dinghy lift with the mast and boom 36'

[brookesmith]

I actually took the mast and boom off my 36' as they didn't seem to have a real purpose. Of course removing them removed some of the coolness factor that the mast has. But, it was a pain getting into the covered slip constantly taking it down, Now we are taking our boat to the Bahamas 11-1-11 and will need to lift a dinghy aboard. I'm not a fan of letting the dink ride on the swim platform. But, that is very practical.
Any thoughts of using the mast and boom to lift a dink aboard? At least I wouldn't have to go through the expense of installing davits.. I will not have to be dropping the mast in the Bahamas.

[joe.baar]

Brooke,
Step the mast. Handling a dinghy on a boom must be easier than using those unsightly davits of whatever brand and it's surely more seamanlike. I also like to see my wake, which a tender on the swim step tends to obscure, apart from adding weight far aft where you don't need it.

[psneeld]

Used mine all summer to lift aboard, onto the dock, hang, etc..

No real place onboard to conveniently store a dingy on my 40 trawler....so I'm still working on permanent arrangement....

[brookesmith]

Thanks, I might put the mast & boom back on the boat. I really like NOT having them there. Davits are ~$1700 AND I already own the mast and boom...

[mike66]

If you have stowage space on board for the dingy, the boom is a good way to go. I have St Croix davits which came with the boat. Did use the boom last week to haul a new battery on board since I'm not that strong. Worked great.