Davit Selection

[Cat36Amoore]

Ahoy,
Having just recently purchased our 1998 Catalina 36 MKII we are going to install a davit for our dingy. Looking for advice from other sailors who have installed and chosen a davit. Installation is not a concern more choosing a quality davit from a professional and service orientated company. Although choosing the right company may make the install easier.

I have been researching on line and have narrowed my search to: Forespar, Garhauer Marine, Kato and Martek. Do you have experience and recommendations with any of the above. Or endorse another company? I have a 10x42 Zodiac with a 6 hp out board approx. 200lbs. I know I should include some stein rail support.

As an option has anybody installed an arch on a Catalina 36?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Fair winds and calm seas

Amoore

 

[quadrille38]

Please don’t take this as snarky because I don’t mean it that way. This topic has thoroughly discussed numerous times. What you will find is that there are many favorites mostly driven by what people own.

I suggest you do a search in the archives and you will more information On this topic than you can imagine

 

[Cat36Amoore]

ok thanks I just need to figure out how to access the archives.

 

[Hello Below]

Archives = Search

Maybe start here. Certainly not all inclusive, but a start.

Search on “Davit Catalina 36“

 

[Rich Stidger]

Almost everybody likes whatever davits they have installed. So you are asking for a popularity contest. I would recommend Garhauer for both quality and service. Bottom line- you will need to look at each manufacturer and make your own determination based upon what you think will work best and fit your budget.

 

[NYSail]

I’ve been looking at these

Kingston Anchors D-352 Dinghy Davit System

Features: Kingston Dinghy Davit System has reversible boom arms that enables set-up for either long extensions or extra height when needed Boom arms are easily removed by pulling a quick-release pin Electro Polished: satin-like finish wit

www.defender.com

 

[dmax]

Congrats on the new boat, very nice. You can also look on the catalina 36 site, here's the results of a search on "davit" from there:

Blacklisted

 

[Cat36Amoore]

Congrats on the new boat, very nice. You can also look on the catalina 36 site, here's the results of a search on "davit" from there:

Blacklisted

Thanks for the reply. I did submit a forums inquiry to Catalina 36 International Association.

 

[capta]

Two things you might consider. Is it possible one day you might acquire a heavier dinghy? If so, and you have limited yourself to the weight of your present dinghy, what then? Buy and install a whole new set of davits?
Make sure your installation is actually high enough to keep the dink and motor clear of the water when you are heeled over. Ours weren't (installed by the previous owner) so we had to build boxes to raise them up about 14".
Remember, davits put both a down pressure on the boat and an up pressure, so engineer them in such a way you aren't just mounting them to the aft deck. Ours now have 3/8" stainless plates that go from the hull/deck joint on the stern to the forward bolts, so the deck cannot flex at all. Remember also the amount of torque on a violently moving boat on an extended shaft (the davit arm) and the deck mount.
Once you have them, don't be lazy; always bring the dink up if you aren't using it and you'll never have to clean her bottom again!

 

[sail sfbay]

Agree with all the suggestions from the forum and would like to add..........suggest looking carefully at photos of each manufacturer's davits on a 1998 Catalina 36 MKII and their specific features including:

• Tubing diameter 1" or 1-1/4" heavy wall for primary and secondary tubing
• Material of construction: 304 SS or 316 SS
• Maximum safe load for each davit arm for your dinghy (and motor) weight
• How they attach to your boat and whether you need struts
• Davit tackle 4:1 or 6:1, block manufacturer, cleats, cam cleats and braided line diameter
• Swiveling universal base allows for deck camber or mounting angle
• Transom mounted or extended deck bases are also available

 

[Cat36Amoore]

Two things you might consider. Is it possible one day you might acquire a heavier dinghy? If so, and you have limited yourself to the weight of your present dinghy, what then? Buy and install a whole new set of davits?
Make sure your installation is actually high enough to keep the dink and motor clear of the water when you are heeled over. Ours weren't (installed by the previous owner) so we had to build boxes to raise them up about 14".
Remember, davits put both a down pressure on the boat and an up pressure, so engineer them in such a way you aren't just mounting them to the aft deck. Ours now have 3/8" stainless plates that go from the hull/deck joint on the stern to the forward bolts, so the deck cannot flex at all. Remember also the amount of torque on a violently moving boat on an extended shaft (the davit arm) and the deck mount.
Once you have them, don't be lazy; always bring the dink up if you aren't using it and you'll never have to clean her bottom again!

Capta: thanks for the thoughtful reply

 

[Cat36Amoore]

Agree with all the suggestions from the forum and would like to add..........suggest looking carefully at photos of each manufacturer's davits on a 1998 Catalina 36 MKII and their specific features including:

• Tubing diameter 1" or 1-1/4" heavy wall for primary and secondary tubing
• Material of construction: 304 SS or 316 SS
• Maximum safe load for each davit arm for your dinghy (and motor) weight
• How they attach to your boat and whether you need struts
• Davit tackle 4:1 or 6:1, block manufacturer, cleats, cam cleats and braided line diameter
• Swiveling universal base allows for deck camber or mounting angle
• Transom mounted or extended deck bases are also available

SFBay Thanks for the great detail.