Dinghy on Davits boat trim O'Day 35

[Member 66616]

I recently installed Garhauer Davits on my O'Day 35. Great product and support from Mark at Garhauer in California. The problem is that when dinghy is up on davits the bow of the boat is approx 1-1/2 to 2 inches higher in the water. Any thoughts?

Primary reason for davits is to make it easier to stow the AB hard Bottom when at dock as opposed to hauling it up on deck with a halyard. (lots of work) so davits already worth the price and effort. Can continue to tow it when cruising and lift it out of the water with the davits at night to prevent bottom growth and for security.

I am concerned about how the boat would handle under sail and/ or power with the dinghy hanging on the davits.

One thought is to add about 200 - 300 pounds of chain in the locker to give better balance.

Anyone have experience with this issue?

 

[Stu Jackson]

If all you're doing is using the davits when you're at the dock, perhaps the bow rise is no issue at all. I wouldn't add extra weight at the bow just for this. Many, many, many 30 foot to mid thirty foot boats use davits and have exactly the same issue. A friend is sailing his C36 from FL to Maine with davits. Many of our C34 skippers have them.

I would consider rearranging whatever materials you have down below (like tools, other equipment, even batteries if need be) before I'd add weight for trim only at the dock. You also should consider your waterline and bottom paint at the stern: if the stern is squatting low, you may have "unprotected" gelcoat at the waterline near the stern and could start getting growth there unless you modify your bottom paint at the waterline.

And, if you add weight forward, when you take the dinghy off the davits you'll be down at the head, which is even worse.

 

[Member 66616]

Stu:
Thanks for the quick post. My concern is how the boat would handle with dinghy on davits while I sailed and/or motored. The boat already squats a bit under full power. Thanks also for the thought on the bottom paint.

Joel