Just did it in October
I put a pair on my 380 last October before our 900 mile trip down the Mississippi and into Kentucky Lake. I was very satisfied with the system. The one I bought I got at the link below, after much research. The placement was hard to figure out but I got it done and it has held solid and steady, including through two hard weather events on our trip. The system I bought seems more expensive but is actually less. You can find davits for a lower list price they don't include the tackle, which is expensive; but this one includes all the block, cleats and lines, carabiners, everything (except to finish it off, you really need two swivels to attach the ends of the lift system to your dinghy harness, otherwise the lines that go up from the bottom blocks/carabiners get twisted and you can have a hard time getting any lift at all. On my 380, there is a spot to put the foot on each side, just off the anchor locker lid. Then you can attach the upper support bracket to the vertical rail that holds up the aft end of the taffrail seats. This makes a very solid purchase and a good load bearing position that does not overly tax the taffrail system. I put a new RIB on it, 100 lbs., and it held up, even during a serious weather emergency problem we had on route. I learned a very dangerous lesson about leaving the dinghy in the davits during a blow. Even on the Mississippi, the waves will try to rip her off your stern. But these davits held. Two problems to overcome: (1) you have to shorten the leg of each davit carefully, each a slightly different length, don't ask me why. And it is double wall stainless, so you really need a sawzall with a nice blade and a good table vise ( had a good friend with a sawzall and a vise, which is even better), and (2) the upper bracket that comes permanently installed on the davit arms when you get them does move, but only about a half inch up or down, so you have to measure how long the leg needs to be downwards from that point. That is the only way it works. If you want to get hold of me, send me an e-mail through my river trip website www.marriageconnection.net/selah and I will get back to you. I have pictures, but they are at work, I'll try to remember them and post them tomorrow. Captain Eric
