Methods and apparatus for supporting a davit arm

A davit arm assembly of the type that is supported at least in part by a ground surface, comprising:

• a ground engaging base member;
• a support tube connected to the base member;
• a support shaft having a longitudinal axis, wherein a lower end of the support shaft is inserted in the support tube in such a manner that the support shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support tube;
• a davit arm mounted rotatably mounted on an upper end of the support shaft in such a manner that the davit arm is rotatable about an axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft.

A davit arm assembly of the type that is supported at least in part by a ground surface, comprising:

• a ground engaging base member;
• a support member having a longitudinal axis and mounted on the base member;
• a davit arm mounted on an upper end of the support member in such a manner that the davit arm is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, and an upper distal end of the davit arm is radially displaced from the longitudinal axis;
• a winch mounted on the davit arm at a radially displaced location relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the winch and the upper distal end of the davit arm are diametrically opposed in relation to the longitudinal axis, thereby counterbalancing one another.

A method of providing a portable davit arm kit sized and configured to be carried by a single person, comprising the steps of:

• providing a bag having three discrete compartments;
• securing at least one strap to an external portion of the bag in a manner that defines a closed loop;
• providing a base member inside a first one of the compartments;
• providing first and second leg members inside a second one of the compartments;
• providing a first connecting means for connecting the leg members and the base member in a manner that defines a rigid, ground engaging base;
• providing a support post and a davit arm inside a third one of the compartments;
• providing a second connecting means for connecting the support post and the davit arm to the ground engaging base in such a manner that an upper distal end of the davit arm is disposed above an unoccupied portion of the ground.

A method of securing a davit arm relative to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• providing a base having a member sized and configured for insertion into a trailer hitch receptacle on a vehicle;
• mounting a davit arm on the base;
• inserting the member into the receptacle;
• and
• moving the vehicle to position the davit arm to overhang a downwardly extending space.