What are these apparent mounting spots for?

[mrmrsk]

The two red circles on this photo (top down over the stern) - they are encircling what seem to me to be mounting plates of some sort. What are they intended for, please?

I kinda want to put some rear corner seating there and maybe that's a fine place to do it, but I don't want to cover up what it'd be even better for.
(Reminds me of the old joke of using the cd-rom tray as a cup holder)

[Dusty Mac]

First thing that comes to mind is an arch of some type. Pretty skookum size mounting holes.

[JasonBRose]

Look like dinghy davit mounts to me

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by JasonBRose

Look like dinghy davit mounts to me

[MicHughV]

Yep, deck mounted dinghy davit leg pads.

#1) Reason I'm pretty sure is that the stern rail only has a single upper rail, so not very strong.
Had this been a transom mounted davit, it would have used the stern rail for support.
#2) Those deck mounted davits are not often seen, and if they are, usually seen on older model boats. The pic seems to indicate an older model boat, with the transom tucked in under the rail, further compounding the installation of a transom mounted davit.

[mrmrsk]

Davits make sense! Thanks! Anyone know of an davit system that is well designed for this placement that I can look at as an example/product info? Ideally it'd be easy to operate, compact, capable of hoisting and holding a good size inflatable dinghy for this 1974 Irwin 32. Room for/integrated stern seating of any sort would be nice too.

[PippaB]

Don't see a lot of Irwin's that size with davits, and looks like that area is original molded-in (implying if used for davits they would be relatively common on that boat). So, wondering if the stern cleats used to be mounted on the pads, and for some reason some PO moved them?

The OP's photo shows both stern lines rubbing on railing, from the pads you would get a fairer lead. Also might get a slight elevation gain to help keep the lines off the sheer? The current cleats also look to be installed in a molded non-skid area, and would make sense if they were not.

Speculation, not knowledge.

[MicHughV]

That depends on your dink selection, ie, where are the hoisting points, etc.
Also, most dinks are typically 9'-11" long, so you don't want a dink that sticks out past the beam of your boat.
Then lets talk weight. A RIB will be 100 lbs plus, and inflatable hard floor quite a bit less.
A wood or fiberglass rowing dink is also an option, but these can be heavy.
Then what power, 4 hp, 10 hp, 15 hp, what ? plus fuel tank, etc
All this weight will be carried on the transom.

The first question you really need to answer is, what will the dink be used for.
Shorts runs to the store ? a scuba dive platform.
Decide that and go from there.

Lastly, a 32' boat is not very large, so weight placement is a consideration.

Those old style davits are not seen much these days. Your best bet is to google davits and see what you can come up with.

[MicHughV]

Just for funsies, I googled deck mounted dinghy davits and could not find those old style davits.

Most davits will run you around $2K, plus installation. Might be a $3K project by the time you're done.

Not sure where you are located, but you might find some of those older style davits at a marine salvage store, as well as the newer versions.

[SuW]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

That depends on your dink selection, ie, where are the hoisting points, etc.
Also, most dinks are typically 9'-11" long, so you don't want a dink that sticks out past the beam of your boat.
Then lets talk weight. A RIB will be 100 lbs plus, and inflatable hard floor quite a bit less.
A wood or fiberglass rowing dink is also an option, but these can be heavy.
Then what power, 4 hp, 10 hp, 15 hp, what ? plus fuel tank, etc
All this weight will be carried on the transom.
The first question you really need to answer is, what will the dink be used for.
Shorts runs to the store ? a scuba dive platform.
Decide that and go from there.
Lastly, a 32' boat is not very large, so weight placement is a consideration.
Those old style davits are not seen much these days. Your best bet is to google davits and see what you can come up with.

For weight, safety and security considerations (as when towing a dinghy) when we carried a dinghy on davits, we would lift the outboard engine off and put it on a pad on the stern rail of the mother ship.
Also the fuel tank and any other loose stuff (oars etc.).

[wingssail]

Somebody actually figured out that davits or an arch is a dumb idea (if you are interested in sailing rather than motoring) and either took them off or decided not to finish mounting them. Good on them.

[nofacey]

Atkins & Hoyle make a dinghy davit that has similar pads
https://atkinshoyle.com/2000-fixed-d...f-350-lbs.html

Personally I’d find the local SS railing shop and get something fabbed with the same baseplates.