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Steelhead Davit

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by motoryachtlover, Jul 11, 2018.

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  1. motoryachtlover, Jul 11, 2018
    #1
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Any of the forum members have experience with Steelhead Davits and the Dealer Bullhead Marine in Stuart? Am contemplating Steelhead’s ES1000 with full hydraulic function working off of 24V. I am mainly after durability/reliability. Is the 355 degree rotation more problems? I will be paying more for this davit than the YRM davit but i am getting hydraulic rotation and the major components (boom, pedestal, and hinge point for boom) are sheathed in fiberglass. I believe I am understanding that correctly. That interests me because my experience is that you have to paint exterior aluminum every 5 years or so. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
  2. Capt Ralph, Jul 11, 2018
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Dennis @ Bullhead Marine is a great guy to work with. He will know more than the factory reps on these davits also.
    I have rebuilt a customers troubled SteelHead 1500 with power rotation. That's when I met Dennis.
    He helped us correct an original install Fubar by Hatteras and straighten out the poor and incorrect support from the Mfg's tech reps in Canada.

    Were working on an old Marquip 1500 now. Different designs but one LARGE similarity. Both were engineered to be PIA's to service.
  3. motoryachtlover, Jul 11, 2018
    #3
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Thanks for your reply. Are you saying that the newer steelheads are a PIA to service? Is there a hydraulic davit that you know of that is service friendly? if I am understanding it correctly the hyd pump and motor and solenoids will be in the interior of the boat with the hyd lines going up through the deck to the davit. Other than the serviceability do you think the steelhead is a quality davit? Thanks again for your time.
  4. Cruz, Jul 11, 2018
    #4
    Cruz

    Cruz Member

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    After a great deal of research, particular to our application of course, we had Hinckley Stuart install the ES1000 for us in January. We were thrilled with the quality of the install and while it's only been in service for just over six months, we have been thrilled with the davit so far - and it got quite a workout during our recent trip to the Exumas. I'll send you a note with some more info
  5. Capt Ralph, Jul 11, 2018
    #5
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I meant to say it is a PIA to service, Yes. Marquip is also. Probably all of them.
    The hydraulic pump on the inside is a plus over other mfg's.
    The hydraulic solenoids are on the outside for the Steelhead units. Mixing alloy, steel & stainless steel together in a covered oven. Also 355 degree turn, It can not keep going round and round,
    Broward Davits seemed a lil easier to work on with a remote pump also. Hydraulic solenoids are on the inside but more lines going up to the base.
    http://www.browersystems.com/products/wc-series/
    Don't have to tear all down to replace the cable as SteelHead or Marquip.

    Service friendly?? By a service tech or a DIY owner?
    These are not for the DIY owner to service.

    However, as they all are, to justify the price tags, they all are quality davits. It's the service you need to keep the quality up and your liability on an authorized tech.

    Dennis would be a great tech to keep up any of these brands correctly serviced.
    Bullhead may have been the sub and installed Mr Cruz's equipment also (post #4 above).
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2018
  6. zen, Jul 11, 2018
    #6
    zen

    zen Member

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    I'm actually looking at a vessel that will need a davit installed. Anyone care to share the ballpark cost?
  7. motoryachtlover, Jul 12, 2018
    #7
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Cruz and Ralph thanks for the feedback. Zen the 1000lb 4 way hydraulic rotation is 25,500 installed. Electric davits are much less 15,000(???). Also if you take out hydraulic rotation you can probably get down to 23000 installed. The installed price includes the cost to wire them up as well. These prices don’t include sales tax.
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2018
  8. zen, Jul 12, 2018
    #8
    zen

    zen Member

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    Thanks about what I figured. Will check out Bullhead when the time comes.
  9. Capt Ralph, Jul 12, 2018
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I do luv the power rotation options. It makes the swinging of the RIB so much safer. Steel head uses a big gear ring and a hydraulic motor turns against it. From lack of past owners maintenance this ring gear turned into a rust factory and kept staining the deck. Gear was to be stainless but a hard grade and still rusted. Keeping grease on it is also a pia and another point not for a novice DIYer.
    I'm sure other mfg's have similar. Just another maintance point that my be unsafe for the DIYer.