Derecktor Launches World’s Largest Mobile Boat Hoist

Arriving by truck from the Port of Miami, the boat hoist has gigantic wheels that measure more than 8-feet tall and weigh more than 10,000 pounds each. Once assembled, the lift will be the world’s largest, with a capacity of 1,500 tonnes – the equivalent to nearly 8 Boeing 747 airplanes. It will also be the heart of the shipyard’s first phase of operation.

With the ability to haul vessels of up to 250 feet (76.2m) in length form the water for service work quickly, safely and efficiently, it will offer an unmatched level of service to the growing global fleet of superyachts in the US.

While the lift is assembled, work on the haul-out basin to accommodate the historic machine continues. This 220-foot long by 50-foot wide slipway, with a water depth of 21 feet, will allow the machine to hoist all but the very largest yachts quickly, safely and efficiently, and then precisely position them on the 12-acre site.

“This gives us the ability to save time and money for our customers who before this have had to rely on dry docks for haul-outs,” commented Justin Beard, Marketing and Sales Development for Derecktor. “Before this, large sailing yachts have generally not looked to US yards for service due to the lack of suitable haul-out facilities. It opens an exciting new market to us and the industry in Florida.”

Derecktor Ft. Pierce anticipates hauling operations to commence in May and is now scheduling haul-outs and service work. The opening of Derecktor’s new facility in Ft. Pierce was announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in 2019, with construction underway by November 2020. Today, four Derecktor facilities span the Eastern Seaboard of the US from Maine to South Florida, offering vessel owners and operators everything from marina space to superyacht construction.