T&T: Possibly stupid 240 volt inverter question

[George Rankin]

The davit on my boat is set up to run at 240 volts  -- meaning that it only
works when the generator is running.   I would like the ability to run it
off of the batteries, even if only for an emergency.   I don't have it here,
but we worked out the amps used by the motor according to what we could
translate off the nameplate and it would not be unreasonable compared to the
size of the battery bank.

So my question for the electrically inclined here is -- can I get a 240 volt
inverter and treat it like I would a house panel -- running two 120 circuits
off of the different legs for all of the non-davit related circuits?   Do
240 volt inverters have different legs?  Is there any disadvantage to doing
this?   Do I even know what I am talking about?  (Don't worry, in the end a
qualified marine electrician is going to install this but I want some
additional input before sending them off on an expensive wild goose chase.)

I am currently commissioning the boat and have not selected an inverter yet.

One big fly in the ointment is that it looks like almost all 240 volt
inverters are designed for Europe and are 50hz.   I haven't found a marine
one yet, and if my whole idea is stupid then I'll stop looking.

George Rankin
Silk Road