I have a Garhauer 1 1/4"davit system, which I installed 2 years ago. To answer your major question, I'd install your stainless steel version. In my opinion, you'll find the higher the dinghy the better, within reason. If it's high, like mine, and you keep your outboard mounted on the dinghy, it's very unlikely that the engine will touch the water when on a hard tack with the rail in the water. Also, I have a 10 ft inflatable with a heavy plywood floor and a 9.9hp outboard. The outboard end is quite heavy and the higher the line to lift it the better; you'll be able to put some of your weight into it while pulling.
I originally installed the davit system without any bracing on the stern rail. It worked ok, but I wasn't happy with the stern rail flex when I hoisted the dinghy and in rough seas. Garhauer provided some additional bracing, which were designed to attach to the stern rail and brace down to the transom. The angle is too acute to provide any real bracing, so I didn't install them. However, I was able to modify those braces to attach directly to the vertical section of the davit and brace it forward just outside the coaming and inside the toe rail. Now, it's rock solid. I've attached some pictures of my installation that may be useful.
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File comment: Davits with solar panel
2015-12-05 10.02.45.jpg [ 931.64 KB | Viewed 0 times ]
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File comment: Davit attachment to transom
2015-12-05 10.03.23.jpg [ 650.2 KB | Viewed 0 times ]
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File comment: Forward brace; one on each side
2015-12-05 10.07.09.jpg [ 900.71 KB | Viewed 0 times ]
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File comment: Forward brace attached to davit
2015-12-05 10.06.17.jpg [ 1.16 MB | Viewed 0 times ]
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File comment: Forward brace attachment between coaming and toe rail
2015-12-05 10.06.45.jpg [ 726.89 KB | Viewed 0 times ]
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_________________ Jim Voelxen Odyssey #191 Home Port: Osterville, MA
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