Davits an upgrade?

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Daddio Rick
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Joined: 11/13/19
Posts: 37
Davits an upgrade?

I am looking for different ways to upgrade a new to me Catalina 36 1995 MarkII. Someone has recently given me a set of professionally built davits. The davits also came with a 120 watt Kyocera solar panel the connects across the top. I'm just curious in terms of the rest of the Catalina community. Would davits be considered an upgrade on a boat like this? I'm asking because even as I use this new to me boat I want to keep an eye to the future in terms of potential resale. Thanks for any opinions expressed here. Rick

Indigo, 1995 MKII, Charleston SC, SR/WK

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pkeyser
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Joined: 5/18/13
Posts: 659

Because davits add to a boat's functionality, and versitility I think they are a plus for resale. However if they have an appearance of having been designed for a Star Wars movie set, then they may detract from the value.

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

Andrew McGregor
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Joined: 10/4/18
Posts: 4

We have Davits on our boat and intend to attach a solar panel to the top of the davits this spring. I have attached a pisture of the davits on the boat. 

Andrew McGregor

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KevinLenard
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Joined: 1/28/15
Posts: 209

No.  Dinghy davits are hugely expensive and nothing but a detriment to any boat.  Same for those superb solar panels and convenient mounts.  Almost nobody has them on their boats and those who do are all planning on removing them post haste.  Please send me your address and I will have someone come by and take them off your hands immediately.  Don't even think twice. 

Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada

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LeslieTroyer
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Joined: 3/13/16
Posts: 533

Love my davits.  I wish I could put a solar array on them but my marina will charge me more and Kick me out of my slip if I do.  (Too long overall).  

 

Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo 
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor. 

Commodore

 

pierview
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Joined: 9/27/09
Posts: 582

I think the answer hinges on if you'd use the davits. If your cruising, then davits might come in handy but if not, they tend (in my mnd) to get in the way if you have a walk-thru stern.

If your not going to use them, keep the davits and when you want to sell, include them as a plus (uninstallled) for the buyer.

In the interest of full discloser, I don't have davits but my friends do on their C 36. I'm 6'3" and just looking at their set-up, I think I'd have problems using the swim ladder with the davits  since, even with the dinghy not hanging there, there tend to be lines hanging around back there.

Just my opinion.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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William Matley
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Joined: 1/15/08
Posts: 166

My davits were made by Kato.
They hold my 260 Watt solar pannel and the dinghy with a 6 HP, 4 stroke engine.
One of the best upgrades I made to my boat.

I personally don't care a bit about resale value. I don't intend to sell my boat until I'm done boating.

 

Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252

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two-rocks
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Joined: 8/11/17
Posts: 74

Counter point. I think they are not desirable, opposite in fact - and would not have them. But the price is right on yours.

I put a weaver system on - removes in seconds, but with the dinghy on looks as hideous as any davit system. For any stern system, our boats being smaller, the dinghy goes on deck for offshore stuff. Does fine in 4-6' chop small craft advisory afternoon sailing.

I like flexible solar and have 330w, that weighs under 15lbs on the canvas. No monkey bars needed. If we need more, I'd consider 'wings' on the sides on the cockpit, that can be optimized for sun angles.

As with anything, trade offs......

 

 

Daddio Rick
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Joined: 11/13/19
Posts: 37

Sorry to say that I never close the communication loop on this. I appreciate all the input. I will probably go ahead and put the spare on that I got for free :-) doubt I would have paid to buy some

Indigo, 1995 MKII, Charleston SC, SR/WK

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Sojourn
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Joined: 7/14/08
Posts: 163

I don't use them for several reasons.  The older C-36 tend to swat under motor and the leveraged weight of the davits, outboard, and dinghy exacerbates the situtation.  I have solar panels, a necessity when curising for weeks at a time in the wilderness areas of the Great Lakes.  They are mounted on a bracket on the transom.  They are out of the way while boarding.

As for dinghy storage unway I store on the bow.  I have rigged pad eyes near the bow to attach snatch blocks to.  They are part of a hoisting rig using the windless to raise and lower the dinghy overboard.  I have attached a photo.  It is old as some of the items have been replaced, namely the radar, and grill.

Lou Bruska

Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 Mk-I TR #495
Eldean Shipyard
Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) Lake Michigan
Rallyback@comcast.net

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