Dink

[Sunset]

I don't see many small boats (28 foot) like I'm building with davits. Is there a reason that's not obvious to a new cruiser like me?
I would probably build a spindrift 11 by B&B yacht designs. I have already built 2 spindrift 12's and a nesting 10.

Scott

[CharlieJ]

Too much weight in the stern Scott. My thought anyway. I know it would REALLY bring Tehani down- she's already stern heavy with just normal cruising stuff.

[rorik]

Weight, windage, can't set up a wind vane for self steering, etc.
And, this is just me, but it makes the stern look like the back porch on a single wide....  ;D

[Grime]

There is a guy in our marina that plans on putting on a dinghy davit, radar and frame. To finish it off a wind generator. This is all going on a Tartan 26. Maybe his 85 gallons of water storage under the v berth will balance out the boat.

His has to carry a lot of water for his bathtub.  :o

I'll have you ask him how much he is going to raise the water line.

[Sunset]

I'll ask the designer what he thinks ;) also. He'll probably say no go, he's always worried about speed. I'll have to remind him it's a cruising boat not a racer.
As for looks, I don't think personally, it looks any worst than vane steering rig Rurik.
I was thinking of covering the top of it with solar panels also. To get more out of it than just a dink holder.
I'm not saying it is something I should install on a 28 footer, but the design is a bit beamy, 9'9" for a 28. Maybe it will be able to carry the stern weight and maybe not. I really don't have a clue.
I was just wondering the pro's and con's of a davit on a small craft.

[rorik]

I suppose I should have been more specific, sorry, my fault. I was mentally comparing something that looks like this:
http://www.whiteakeryachtsales.com/BoatImages/L276-45-Island-Packet-445-Center-Cockpit-Stern-Arch-Dinghy-Solar-Panels-19.JPG

vs. something that looks like this:
http://www.nota.org/Kudu/CD-from-side.jpg

which I put a deposit on this morning.   ;)
I can hardly wait.

[Sunset]

That vane looks nice and compac, what kind is it? I have only seen the ones that have braces going out from several points. Maybe they where home made design. I saw one on a transit sailboat at Kentucky lake that looked like play ground monkey bars.

Congrads on the new boat.

[Seafarer]

Looks like a Cape Horn? Good vane, great warranty (27,000 miles or 1 circumnavigation, whichever comes first!)

[Oldrig]

Yep, I'm pretty sure that's a Cap Horn.

I've been lusting after one of them myself. A great vane!

[rorik]

It is indeed a Cape Horn.       www.capehorn.com
Here's the rest of the info on that particular boat and the owners install of the CapeHorn wind vane.
I have an identical boat and am getting an identical vane. The pictures are missing the vane which goes in the curved piece at the very top and the teak rudder which is attached to the bottom of the SS tube with the little "hook".

[Oldrig]

Rorik,

Do you have a CD28? (I can't remember.)

If so, I have a friend with the same model. He installed a Cape Horn last year and loves it. He also said that the company, especially Yves, the inventor, was very helpful when it came to installation.

--Joe

[rorik]

Yes, a `79 CD28 named Mathilda. And Yves has been a great help in making my decision.