Catalina 380 lift/Davit for Dinghy

Scott T-Bird · Jul 25, 2022

On a Catalina 30? Or are you sailing a larger boat now? I think the stability of a Catalina 30 would be significantly compromised by lifting that size rig on davits.

dlochner · Jul 25, 2022

550 lbs is pretty heavy, it will require a really beefy davit system and probably a power assisted hoist. That much weight hanging off the stern will affect the handling, most likely causing the boat to hobby horse in a seaway.

Scott T-Bird · Jul 25, 2022

shea0613 said:
It’s a Catalina 380. 38 ft 12’4” beam and 21000 lbs. I would not even consider it on my previous Cat 30.

That's funny! I knew you were talking about a 380, I just couldn't find it when I looked back to understand for sure after I saw your description. I never looked twice at the heading on the post! :facepalm:

I've looked at the Garhauer davits and it appears that they are custom made for each application. They have built so much equipment for Catalina that I wouldn't hesitate to call them for this application. Pricing is reasonable and the fabrication quality is excellent, I think. I've got an engine lifting davit on my transom and I use it sometimes to lift by 9' dingy to stand it on the swim platform.

You have plenty of buoyancy at your stern with that voluminous cockpit. I think there would be no problem lifting your new rig and securing it for trips to coastal areas. I don't know about real offshore passages with a davit set-up, but your interest seems to be getting around local coastal areas in this manner, and I think it would be perfect.

jon hansen · Jul 25, 2022

550 lbs. boat. plus 250 lbs davits, prolly elect hoist, more wait high above the water line, .........

beef up the hull and deck to bolt into, more weight above the waterline.

that dingy is not a good match for your boat.

sorry, just the facts.

loading a vessel is a science. weight in the wrong place is not good.

sorta like a 1/2 ton truck pulling a 8,000 lbs trailer. poor match.

Scott T-Bird · Jul 25, 2022

I'd love to have a closer look at the 380! I love the Catalina models, especially those that are similar to my 320.

jon hansen said:
550 lbs. boat. plus 250 lbs davits, prolly elect hoist, more wait high above the water line, .........

beef up the hull and deck to bolt into, more weight above the waterline.

that dingy is not a good match for your boat.

sorry, just the facts.

loading a vessel is a science. weight in the wrong place is not good.

sorta like a 1/2 ton truck pulling a 8,000 lbs trailer. poor match.

Disagree, first off the davits are nowhere close to 250 pounds and with pully system, no need for electric hoist - 50 pound lift max for each side with 6 to 1 - piece of cake. Modern design with all that buoyancy in the stern is no problem for that rig. If in doubt, check with Catalina and perhaps check into bracing the davits rather than carrying too much load on the stern rails.

jon hansen · Jul 25, 2022

fair enough scott, weight and windage, secured safely, outboard of the hull, sailing in all winds, .....................

i'm wincing, i'm thinking the sailing will be akin to a lumber truck on a bad road.

it's all about the ride, for me. loading vessels for a sweet ride is a science.

a caddy limo rides different than 1/2 ton truck.

if you want to load a barge, do so. want a sweet riding sailor, there are different considerations.

what say you?

Scott T-Bird · Jul 25, 2022

It's usually about compromises ... if it's all about the sailing, then why carry a dinghy at all? I leave mine behind on most occasions! (or deflated and attached in it's bag in front of the mast - but I have towed it and I have stood it on it's edge off the swim platform.)