Definition
A davit is a hinged or articulated crane mounted on a yacht, used to launch and recover a tender, chase boat, or jet ski over the side. It transfers the load through a single hard point or a pair of hard points into the deck structure, lifting the boat clear of the chocks and lowering it controlled into the water.
Background and use
Davit choice follows tender weight. Three families dominate. Single-arm telescopic davits handle loads up to roughly two to three tonnes and suit jet skis, small day tenders, and rescue boats; they fold flush when not in use. Knuckle-boom (articulated) davits cover the four-to-six tonne band and offer the most flexibility, with multiple jointed segments that can position a tender precisely on the swim platform or out beyond the gunwale. A-frame davits handle the heaviest loads, eight to twelve tonnes and beyond, and are the standard choice for serious chase-boat duty.
Hydraulic actuation is universal at this scale. Manual davits exist on smaller sailing boats but have no place on superyachts. Most installations include proportional controls (smooth speed variation rather than on-off), wireless pendants, and load-monitoring sensors that alert the operator if the limit is approached. The control station is positioned where the operator can see the tender, the chocks, and the water, often at a wing position on the boat deck.
Davit operations are the highest-risk routine evolution on a yacht. A four-tonne tender swinging on a wire in any swell carries serious consequences if a control fails or a sling parts. Crew train specifically on davit handling, and most operators run two-person protocols with one operator and one safety watch.
Related considerations
- Specify SWL with margin above current and projected tender weight; davit upgrades require deck reinforcement.
- Hydraulic systems need annual service and pressure-test; budget accordingly.
- Slings and lifting bridles are consumables; inspect and replace per manufacturer schedule.
- Class certification of lifting appliances is a separate scope from hull and machinery; confirm coverage.
- Wave-compensated davits (active heave compensation) are emerging on expedition yachts; they add cost but expand the launching weather window.