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Dual foredeck cradle on Ocean 66SS

Discussion in 'Ocean Yacht' started by SMR-PILOT, Jun 22, 2014.

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  1. SMR-PILOT

    SMR-PILOT Member

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    May 30, 2013
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    Location:
    Santa Marta, Colombia
    Does anyone have any experience on installing an additional cradle on the foredeck of a Sportfish? I bought a 13 foot AB inflatable for my 66 Ocean, but I would love to also be able to carry my jet ski with me. I´ve seen a few boats on the internet with capacity for 2 jet skis, but I´m not sure if my boat can handle the weight on deck of the dinghy plus the jet ski. Should I stay away from the idea and just tow my jet ski around?
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You can't tow a jet ski around, fast anyways, at cruise the water running into the intake grate of the jet will actually flood the jet ski engine. It's possible to put both up there, and the fore-deck probably can support it with proper placement. Having that much weight up there will definately negatively impact ride though......and is it really worth doing? You'd be better off towing a boat behind you, and putting the waverunner on the bow.

    I'd much rather tow a 25' center console behind the sportfish (or larger), and putting the waverunner on the bow. Then you have a very useful tender for just about anything.......fishing, quick dive-trip while the house stays at the dock, beaches, towables, etc......
  3. BJG

    BJG New Member

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    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    I have two Sea Doo's that we tow around frequently. As Capt J mentioned, if you don't cut off the water intake, you can cause damage to engines. We carry a pair of vice grips and clamp off the intake hoses.

    I had the front tow hooks reinforced so we can tow them fast, otherwise you can rip the hook right out of the bow of the ski. I tow ours in line off the back center of the boat. I had the local rigger at West Marine make a towing bridal that hooks to the two lifting eyes on the back of the first ski, and goes back to the front of the second ski. We often cruise at 20 knots with them behind the big boat. the plane nicely and we have never had an issue.

    The key is to clamp the water intakes, and reinforce the tow hooks, or you will have damage.... its easy and cheap to do... couple hundred bucks per ski.

    Something else you need to consider is if you put a second toy on your bow, you need to make sure your davit will reach and adequately pick up the weight. if you have to purchase a specialized davit, it will most likely change your mind about putting anything else on the bow... as they are extremely expensive.

    I also have a 19' center console that we occasionally tow behind the boat. We also had a special tow hook made for the bow of the center console so we can tow it. if you rely on the little bow hook that is on the boat now, you will certainly rip it out. they are there to tie down and secure, not tow with lots of pressure. We can tow the center console also at 18 - 20 knots with the right configuration. I also went to the rigger at West Marine and had a heavy capacity tow line made up for it... works great, boat rides on the up hill portion of 3rd wake... Again, reinforcing or installing a good tow hook is key.

    Hope this helps.
  4. SMR-PILOT

    SMR-PILOT Member

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    Location:
    Santa Marta, Colombia
    O think I might just tow the dinghy and carry the jet ski onboard. The dingy has an aluminum hull and good tow hooks. You're right about the davit, that's something I think will make it impossible to have 2 toys up there.
  5. SMR-PILOT

    SMR-PILOT Member

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    both the Jet-ski and dinghy wiegh a total of 1300 pounds. That's equivalente to 8 people standing on the foredeck. Would that affect the stability much?
  6. BJG

    BJG New Member

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    I would not think that 1300# would effect a 66' boat. In my case, our Sea Doo is approx.. 1,050# with fuel, and our 14' dinghy is virtually the same with fuel. So combined I was looking at potentially 2100#

    As I mentioned prior, the other reason we did not consider it was due to the davit. I would have upgrade from our current one to handle the different positions, but it was also questionable if the current one was located in the right place on the deck to start with.

    One other concern I have that you may not is the construction of the deck. Ocean is not known for over building anything, and am concerned our 63' may not structurally handle the weight in rough seas. That is a lot of weight on the feet of the chocks, concentrated in small area.

    Hope this helps,
  7. SMR-PILOT

    SMR-PILOT Member

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    Location:
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    seems to have worked OK so far.

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