Here are a couple more pics of my dinghy in the sling. We have a 9'6" Highfields. The other Catalina 310 next to me has an 8' Highfields on davits.
We crossed the Gulfstream and several other sloppy sections using the dingy sling. We never had chafe issues and once had a wave slap it and it splashed back but that was it. I would highly recommend the dinghy sling to anyone who wants an affordable way to get the dinghy out of the water without installing any hardware.
I shouldn't say any hardware. I added two stern cleats, close to the walkthrough. That did make using the sling easier and more secure.
We do have an arch now. It's nice to be able to lift the dinghy out of the water with the engine on. I wouldn't use Davits like the ones on the other Catalina above in big seas. But our arch lifts the dinghy above the stern rail. I can almost put the stern ladder up and down with the dinghy lifted. I am working on gaining those precious few inches.