"Foredeck davits mount through the deck into a standpipe, which attaches to a base plate on the second deck below and is usually hidden inside a closet," Byrd says. "You then must measure from where the pipe goes through the deck to the side of the boat, then add half of the beam of the tender and a few extra inches for clearance. This number is your deployment reach requirement."
That number tells you how far the boom of the davit must reach out to clear the side of the boat and allow you to lower the skiff to the water's surface. It's also critical to place the cradles along this same arc of movement so the davit can delicately drop the skiff back in place when you're done using it.
"These considerations are all a function of the length and angle of the davit's boom," Byrd adds. The angle becomes critical when you have to lift the skiff over a bow rail. If the boom can't lift the skiff high enough to clear the rail, you've got problems.
Another major factor in the equation is how the boom picks up the skiff. "It's critical to establish the tender's center of gravity and lift it from that point so it rises level from the deck cradle," says Byrd. Some skippers use a metal bar with adjustable lifting chains or straps hanging from either end of it to get a perfect center-of-gravity fit. But that means carrying around and stowing a big metal bar. Opt for custom-built lifting straps that precisely match your tender's length and evenly distribute its weight to ensure a level pickup.
At this year's Miami International Boat Show, the Maverick Boat Company displayed a 15-foot skiff with an innovative new lifting design built expressly for the tender market. Maverick placed four stainless-steel lifting eyes inside the cockpit of the skiff — two on the forward bulkhead, and two on the aft — and Florida Rigging & Hydraulics custom-built four lifting straps out of super-strong Spectra material. Sewn in precise lengths, the straps distribute the skiff's weight perfectly among the four lifting eyes.
One of the most important aspects of carrying a tender around on your foredeck involves making sure it stays put while underway. The cradles that hold your skiff to the deck are usually mounted atop structural bulkheads beneath the foredeck, but you also need to consider where to place four tie-down straps. Nobody likes the idea of a tender flying up onto the flybridge when the big boat plunges into a wave.
A good tie system consisting of custom-made cradles (left) and tie-down straps ensures a secure fit. You don't want to trust your expensive flats skiff — or your flybridge for that matter — to screws and glue.
Because of the tremendous forces involved, you need to think long and hard about where to place the tie-downs and how you will attach them. A surprising number of people simply use self-tapping screws and some 5200 Adhesive Sealant to hold the attaching hardware to the deck simply because they don't want to take down the headliner to attach backing plates. Some manufacturers will glass into the foredeck metal plates that you can tap into to secure the cradles. If you don't have them, get them — unless you have more faith in screws and glue than I do.
After a brushing up on a bit of geometry, you'll find that installing a davit and cradle makes exploring the surroundings of your exotic port of call a much more convenient and enjoyable experience.
Manufacturers
Florida Rigging & Hydraulics
www.rigginghydraulics.com
MarQuipt
www.marquipt.com
Maverick Boat Company
www.maverickboats.com
