vertical storing of a dinghy on swim platform???

[faithab]

Hi, I''ve been researching ways to store a dink (inflatible or Walker Bay) on the swim platform of the Freedom 35 sailboat we will be buying. I''ve seen the Weaver davit system and a rather simple system utilizing U-shaped, pivoting supports from

http://www.allinflatables.com/shopping/custom/davit1package.html

There is also Dinghy-Tow, a way of tilting up the dink so only the bow is towed in the water and the rest of the boat is affixed to the stern rail.

Does anyone know anything about these systems? Any recommendations? Thank you, Faith

[WHOOSH]

Faith, Aubrey & Judy Millard have been all over Europe using the Canadian ''backwards'' dinghy towing arrangement and you will find several discussions of this arrangement and how its worked for them among their many reports. To dig into their reports, visit http://searoom.com/veleda/index.html

Jack

[faithab]

Hi Jack, Thank you for the tip. I read a few and found no reference to the dingy tow. Should I read every one and look for the refs? Too bad they don''t have a search!!

Faith

[WHOOSH]

Hi, Faith - and yes, finding things in Aubrey''s writings was much easier 4 or 5 years and many articles ago!

I believe the hook-up that the Millards put on their boat can be seen at www. dinghy-tow.com/ You''ll find pictures and a description of all the positives here, so consider this the sales pitch as well as a tutorial. Some of the downsides are that, when taking a slip, you''ll have to raise the dink vertically...and I''ve seen some pretty hairy events when a squall hits a boat with a dink stored in this fashion. (Keep in mind it''s smaller boats which tend to use this method because they are the ones for which davits and on-deck storage options aren''t possible). As I recall, Aubrey also describes an incident on the North Sea where the system failed in some fashion and led to some exciting moments.

In settled conditions and coastal or interisland sailing, this strikes me as a clever approach for the smaller boat. Just when secure stowage becomes critical - offshore or in tough weather - is IMO where the limitations of this system appear.

Jack

[Johnrb]

Faith:

The Millards gave a presentation of their travels at the Toronto boat show two years ago. I do remember Aubrey speaking very favourably about the dinghy towing arrangement - with respect to ease of use, how it handled different weather condidtions and the fact the outboard motor would be out of the water and close to the cockpit (for theft deterence). I don''t recall any specific make though.

If time permits, you could try and contact the Millards through (http://searoom.com/contact.htm) and ask the inquiry be forwarded. I did speak with Aubrey and they both seemed genuinely helpful. It may be a while before you get an answer though as I believe they are presently crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Good luck

John