Sailboat Davits
Davits are the difference between "quick dinghy in the water" and "reorganize the entire cockpit for two hours." Done right, you can launch and retrieve a 10-foot RIB with an outboard on it in under three minutes, single-handed. Done wrong, you rip a piece of the transom off in the first weather system. Here's how to think about davit choice, sizing, and reinforcement.
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Davit categories: pick one and commit
Three real categories: stern-arch integrated davits(built into a solar/radar arch, strongest and cleanest), fixed transom davits like the Kato Sea Wing (arms bolted to the transom), and flip-up plastic davits like Weaver Snap. Arch davits are the offshore answer; fixed arms are the mid-range pragmatic answer; snap davits are the coastal weekender answer.
Loads are bigger than they look
A 10-foot RIB with a 15 hp outboard weighs 200+ lb dry. Add seawater in the tubes plus the inertia of a passing wave slapping the dinghy up, and instantaneous loads can hit 800+ lb. This is why transom reinforcement, backing plates, and load-tested attachment is non-negotiable for any davit rated over 150 lb.
Offshore etiquette: davits do not go offshore full
Even the strongest davit system is not designed for a dinghy in place during a serious offshore passage. A quartering sea will eventually load the dinghy hard enough to break hardware or the transom itself. Serious offshore cruisers stow the dinghy on deck for passages, with davits used only for anchorage-hopping and short coastal legs.
Our picks
Kato Marine Sea Wing Davits
Best US-market fixed davits
Kato Sea Wings are the default choice for mid-size cruising sailboats specifying davits at commissioning. The geometry works — the dinghy hangs clear of the transom in normal conditions, and the aluminum arms are strong without being over-heavy. Backing plates in the transom are non-negotiable; a dinghy plus outboard hanging off a stern is 200+ lb of leverage on a wave.
- Capacity
- 300–500 lb depending on model
- Construction
- Anodized aluminum arms, stainless hardware
- Boat size
- 35–55 ft transoms
- Typical price
- $2,800–$4,200 for the arms; installation extra
Pros
- Well-engineered geometry that lifts the dinghy clear of prop-wash and following seas
- Solid US support and available in ready-to-fit and custom configurations
- Reasonable weight aloft compared to over-built stainless competitors
Cons
- Requires proper transom reinforcement — plan on adding backing plates or a full stern arch tie-in
- Fixed geometry means the dinghy hangs at one height; short-handed retrieval still requires a hoist system
Weaver Snap Davits
Best low-cost transom-mount davits
Weaver Snap Davits are the pragmatic answer for coastal cruisers who don't want to spend $4,000 on a proper davit system. The tradeoff is real: you're removing the outboard every time (which is fine at anchor but a nuisance on longer trips), and the dinghy sits close enough to the transom that quartering seas will bang it repeatedly. For coastal weekenders and short-hop cruisers, they're the correct answer.
- Capacity
- Rated to 150–200 lb (dinghy only, no outboard aboard)
- Construction
- Molded plastic pivot arms with stainless pins
- Boat size
- Transom-mount, most cruisers 28–45 ft
- Typical price
- $400–$700 per pair
Pros
- Massively cheaper than proper davit arms
- Simple installation on any transom with reasonable space
- Dinghy lifts vertically flush against the transom — minimal drag under sail
Cons
- Only rated for the dinghy itself — remove the outboard before hoisting
- Not a real offshore solution; a following sea will slap the dinghy against the transom
- Plastic arms have a service life; check pivots yearly
Garhauer LD-1000 Rail-Mount Davits
Best boom-style davits
Garhauer's stern-rail davits fit boats where a full stern arch doesn't make sense but Weaver Snap Davits aren't strong enough. They're not glamorous, and they're not the lightest option, but Garhauer's product-support philosophy is genuinely exceptional — you'll be dealing with the same people in ten years, and they'll fix or replace anything that breaks.
- Capacity
- 300 lb per pair
- Construction
- 316 stainless tubes, weld-strength tested
- Boat size
- 36–50 ft cruisers
- Typical price
- $1,600–$2,400 per pair
Pros
- Garhauer's legendary customer service — replacement parts free for the life of the boat
- Rail-mounted stainless is strong without a full arch
- Rotates in and out for launching without a lot of drama at anchor
Cons
- Higher center of gravity for the dinghy than a proper arch installation
- Stainless is heavier aloft than aluminum equivalents
How to choose
Coastal weekender, small tender, no outboard aboard: Weaver Snap Davits. Cruising couple, 40 feet, day-hopping and coastal week-long trips with a proper RIB and outboard: Kato Sea Wing or Garhauer stern-rail davits, with proper backing plates. Serious offshore cruiser: full stern arch with integrated davits, engineered for solar panels and radar as a package — spend $6,000– $12,000 all-in and be done for the life of the boat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install davits myself?
Weaver-style snap davits, yes — an afternoon with a drill and a mate. Fixed davits and arches, no — the transom reinforcement, backing plates, and thru-bolt patterns are a real project. Budget $1,500–$3,000 for professional install of a fixed system on top of the hardware cost.
Do I need a hoist system with davits?
For a small tender under 150 lb, hand-pulling is fine. For anything with an outboard aboard, a 2:1 or 3:1 tackle at each davit end (Garhauer sells matched blocks) turns the lift into a one-person job. A powered winch is a real luxury on boats over 45 feet.
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