than max rated hp, and expects the boat to plane, is disappointed. Nobody is unhappy if they put the biggest engine they can on.

If you're happy at displacement speeds, it's surprising how small an engine you can get away with.