Seawise Davits and oars

[JackConnick]

Our Grand Banks 36 came with an Avon Cadet 0' dinghy and a Seawise davit system. The davit hinges weren't installed well and we replaced them so it works better.
But one problem arose in that the dinghy "hinge sockets" blocks the use of the oar on that side. The oarlock is too short to clear. Sometimes we want to just row a short way to take a line to shore, etc. About the best we can do is to take it off (slowly unscrewing the knob) and moving it outside the hinge.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix/workaround this?
TIA,
Jack

 

[firehoser75]

I had a manual Seawise system and a Titan brand rigid inflatable dinghy (aluminum hull) and never experienced that problem. Maybe you are having issues with a poor installation (based on your other comments about the hinges)???
My experience was basically flawless operation, and I really liked this system despite the issue of some limitation on vision aft and the column blocking exit off one side of the swim grid. We never found either of those "issues" to be a real problem for us.
Other than reinstalling/relocating the components on your inflatable, I don't have any other suggestions. Sorry.

 

[Comodave]

We put in a Seawise system on a previous boat. Never experienced what you are describing. We loved the Seawise system.

 

[dhays]

I have a Seawise davit and both my 10' RIB and my 10' Gig Harbor Boatworks Navigator rowing dinghy are fitted with the clips for the davits. No issues.

My guess is that there is a way to install them on your boat that wouldn't interfere with your use of the oars.

 

[JackConnick]

I like the system except for this problem. It seems like if you lowered the placement of the clips on the dinghy, you wouldn't be able to clip it in.

 

[dhays]

I like the system except for this problem. It seems like if you lowered the placement of the clips on the dinghy, you wouldn't be able to clip it in.

Here is a photo of mine in place. If you zoom I you can see the clips. The clips on my boat are designed so that not being used, they fold 90° and then drop down so they are about flush with the gunnel.

 

[JackConnick]

Its a completely different set up on an inflatable tube RIB, plus we have a very low swim platform.

 

[dhays]

Its a completely different set up on an inflatable tube RIB, plus we have a very low swim platform.

Sorry, I made the assumption that it was a rowing dinghy not a RIB.

On my RIB, the pads are low enough and spaced such that they don't interfere with the oars as well. Your only option would be to remove the existing pads and move them or replace them. However, removing them without ruining the pads or the tube would be tough.

 

[firehoser75]

Agree with Dave and Comodave. I suspect that whoever did the installation on your RIB and boat did not know what they were doing?? I could row my RIB with no problem, the Seawise pads and clips did not get in the way at all. I don't have any photos of my installation, and have since sold the boat so no help there.
Removing the pads and either reinstalling (or installing new ones) is probably your only option, and if you are not handy or don't really understand how the system works, then maybe hiring someone who is would be a good idea. Your RIB's tubes will at the minimum show a "mark" where the old pads were previously installed.
When properly installed with the dinghy secured, these systems work great and are very convenient.

 

[JackConnick]

Yeah, the whole install was messed up. Looks like they had a hard dingy and just replaced it with the RIB. We had to get taller mounts and move them around on the swim platform to get it so it didn't drag in the water. And Seawise is pretty proud of their parts. I'm not going to get into moving the pads. Next dinghy. PO was a cheap*ss.

 

[Comodave]

We had an inflatable when we got the Seawise so it is possible to do but agree that the PO must have messed it up. They are custom built for the swim platform and the individual dinghy.