Bought an Ocean Marine Davit for my Hunter 380 this year. RIB is a WM double fiberglass bottom, 10'3" , 130 lbs. With a new Yamaha 9.9...90Lbs, plus gas tank and other items- 50lbs. No , I would not get a smaller RIB or less HP. And the flat inside bottom is just so much better.... I plane nicely, and have room for the wife and the dog.
I bought their heavy duty model Davit , medium height, rated at 450lbs. I have access to stern and all storage compartments. I have the cross member for a solar panel mount and increased strength and a 160 watt solar panel mounted which takes up entire area.. I have 3 to 1 and 6 to 1 pulley on stern. While access is good I would have liked the tallest model which is 5" taller ( of course it would be weaker, IMHO). The RIB is as high as the stern seating, so waves coming over the stern and swamping the RIB is not much of a problem. The cockpit would be swamped also....
IMPORTANT.
My blocks were rigged badly. The Installer changed the way Ocean Marine had them rigged, even with instructions not to change them. Getting the engine end up was a bear. NOW Re rigged correctly , but still not that easy. However I have electric 46st winches and I use them to pull up the RIB. The owner of Ocean Marine, I sent photos of the rigging to and he diagnosed the problem. He was very helpful over a long period and many screw ups at the boatyard.
IMPORTANT. The RIB is to be pulled up tight against the davits which prevents the normal sway, locks the rib in place. It is designed that way. I do advise a rubber patch or even a folded towel at that point to prevent rubbing. The biat yard wanted to leave the RIB hanging down... a few minutes on the water in chop and you know that is a no starter.
IMPORTANT. The davit does not extend far out over the stern. Half or more of the width of my Rib is within the boat over the swim platform (but high up, so there is access, 5'8"). This is not a mistake as the boat yard complained. Extending out further is more stress on the Davit, the RIB is more exposed and would interfere more with boat handling, length and etc. When lowering a gentle nudge with the knee is required for the RIB to clear the swim platform. And yes its a great place to throw the fenders.... or tie them to the davit or its spare cleats.
These Davits are designed in part for the Hunter and its sugar scoop stern.... and for the RIB to be tucked in tight against the davit.
I read lots of stories by cruisers before I went down this path. All said get a davit, the deck is a pain as is blowing boat up after unfolding. Get a flat bottom inside to prevent sliding and broken ankles. They have proven to be right. I don't think a 68 year old couple is going to be regularly hoisting, deflating and securing a RIB after first removing a 90lb outboard.
I have my Magma Party Kettle grill mounted in a fish rod holder (Have 6 mounted, WM 2 for 1 sale)) and the davit nor RIB is in the way of the grill.
Pls note, the stern railing is tied into the ARCH and the davit is tied into the railing and the deck... that's a lot of engineered support, with lots of cross/vector strength.
If its not easy, its does not get used or done.
Regards,
Viper