Boat Davits in Pompano Beach, FL

Boat davits in Pompano Beach are a good fit for smaller boats: flats skiffs, jon boats, tenders and personal watercraft. A davit is a pair of arms, usually mounted to the seawall cap or the dock, that lift the boat with straps or cables and hold it out of the water. It takes up less room in the canal than a full lift and often costs less, which matters on narrow waterways.

How davits work

Two arms extend over the water, each with a cable or strap running to a winch. The straps go under the hull, or attach to lifting eyes on the boat, and the winch raises it clear of the water. Manual davits use a hand crank; electric models use a motor and a switch or remote. The arms swing, fold or stay fixed depending on the model.

Sizing and limits

Davits come in capacities from a few hundred pounds for a kayak or small tender up to several thousand pounds for a larger skiff. As with any lift, capacity should be based on the boat's real weight with motor, fuel, battery and gear, plus a margin. Long or heavy boats usually belong on a boat lift rather than a davit.

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The mount matters most

A davit puts all of its load into a small spot on the seawall cap or dock. That spot needs to be solid concrete or sound framing, with anchors sized for the load. On an older cap with cracks or spalling, mounting a davit can make damage worse. In Pompano Beach that wall may also be close to the City's 5-foot NAVD88 tidal flood barrier minimum, and any future cap raise will affect where the davit sits. We look at both before recommending a model.

Salt and corrosion

Aluminum and stainless are the usual materials, with sealed or protected winches for electric units. Rinsing after use, checking cables for broken strands and keeping the motor covered all extend their life. Cables and straps wear out long before the arms do and should be replaced on a schedule.

Permits

A davit mounted on the seawall still counts as work at the water's edge, and Broward County requires a license for work in, on, over or under its waters. Electric davits need an electrical permit for the wiring. Your city may require a building permit as well. We confirm the requirements for your address and include them in the estimate.

Davit or PWC lift?

For a single jet ski, a davit and a small PWC lift both work. A davit keeps the water clear in front of the wall; a floating PWC platform makes boarding easier. We will talk through both based on your space and how you use the craft.