www.iFourWinns.com

Sorry for the tease... no, it's not a V408 (yet). I bought a 2009 Achilles LSI-290 inflatable (9'6" LOA/5'2" Beam) with a Tohatsu 8hp engine at the boat show back in December and I finally have it!
Delivery and installation of a customized Weaver Davit system including a Weaver Lever swiveling engine mount happened today and I couldn't even be there to witness it (but got some pix). I'll be posting detailed pix of the install next week on the V358 thread.



I'm cruising Friday and anchoring out all weekend so I couldn't be happier with the timing

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Sierra!!!!!!!

Pictures of the davits. Man - that's a very similar setup that I am looking at. I'm looking at a Walker Bay air floor 10'2'' with a 6 horise Suzuki...

I really want to know the scoop on your davits -- the Weaver's. Did you get extensions/drop on the snap davits? And where are your pads mounted on the inflatable.



Looks fantastic!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I promise - full details and pix coming after the weekend. I left the design and installation to the professionals after making it clear what I was looking for. I sent them very detailed measurements, diagrams and pictures of the swim platform so they could choose the needed parts and mount the pads prior to delivery and installation. The boat is hours away from their dealership so they set out to get it exactly right the first time. They didn't see the boat until they showed up today and apparently everything went flawlessly -except- the standoff for the bow was too short so a new one is on the way. They rigged it so that won't stand in the way of traveling with the dinghy in the meantime.
Hopefully the parts list will hold you over 'till next week when I'll be able to better describe the setup...

Weaver Lever System - Kit
Weaver Adaptor Kit - Quick Release Shoes
Weaver Arc RBD100 Kit
Weaver Stand Off Brackets - out and down
Weaver SO24/30 Stand Off - bow support for inflatable

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Very nice set up

Thanks captkevin.
OK - two more shots. The person who was supervising for me yesterday fired off a few more pictures that give a good overall view of the setup while they were still getting it all together...

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Thank you for the pictures. How rugged are the mounts when you hit a wake?

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Dave
"Wasting Time"
2005 Four Winns 348 Vista
Noank CT
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Sierra,

Sorry, I've got one more question. How obtrusive are the mounting plates when you remove the davits?

Thanks,
Dave

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Dave
"Wasting Time"
2005 Four Winns 348 Vista
Noank CT
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I haven't seen it in person yet and will be running the boat with the setup for the first time this weekend so I'll be sure to report back! Incidentally, I just spoke with the installer who said he was very impressed with the thickness, construction and backing in the swim platform when he drilled through. He had no reservations about the sturdiness of the setup

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

The attatchment pads must be glued to the dinghy, correct?

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Correct Cap'n. They did that in their shop and let them set for several delays before delivery and installation of the davits. That's why I couldn't get the dinghy before my boat was splashed in April as I needed to measure the platform to waterline distance (19 1/2 inches with about 90% fuel and two people on board) before they could design the setup including where to glue the pads.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Thanks sierra. A question for you, if I may. Why did you chose this particular system over another, such as Hurley

An observation over the years, I see the majority of express cruisers in our area with Hurley , or similar type davits. The Weaver and St. Croix davits are usually fitted to aft cabin motoryachts. They are more suited to that style boat, because the boat itself blocks much of the wind that the dinghy will catch when stowed perpindicular to the water. The dinghy becomes sort of like a parachute when on an express. But I have seen them on a few express cruisers, and they are definately solidly built. If I had a bigger boat like you do, it might make more sense, but the low profile, ease of use, and how easily the davits can be quickly pulled from the swim platform, I think I would prefer one similar to the Hurley if I was to get one for our little 268.

Looking forward to seeing your finished set up !

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

The Hurley style sure looks easy to use, but we use our swim platform a lot. We were so concerned about cuts or stubbed toes we never installed davits on the Maxum 3000SCR. The swim platform on the maxum was under 24".

The larger FW swimplatform plus the removable davits seem to finally make it a reality. Seeing pictures of a professionally installed rig just might be the deal closer.

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Dave
"Wasting Time"
2005 Four Winns 348 Vista
Noank CT
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I have used the Hurley system myself, a couple of times, and it is as easy to use as it looks.
Like it shows, you can just loosen the tie downs, and let the dinghy hang off the back a little, so you can use the swimplatform. The brackets just pop off, so there are no toe stubbers, if you chose not to take the dinghy along sometime.

Anyway, I will like to see sierra's set up installed.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I'll look into the hurley system a little closer. Maybe try to find an installer in the CT area to check it out.

In the end I'm really looking to get the inflatable out of the water during the weekdays to keep the bottom scrubbing down to a minimum and make it easy enough to bring it along when we travel away from home port for the weekend. On the home port weekends, we would slide the inflatable back into the water behind the boat.

Thanks for the info.

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Dave
"Wasting Time"
2005 Four Winns 348 Vista
Noank CT
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Just a side note. I could not see sierra's pictures on my work computer, but now that I am home I can. It looks like the system should do the job well. Nice clean install.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy