Wide base bimini deck hinge?

[Muaddib1116]

Does anyone know of a deck hinge fitting for bimini eye ends that has a wide base with four mounting holes? This is the only style that I can find:


https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=100052


I'm intending to use this as the base of a reinforcement strut for my dinghy davits, and I'd prefer to have a wider footprint.


The closest I've found is this:


https://www.sailrite.com/Lifeline-Base-Stainless-Steel


But this would only support the strut fitting on one side, which might be fine, since it will be bolted tight, but I'd prefer the forked style.

[mike d.]

If you need a wider base why not take the defender base to a tig welder ! Add a larger base plate, with 4 holes !

[psk125]

You may be looking for the wrong thing. Try rudder gudgeons:
https://www.rigrite.com/Hardware/Rud...ard%20Gudgeons
They should be a good bit stronger than Bimini parts.

[Muaddib1116]

Originally Posted by mike d.

If you need a wider base why not take the defender base to a tig welder ! Add a larger base plate, with 4 holes !

Thanks, I think that will be a good last resort. Given the pricing of most bimini deck mounts, I'd like to stick with something premade.

[coopec43]

Can you modify a couple of these?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Davit-Ba...wAAOSwcwxdf6Ss


You don't have to thank me (Always happy to help)

[guyrj33]

Originally Posted by mike d.

If you need a wider base why not take the defender base to a tig welder ! Add a larger base plate, with 4 holes !

I like the idea of welding on a wider base.

You could also mount the two bolt version on a topping plate to spread the load over a wider area of deck.

[Scubaseas]

Your weak link will still be a 1/4" bolt in shear regardless of how big the base is. A wider base like a G10 base pad or similar would work if worried about point loading the deck.

[Var Korall]

Try Lee's Tackle. They have some pretty beefy outrigger bases, as on large sport fishing yachts. If you don't like the price, I may have some used ones, but not so pretty as new from Lee's. PM me.

[Var Korall]

Also, try Sailorman.com. Large marine salvage store in Ft Lauderdale.

[stormalong]

Check with Garhauer, they will do custom work for reasonable prices.

https://www.garhauermarine.com/

[jackjb53]

Why use a deck hinge at all? Why not use a ready made stanchion base? And slip your tubing inside it. They come in all types of angles. Many have a 4 hole base or 3 hole round. Stanchion bases come in 7/8" and 1" sizes which should fit your tubing.

[Muaddib1116]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm actually going to hold off on this project for this season. I've re-examined the davit construction, and I think it may not be as in need of reinforcement as I've been thinking. I am planning on attempting a welding project to weld on some mount pads for a couple winches to make lifting the dinghy easier. If I can do that project satisfactorily, I think it will be no problem to custom fabricate a base plate if I ever decide to go forward with this project.