Which davit?

[BillinPA]

We have a 9’6” Saturn inflatable with a 2.3 Honda outboard. Currently we put it deflated, under the aft seat of a 1999 340 dancer.
I’ve seen pics of different davits and they all look like they impede movement on the platform, especially getting on and off.
What about a dinghy sling?

 

[techmitch]

We have a 9’6” Saturn inflatable with a 2.3 Honda outboard. Currently we put it deflated, under the aft seat of a 1999 340 dancer.
I’ve seen pics of different davits and they all look like they impede movement on the platform, especially getting on and off.
What about a dinghy sling?

Sure would like to help but is a 99 or 05 340, big difference in swim platform height from the water?
PS updating your profile as to your boats power, drives, and your location would be to your advantage on many fronts.

 

[Stee6043]

We have a 9’6” Saturn inflatable with a 2.3 Honda outboard. Currently we put it deflated, under the aft seat of a 1999 340 dancer.
I’ve seen pics of different davits and they all look like they impede movement on the platform, especially getting on and off.
What about a dinghy sling?

The dinghy sling is the worst invention known to man. I know because I bought one and gave it the ole college try. One star, would not recommend, I almost had guilt reselling mine on Craigslist.

For your size dinghy I'd stick with one of the most simple davits - Weaver snap davits. These plus a mount for your motor on the platform. You can buy standoffs for the dinghy to keep it mostly vertical and you can position the motor mount just about anywhere you want.

The hooks aren't super invasive either. Not as toe-stub prone as many.

This was the weaver setup I had before moving to a different platform, different dinghy. That's a10'6 Zodiac hanging off it.

 

[Creekwood]

I agree with @Stee6043 that the weaver system is the best for keeping the platform clear. Also keeps the inside of the dinghy dry without using a cover. The weaver snap system is pricey new by the time you buy all the parts including the stand-off arms, but you can easily buy them used (other than the pads that need to be glued to the dinghy and are better new). This is my setup. I have the weaver "Arm" for the transom end which makes it much more stable on my fiberglass bottom dinghy. I mounted the longer kind of stand-off arms to the bottom of the back of the boat so they would be able to be stepped over.

 

[b_arrington]

I had a Weaver on my 270 AJ. It worked, but did block the stern. I had to rig a block and tackle to hoist up my RIB, otherwise it was too heavy to tip up. My biggest issue was removing/installing the 15 hp outboard motor every time I wanted to use the dinghy or swim ladder.

For my first Back Cove, I didn’t want to deal with these issues, and wanted no trip hazards on the swim platform. I chose the extended undermount davit from dinghydavits.com.
https://www.dinghydavits.com/products/under-mount-extended-davit

It keeps the dinghy flat, the engine mounted, and lots of access to the swim platform. The mounting arms come off for stowage, too.

 

[firecadet613]

Or keep your dinghy lying flat and still have a foot or so to move around (depending how wide your swim platform is). I'm not a fan of having to empty the dinghy out, remove the fuel tank and the motor...

Shameless plug as I've got them listed in the classifieds as well...

They are the same style as Brad's above - but they mount in the Weaver Quick Kit vs under the platform.

 

[skolbe]

I like my Hurley H20 davits on my 320. Similar platform as the 340 you have. Have to be a bit cautious coming off plane. But they are easy to load and I can get to shore power connection and transom locker.