Orana 44: Davits - Our Improvements

[pstadt]

Michelle and I were unhappy with the factory FP davits due to low clearance from the water to the raised dinghy and inability to really secure it well. I've learned so much from the Forum entries so I thought I'd share our solution with anyone interested.
I sketched out a new system for our local stainless shop to build that I thought wold work well. JADE is an Orana, hull #79 and we have a small 9'-6" dinghy with a 9.9 Honda (and did not want to remove it for cruising). We wanted to use the molded foundation of the transom to hold the new davits and end up with the boat about 4' higher - also wanted to incorporate a tilting rack for two framed solar panels, along with relocating the stern light. We haven't yet installed the solar system (next project) but here are a few pics of the old and new davits. Atlantic Spars and Rigging (Annapolis/Eastport) turned out a great set of davits for us. We had also had Atlantic install additional handrails for us on the salon top a couple of years ago - Charlie from Atlantic is a wizard!

Pat

[DotDun]

Nice additions!!!

[StarryHorizons]

Awesome job on the new davits! They look great!

[pstadt]

Thanks to DotDun and StarryHorizons! I've read and learned a lot from Dot Dun's posts and loved StarryHorizons blog pages - helped us pick our new dinghy from your analysis!

We just have to attach the new solar panels and wire it all up and I think we are done customizing for a while!

Pat

[rmaher]

Very nice and having just returned from taking the boat to Florida, I am especially envious of the hand rails. Would you mind sharing what it cost?

Thanks - Rob

[pstadt]

Rob, let me dig out the invoices and I'll get back to you - the topside rails were put on a couple of years ago, separately from the new davits.

Where did you end up in Florida? We hope to end up in the Keys someday.

Pat

[rmaher]

Most appreciated, Pat! I've kicked around pricing out the integral seats, davits, solar supports as those on the Antares 44 while simultaneously getting the dinghy higher out of the water. My greatest hesitation is will it detract from site lines that I so appreciate!?

Rob

[thinwater]

I wonder if the problem was actually with the davits, or the rather the lifting tackle, spreaders, and how they were used? I have the same low davits and can easily lift the dingy up tight.
(It never gets wet here--I don't need it higher. Monohulls are different, since they heel and the dingy is farther aft. Since this picture I extended the transoms and the dingy is even farther forward in relation.)


The problem with high davits is the lost space. We store 2 kayaks on top of the davits much of the time, or a pair of bicycles on a rack. It is very easy to launch them from there and they are in the way of nothing.

As for securing the dingy, nothing can be more secure than tricing it up, as illustrated.

I find the stubby davits beautifully space and weight efficient.

[rmaher]

Hi Tom - Your pic speaks volumes - it certainly raises your dink higher than that which can be achieved in the Orana as originally fitted.

Thanks - Rob