Hurley H30 - Read all the posts TRIGGER TIME NOW

Maybe A Dancer

Became a Dancer 12/23/21
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Aug 20, 2021
1,295
Florida West Coast
Boat Info
Started out as MAYBE A DANCER
Became a Dancer - 12/23/21
Engines
450 DA Sundancer running CAT 3126
Hello All

I've read all the posts going back many years, and a lot has changed since the early days of CSR.

45' Sundancer

Would like the ability to have transom access at a marina when traveling with the dink.

Read about numerous bottom tube longevity issues when hauling vertical with the weight of the motor and motor swivel bracket attached

At age 65 now, have some Aorta issues, looking forward, the idea of the Hurley H30 davit with the swivel and hand crank winch seems ideal.

I have 14" from the swim platform to the water - don't see the H20 being a good fit for today, and it doesn't allow for any future expansion.

Currently running a 10' 2" Achilles air floor dink with a 2.5 HP Suzuki or an 8 HP 2 stroke Yamaha

That said, I'd like the option of perhaps moving into a heavier, more capable inflatable in the future, something with a rigid bottom, and would like the davit to be capable of handling that kind of weight.

(If I ever went heavy, I'd reinforce the transom first)

I hate the toe stubbers, but plastic insert/covers are available and at this point it's all a compromise, as is all boating.

Really leaning toward the Hurley H30 with the hand winch

I know it's been talked to death, but I do appreciate y'alls input on this.

BEST !

RWS
 
The H3O is not suitable for a nonrigid bottom dink. There is no bottom support. But as for a rigid bottom it's perfect. I have a Merc 320 with a 15hp and also use it with the H3O and the hand crank, super easy to load. A bit tricky removing the crank after it's loaded but still easy. I wouldn't plan on removing it when not in use, just rotate and flip forward.
 
Hello All

I've read all the posts going back many years, and a lot has changed since the early days of CSR.

45' Sundancer

Would like the ability to have transom access at a marina when traveling with the dink.

Read about numerous bottom tube longevity issues when hauling vertical with the weight of the motor and motor swivel bracket attached

At age 65 now, have some Aorta issues, looking forward, the idea of the Hurley H30 davit with the swivel and hand crank winch seems ideal.

I have 14" from the swim platform to the water - don't see the H20 being a good fit for today, and it doesn't allow for any future expansion.

Currently running a 10' 2" Achilles air floor dink with a 2.5 HP Suzuki or an 8 HP 2 stroke Yamaha

That said, I'd like the option of perhaps moving into a heavier, more capable inflatable in the future, something with a rigid bottom, and would like the davit to be capable of handling that kind of weight.

(If I ever went heavy, I'd reinforce the transom first)

I hate the toe stubbers, but plastic insert/covers are available and at this point it's all a compromise, as is all boating.

Really leaning toward the Hurley H30 with the hand winch

I know it's been talked to death, but I do appreciate y'alls input on this.

BEST !

RWS
Screw the hand winch. Get the electric, the hand version will send you to the grave in Florida heat. Remember you are multitasking when using a Hurley. You are holding weight, spinning and lowering all in span of a minute. The hand winch makes that a pain in the ass. I switched to the electric and will never go back. As a one man show it is the best solution.
 
Screw the hand winch. Get the electric, the hand version will send you to the grave in Florida heat. Remember you are multitasking when using a Hurley. You are holding weight, spinning and lowering all in span of a minute. The hand winch makes that a pain in the ass. I switched to the electric and will never go back. As a one man show it is the best solution.

While the electric would be nice for a wave runner like you have. But it's big time over kill for what I have. JMO.
 
The H3O is not suitable for a nonrigid bottom dink. There is no bottom support. But as for a rigid bottom it's perfect. I have a Merc 320 with a 15hp and also use it with the H3O and the hand crank, super easy to load. A bit tricky removing the crank after it's loaded but still easy. I wouldn't plan on removing it when not in use, just rotate and flip forward.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is an air floor dinghy with an inflatable keel.

It will actually plane - of course not when being pushed with the 2.5 HP Suzuki

Here's the drawing (attached)

Am I a candidate for the H30 for the time being with THIS dink?

BEST !

RWS
 

Attachments

  • Achilles_Dinghy_LSI310E-2023 DRAWING.pdf
    171.4 KB · Views: 76
I should add that the 14" waterline to swim platform distance likely takes the horizontal Hurley H20 out of the equation.

CSR members documented issues with vertical setups take me away from the consideration of the Weaver style vertical setup
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is an air floor dinghy with an inflatable keel.

It will actually plane - of course not when being pushed with the 2.5 HP Suzuki

Here's the drawing (attached)

Am I a candidate for the H30 for the time being with THIS dink?

BEST !

RWS

One of the greatest things about Hurley is their customer service. Send them an email, tell them the exact make/model of your dinghy and they'll model the entire setup for you. It is over the top helpful...

I'll second the comment above about the hand crank. You owe it to yourself to get the electric winch. Hand cranking is not for the distinguished 65 year old with aorta issues :)
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is an air floor dinghy with an inflatable keel.

It will actually plane - of course not when being pushed with the 2.5 HP Suzuki

Here's the drawing (attached)

Am I a candidate for the H30 for the time being with THIS dink?

BEST !

RWS

The Hurley H3O is made for a rigid bottom. The dinghy will sit on ~2' of rail ~12" apart. Thats all of the support the dink will have. It then needs to be strapped down from the bow eye and the two transom eyes to the swim platform. If the dink is "rigid" enough to be able to withstand that, you won't have it for very long.

I don't know of any transom mounted system that will work for a non-rigid bottom. Most with non-rigid bottoms pull the dink up on the bow.
 
I should add that the 14" waterline to swim platform distance likely takes the horizontal Hurley H20 out of the equation.

CSR members documented issues with vertical setups take me away from the consideration of the Weaver style vertical setup

I would say that is about the max distance. Mine is about that and I need to lift the bow up on the H3O and I tie off the bow line and then put the crank in and crank up and swivel in place.

I also made up a fixed cable with clasp for the bow eye. So once that is clipped on I remove the crank. The push back and strap on the the other two tie downs. I also use the inside lifting rings and strap back to the transom. I get a lot of water roll back when at slow speeds ~10 knots.
 
The Hurley H3O is made for a rigid bottom. The dinghy will sit on ~2' of rail ~12" apart. Thats all of the support the dink will have. It then needs to be strapped down from the bow eye and the two transom eyes to the swim platform. If the dink is "rigid" enough to be able to withstand that, you won't have it for very long.

I don't know of any transom mounted system that will work for a non-rigid bottom. Most with non-rigid bottoms pull the dink up on the bow.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Meaning= lost or damaged

I'm assuming damaged - correct?
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Meaning= lost or damaged

I'm assuming damaged - correct?

If you get the H30+ there are four supporting legs, two of which are adjustable. Call or email Hurley. They're the only ones that can tell you whether or not the H30 will work reliably with your dink...
 
I watched a boat anchored down from us in the Exumas try to operate their H3O in sea conditions and they really struggled ending up not loading the RIB and towing it. It always amazes me the videos of all the davit arrangements showing operation in glass smooth water. My advice being through about every sea condition with dinghies is to prioritize the conditions you intend to use the davit system then select your system.
 
I watched a boat anchored down from us in the Exumas try to operate their H3O in sea conditions and they really struggled ending up not loading the RIB and towing it. It always amazes me the videos of all the davit arrangements showing operation in glass smooth water. My advice being through about every sea condition with dinghies is to prioritize the conditions you intend to use the davit system then select your system.

Can confirm...it's nearly impossible to load in anything more than 1-2' rollers. And at 2' rollers it's a two man job to keep the dink from swinging into the abyss...

I'm not sure this is much different than most davits though? Once it gets rough enough you're pretty well hosed with anything other than a hydraulic platform I figure...
 
As another suggestion is to consider how fast you can cut the dinghy loose with the intent of using it as a safety device or get it off the boat in an emergency.

:)

upload_2023-2-27_9-25-30.png
 
Can confirm...it's nearly impossible to load in anything more than 1-2' rollers. And at 2' rollers it's a two man job to keep the dink from swinging into the abyss...

I'm not sure this is much different than most davits though? Once it gets rough enough you're pretty well hosed with anything other than a hydraulic platform I figure...
I'd say the reason I went with the system I have (Presto XL500) is because it is the easiest in normal sea states (which are rough for most davit systems) and manageable in bigger waters.
All I'm saying is to consider the environment the davit is intended to operate in....
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Meaning= lost or damaged

I'm assuming damaged - correct?

Actually the tie down with a soft bottom. The dink may not be able to support the force the straps put on it. So yes, it may permanently damage the dink by popping a seem over time. Just the weight of the dink itself being on the H3O platform and running through wave(s) would cause bouncing as well and may damage it.

I would never consider a soft bottom dink and trying to put it on the platform in any way except laying it on it's side and tying it to the transom. Of course that means pulling and storing the engine every time.
 
This dink was purchased new 3 years ago for my 10 meter, and was easily tied to the transom for overnights to nearby spots along the gulf coast.

The beauty of the Achilles Sport air floor/keel model is the ability to plane with a lightweight dink that can be easily stored when not in use.

Plus I did not have to add any toe stubbers to the swim platform.

Moving up to the 450 DA and reducing my working hours, with more time off opens up a larger cruising area............... perhaps something like THE FLORIDA LOOP, a side trip to the Bahamas with aspirations for perhaps the GREAT LOOP sometime in the future - AGLCA# 30164 - This is a wonderful organization.

In this case we need the dink for occasional use, but boarding access is mission critical.

With the 1995-1998 450DA the only real access is via the transom/swim platform or the transom step (which was eliminated on the 1999+ 460 models that came after the 450)

At this hour, I don't think I'm ready for the additional storage issues that would be created with a hard bottom dink, however that may change after doing the Florida Loop.

I'll take some photos and measurements tonight and send them off to Hurley for an opinion.

Perhaps I need to reconsider the Weaver option of a vertical mount and keep the motor OFF the dink during transport, Choosing this route exclusively with the Suzuki 2.5 HP @ 29 lbs and stowing it under the aft bench seat.

Otherwise, I have legitimate concerns for the Hurley H20 model with the 14" transom to water height, as I'm not getting any younger and my focus is to continue as an active boater until I take my last breath.

I am a strong, fit, 65-year old man, however the aortic aneurism is a concern for any strenuous lifting.

The sharing of your wealth of knowledge is most appreciated.

BEST !

RWS
 

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