A block and tackle threesome
I’m not sure if I have written on this topic specifically but ever since acquiring our new (to us) hard-bottomed dinghy back in Florida, we have had a devil of a time getting it to ride securely on the davits. With the slightly-smaller Walker Bay inflatable that we used to have, we had no problems. In fact, with that dinghy, we never even removed the outboard when carrying it on the davits. Then again, we never sailed in these conditions, or these long distances either. Anyway, with the new one, let’s just say we have had issues. I do think we’ve got them sorted though, thanks to Brio.
While anchored in Georgetown, we spotted another PDQ 32, s/v Brio, and took note of how they had their dinghy rigged. Coincidentally, they had exactly the same size and even the same brand of dinghy that we do. What we noted was that, instead of using one block and tackle attached to a bridle line to raise the stern, they used two individual block and tackles, each attached to the lifting points. With this arrangement, the dinghy can be lifted much higher allowing us to get it to sit up onto the edge of the stern. Now, because we only had two of these setups, we had to be a bit creative with some extra blocks we had on hand. It all worked out though and after testing it on the last few passages that we have been on, I rate it a complete success. We still do remove the outboard from the dinghy for passages though, storing it on the rail mount that I made. We also took Drew’s advice and use two dock lines to add extra security to the dinghy, pulling it in tight for passages. I now pronounce this challenge ‘solved!’
Dual block and tackle setups allow us to get the dinghy nice and high.
It’s always nice to have extra blocks on a boat.
Dock lines are used to pull it in tight.
“Yama-Sama” likes his nice resting place for passages.
The ” threesome” in the title really caught my attention so I had to check out your blog for the first time……..It is a sailing blog! False advertising! Funny that you learned from the same boat with the same set up……..Please dont copy how I do my homemade splice for my fender balls………
You are so easy to suck in, John. I wish the fish were that easy. BTW, I love your splices:)
Some good info, there Thanks. With the engine are you able to flush it with “fresh water”
after you use it ? If you are how do you do it ? I use to have a bucket of fresh water & sit it in side & leave it run for 5 mins to get ride of the salt water from the Impellers & water cooling channels as they do rust after a while !!
Negative, never done that. I doubt anyone down here does that, not that it wouldn’t help. Buckets of fresh water aren’t that easy to come by.
For what it’s worth, I use ratchet straps from the lifting loop on the stern over the transom under the tube and up to the davit.
This pulls the RIB up tight too the davit.
The bow strap goes on the tow eye and then to the davit and ratchet it tight.
Hope this made sense. :))
Bill Kelleher
I think I understand. A photo(s) would be great if you have one though, Bill.
My boat is still in winter storage and the rib is in the back yard. :))
I will TRY to remember to take pictures after I am in the water.
Bill Kelleher
Thanks Bill.
Another problem solved! See, it’s all good!
Don’t worry, there are plenty more problems to write about.
Hey guys
Very helpful as im in the process of setting my tender up to go on davits.
One Question, on a rib why remove the Outboard on passage? Is it just to gain the extra height or is there another reason? As im planning (hoping) to keep it on
I think the deciding factor will have to be the strength of the davits/arch on your boat. Engines are heavy, and with the dynamic loading caused by a boat bouncing up and down in the waves, you’d better be sure that what’s holding your tender can deal with that force. Many people would advocate removing the tender from the davits altogether when traveling offshore.
a question i have is do you see increased mechanical advantage from the two separate transom dinghy hoists? in other words, is there combined 4:1 and 4:1 to equal 8:1? that would really help us out because we leave the outboard on the rib.
Hi Mark
No, not really, although there might be a BIT more of an advantage. We raise the dinghy every night with the engine still on it (we only remove the engine when we are going to travel). It is still a little bit of a chore to lift but not that bad. It’s funny that you asked this question because I was just thinking yesterday about how much I like the stability of the 3-point system.