Support for Davits on Backstay?

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

Gary A.

We have davits installed on our 1983 Hunter 34. These are the kind that attach to the top rail of the stern pulpit and at the top of the cockpit coaming. We have braced the davits and have eliminated most of the side to side wobble. We would now like to try to eliminate the up and down wobble we see as we hoist our dinghy. I'm curious about installing a set of cables from the tip of each davit up to the fitting where our backstay splits. This would essentially form an inverted "V" and should help address the up and down stability of the davits. It will also add a bit of weight to the backstay, and there for the mast and the rest of the rig. Our dinghy weighs about 110 pounds and we'd occasionally like to leave the outboard attached taking the weight to about 150 pounds. Any thoughts on this? If I do this, am I better off making two separate lengths of cable or should I mount a block at the backstay split fitting and run a single length from the tip of one davit up through the block and down to the tip of the other davit so I can adjust the tension? See the link below for a photo of what I'm talking about. The red lines indicate the proposed cable(s). I know this is the shared forum, but I'm sure there are non-Hunters that have a similar setup. Thanks, Gary
 
J

Jon Petersen

Try this link for the Photo

your link didn't work so I changed it.. and it worked. Also I put davits on my 93,33.5 and put a support wire on each davit, from the cockpit to the davit. I put the davits further apart.. we have a 10' dingy. One thing, you don't want any movement or it will chaft.. If you would like pictures.. Let me know or want to come see it I am at Blackbeard Sailing Club in New Bern. Jon Email Nonlinear@mindspring.com s/v Nonlinear Hope this helps..
 
G

Gary A.

Photo Located at ...

http://members.aol.com/ncgarya/davitsupport.jpg
 
D

Don Evans

Get An Expert Rigger's Opinion

I'd be a bit concerned about extra strain on the backstay, especially if its not balanced on the forestay. Why not ask at Brion Toss's spartalk website. Don
 
J

Jim WIllis

Support for davits

My davits originally were attached to the rear rail and wobbled also. I mounted a large board on top of the davits to hold solar panels, wind genderator and wind vene for the autohelm 3000. It was now REALLY wobbly. What I did was threefold: An extra rail bolted to the cockpit coaming (in compression) then cable with turnbuckle to the padeye used for my staysail (in tension). Then a cable (again adjustable) from the radar pole to the center of the board. You can now climb on the board without it wobbling and the dinghy is largely protected from sun by the board. I don't have photos but could make some Jim Willis
 
G

Gary A

Photos

Jim, Thanks for your suggestions. Sounds like you have a pretty good solution. Photos would be great at some point, if not too much trouble. I'm sure there are others out there with wobbly davits who would love to see your solution as well. Gary
 
Status
Not open for further replies.