Recommended Line for Dinghy Davit Lift

[RoadRacer]

What size line (& type) would you recommend for lifting my 9' Caribe dingy and a 100# 4-stroke outboard up on the davits? I want the bridle rig to remain in the boat when launched. There are two lifting points on the transom and one at the bow locker.
I may go to a coated ss cable system in the future but need a line solution for this weekend.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Troubadour52993]

I have 3/8" double braid running through fiddle blocks to give me a 4:1 on my davits for about 300 lbs of RIB/motor. Admiral takes the bow & I take the stern and we do it daily vs. leaving it in the water trailing. My bridle in the boat is 1/4" double braid. Stern attachment points go to a SS ring that clears the outboard, bow has a short 6" painter to a ring so that the fiddle block clears the bow locker. I hate splicing double braid that small, so it's all just tied with buntline hitches.

No issues so far, been using it three months or so.

[Eric M]

Check out the West Marine Rigging Advisor. I expect you will find that the loads in your situation can be handled by line smaller in diameter than is comfortable in your hands. Don't go too large or the line won't run smoothly in your block and tackle.
I have a fairly similar dinghy (10' RIB with a 9.9 2 stroke outboard). I am using the core of some 3/8" NE ropes sta-set for my bridle as I had it laying around. 1.5 years later it is still working fine.
If you look at most industrial lifting rigging these days you will find most is no longer done with cable, but rather nylon straps as the later are far more capable of damping shock loads. Think of the bounce your dinghy might take suspended from the davits riding over a large wake or in rougher weather before you order a set of cable bridles.
Good Luck,
--Eric

[Bash]

Use the line that best complements your tackle. I have 6:1 blocks on the davits, which means I want something small and soft. Stretch is not an issue, nor is the working load. I'll exceed the lifting capacity of the davits long before I need to worry about the working load on the line. You may find that the less expensive options actually perform better for this use, because high-modulus rope is going to be a bear in high-purchase blocks.

[RoadRacer]

Thanks for the responses. I'll go with an appropriate WM line in the short term but will try to locate a source for pre-made nylon straps.

Chuck