The Crabby Lift has a loyal following among recreational crabbers, and for good reason: it's a davit-style electric puller that lifts the pot and swings it aboard. But if you're comparing options, a few details decide whether any puller fits your boat. Here's how to compare them fairly.
Short answer: The Crabby Lift is a davit-style electric pot puller popular with recreational crabbers in the Pacific Northwest. When comparing alternatives, check five things: davit height, pipe size and wall thickness, how easily it removes, the wiring it needs, and whether mounts and parts are easy to replace.
Why Boaters Shop Alternatives
People usually compare for practical reasons: they need a taller arm, they fish deeper or pull heavier pots, they want a unit they can take off the boat, or they want to know replacement parts will be available in five years. None of these is a knock on any one brand. They're the questions that decide whether a puller works on your boat.
Davit-Style vs. Downrigger-Mount Pullers
Electric pullers come in two broad styles. Downrigger-mount units bolt to an existing downrigger base and are compact. Many pullers fit these bases, and they can be removed and stowed.
Davit-style pullers use a vertical arm. The arm lifts the line high, so the pot clears the gunnel and swings aboard. For anyone who has fought a loaded pot over a high rail, that height matters. Both styles work. A davit costs more and takes more installation effort, but it does more of the lifting.
Five Things to Compare
- Davit height. A 65" arm suits most boats. A 75" arm helps on a higher rail. Taller arms lift the pot higher but put more leverage on the mount.
- Pipe size and wall. Check whether the davit is 1.5" or 2" nominal pipe, and whether it's Schedule 40 or Schedule 80. Schedule 80 has a thicker wall and holds up better to heavy, frequent use.
- Removability. Pins and a three-piece design let you stow the arm and motor below.
- Wiring and fuse. Electric pullers draw real current. Confirm the fuse, wire gauge, and plug your model needs before you buy.
- Mounts and parts. Can you buy a replacement sleeve, mount, or roller without replacing the whole unit?
Where EZ Puller Fits
We've hand-built electric pullers in the USA for nearly 35 years. The EZ-E80 is a 1.5" Schedule 80 electric hauler on a 65" davit, and the extended EZ-E80X goes to 75". Both sit on 1.5" davit mounts built with sleeves so the arm stays solid under load. If you fish heavier gear, the PRO series steps up in torque and size.
A Quick Buying Checklist
- Know your heaviest loaded pot and deepest set
- Measure your rail height and where the davit will stand
- Decide whether you want to remove the unit after each trip
- Check your battery and wiring before you order
- Ask how to get parts down the road
FAQs
Is the Crabby Lift a good puller?
Many recreational crabbers like it. The question is whether its height, size, and parts fit your boat and how you fish.
What's the main advantage of a davit-style puller?
It lifts the pot higher so you can swing it aboard without lifting it over the rail by hand.
Can I fit a different puller on my existing davit?
Sometimes. It depends on the pipe diameter and wall, so measure first.
How do I know what size puller I need?
Start with your loaded pot weight and depth, then size up for margin.
Does an electric davit puller need special wiring?
It needs a properly sized fuse and wire gauge for its current draw. Check your model's instructions.
Find the Right Fit
Not sure which setup suits your boat? Contact our team with your boat, pot weight, and depth, and we'll recommend a puller and mount that work together.
