Dinghy Tie Downs

I am using stainless turnbuckles to avoid movement but I am putting snap shackles at either end with a t-handle pull on the release so it would be easy for anyone to pull and release in an emergency. They are easy to clip back on to the eyes so for daily use I think they will be a good solution

https://www.ronstan.com/marine/product.asp?ProdNo=RF6320
I am using stainless turnbuckles to avoid movement but I am putting snap shackles at either end with a t-handle pull on the release so it would be easy for anyone to pull and release in an emergency. They are easy to clip back on to the eyes so for daily use I think they will be a good solution

https://www.ronstan.com/marine/product.asp?ProdNo=RF6320
are you having them custom made or building yourself?
 
I am using stainless turnbuckles to avoid movement but I am putting snap shackles at either end with a t-handle pull on the release so it would be easy for anyone to pull and release in an emergency. They are easy to clip back on to the eyes so for daily use I think they will be a good solution

https://www.ronstan.com/marine/product.asp?ProdNo=RF6320

Mine has the same snap shackle and you still need to take tension off or loosen the turnbuckle to release it. In other words, if the boat's pulling the dinghy down with it you won't get it free.
 
Only problem again with turnbuckles is you have to be spot on with your dinghy sitting on the Davits
My dinghy weighs 650+ lbs it’s not easy to move it an inch or two using our crane especially when the wind and waves kick up and we need to get it loaded
 
are you having them custom made or building yourself?
Buying myself, the distance is close so a regular 5/16 turnbuckle will work for my setup
 
Mine has the same snap shackle and you still need to take tension off or loosen the turnbuckle to release it. In other words, if the boat's pulling the dinghy down with it you won't get it free.
If that is the case then I won’t go with that set up. I want to be able to break it free if needed in an emergency. The snap shackle are supposed to be able to release under tension but it sounds like they don’t. I have the parts and intend to work on it this weekend so I will report back on how I make out.
 
Only problem again with turnbuckles is you have to be spot on with your dinghy sitting on the Davits
My dinghy weighs 650+ lbs it’s not easy to move it an inch or two using our crane especially when the wind and waves kick up and we need to get it loaded
I agree that it needs to be spot on. I fitted the dingy on the lift the other night and when the lift is all the way down the dingy can just slide over the chocks and I was able to make small adjustments (1” either way)back and forth very easily. It will be more difficult if there is some wave action but I think with the lift it will work. I am heading down this weekend to work on the system so I will report back what I find.
 
If that is the case then I won’t go with that set up. I want to be able to break it free if needed in an emergency. The snap shackle are supposed to be able to release under tension but it sounds like they don’t. I have the parts and intend to work on it this weekend so I will report back on how I make out.

Let me know what you find, maybe mine needs some maintenance since it's been on there for a few years.
 
Only problem again with turnbuckles is you have to be spot on with your dinghy sitting on the Davits
My dinghy weighs 650+ lbs it’s not easy to move it an inch or two using our crane especially when the wind and waves kick up and we need to get it loaded

I agree - you have to be within the adjustment range of the turnbuckles - so that is about 3 inches max.

Agreed on the difficulty positioning with the wind blowing and the boat rocking.

I have my line up marks when I float the dinghy on the chocks. 90+% of the time I am ok, within the 3 inches.

If I miss it, I put the front tie down on, drop the swim platform back in the water until the dinghy starts floating - pull back on a line tied to the dinghy. In the 10% of the time I had to take this step alignment was always resolved.

This was not the case with my previous boat. Had the same chocks and tie down system, but was much more difficult. Would spend significant time getting the dinghy lined up. Not totally sure why it was different. This swim platform is more robust, maybe that's it. I don't know for sure.
 
Doc, I’m not here to bash your choice but if you look at the specs of your straps the WWL (working load limit)is rated at 166lbs which means it should be used to tie anything down that weighs more than 166 lbs the Working load is in the 500lb range which is the force at which any part of the assembly will fail.
So unless your securing an air floor dinghy with no motor I’d up the rating on those straps. Unless the link is an example and not actual. Some info to help others.
 
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I didn’t get the stern turnbuckles on yet because I need to mount new padeyes so that the stern turnbuckles are pulling the boat forward and bow is pulling it backwards. I got the bow one set up and I think it will work well. Time will tell when I am not in a quite marina if I can get it in the right position but I think I will be able to. I have a reference mark on the tube and it is only about 2” away from the hydraulic ram so if I center the mark not the ram shaft I am good. The snap shackles do release under load so I think this will work in an emergency as well.
 
Interesting idea. How well does it work when the tie down is taut? Will the ring you are pulling stand up to the force?
 
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Here are a few pics of the stern tie downs. From a push/pull test it seems to be not going anywhere. I will see how it fairs in rough seas.
I need to work on the pad for the motor to rest on next.
 
View attachment 69643 View attachment 69644 Here are a few pics of the stern tie downs. From a push/pull test it seems to be not going anywhere. I will see how it fairs in rough seas.
I need to work on the pad for the motor to rest on next.

Looks good. I used a piece of thin starboard that I believe was about 1/4" thick. I went into the the shop at my marina to see what scrap they had lying around, and just cut it from that. I'm headed to the boat in just a bit, and will try to remember to take a pic.

-Tom
 
Looks good. I used a piece of thin starboard that I believe was about 1/4" thick. I went into the the shop at my marina to see what scrap they had lying around, and just cut it from that. I'm headed to the boat in just a bit, and will try to remember to take a pic.

-Tom

That’s exactly what I made last week at home . I just got it mounted

FFBFF989-3DDE-4AF8-A4AF-3B00B2A13A2F.jpeg
 
View attachment 69643 View attachment 69644 Here are a few pics of the stern tie downs. From a push/pull test it seems to be not going anywhere. I will see how it fairs in rough seas.
I need to work on the pad for the motor to rest on next.


Great setup. Do those tiedowns have to be tightened with the turnbuckle every time you connect them? Or do the snap shackles tighten things up when you close them?
 
Great setup. Do those tiedowns have to me tightened with the turnbuckle every time you connect them? Or do the snap shackles tighten things up when you close them?
The turnbuckles have to be loosened a bit and then tightened back up with the turnbuckle each time. I do 95% tightening by hand and then give it a turn with a wrench that fits on the turnbuckle.
 

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