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Should I expect pay more for a Nautical Structures’ product?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Maybe, but not necessarily. Nautical Structures is an older and more mature company than most others in this business. We have a mature and experienced staff, and an extensive portfolio of successful projects. This “maturity” often indicates a top-heavy burdened company not very competitive. Nautical Structures is an example of the exception, not the rule. We have continued to modernize our factory while retaining the years of talent developed in our employees. Our manufacturing, administration, engineering and sales staff uses a lean approach to conducting our business. We are able to offer the service, support and experience of a larger company with the competitive edge found in smaller growth companies.
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How much will one of your cranes cost me?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Many of our cranes and davits are custom built, or developed specific for your project. More “standard” equipment still requires many variables of the yacht understood prior to a final specification and price. Nautical Structures sales professionals will quickly evaluate your needs and develop a technical proposal for your evaluation. A Nautical Structures’ proposal describes all of the technical specifications of any equipment, allowing our client to understand the bid and make informed comparisons with other bids.
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Why can’t I find a price list on your website?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Due to the technical nature of the equipment we sell, we cost and quote each potential project. Our trained and experienced sales professionals know what types of equipment is ideal for different applications, and can best recommend an appropriate product. Because there are so many variables that have to be taken into consideration we believe that a published price list is not an appropriate way to describe our equipment selections. Our sales team will be happy to go over all the many varieties of equipment available to ensure you receive the right product.
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What type of credit cards do you accept?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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We accept Visa and MasterCard. Unfortunately we do not accept American Express.
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How do I know if I need a davit or a crane, what is the difference?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Depends upon the definition of the term davit and crane. For the most “correct” description please see our “Glossary of Nautical Terms”. A Nautical Structures sales professional can help you determine if our davit or crane system is the right choice.
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At what size tender should I consider hydraulic boom rotation?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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It truly depends upon the size of the yacht, how much the vessel will list with the tender rotated outboard, and your physical strength. As a rule Nautical Structures davits include power rotation as a standard component for all products rated to capacity over 1700-Lb/800-Kg.
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Does a transom lift make sense on a yacht to keep the tender out of the way from deck living spaces? What are the disadvantages?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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The decision to use a Transom Lift on a yacht is often based upon the design of the yacht. True, carrying the tender aft on a platform is convenient, and would free up deck space with the tender relocated. The Transom Lifts built by Nautical Structures are designed for longevity submerged in salt water. It is important to understand that there are some limitations to carrying a tender on an aft platform. The close proximity to the sea makes the tender vulnerable in heavy weather. This same close proximity to seawater also adds to the tender’s maintenance over time.
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Why use aluminum in the construction of your davits and cranes?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Aluminum allows optimum strength to weight efficiency with greatly reduced corrosion potential in a marine environment. Nautical Structures’ engineered boom structures distribute high loads across the boom-length during moments of dynamic loading, reducing the amount of shock-loading transmitted to the deck.
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What is a linear winch?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Unlike a conventional drum-type winch a basic linear winch design uses two opposing sets of sheaves (similar to a block and tackle) with one set of sheaves controlled by a hydraulic piston to allow the lifting or lowering of the rope or cable. Additional technologies developed and utilized by Nautical Structures produces a self-limiting non-fouling winch allowing no direct contact of the rope or cable to itself thereby eliminating the wear caused by a conventional drum winch. Properly built, a linear winch provides smooth, quiet, reliable operation. The Hydraulic Linear Winch has made many conventional winch applications obsolete.
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I have not been using my davit for months. The hydraulic pump runs, some functions work but others do not. The electrical controller seems to be okay, not a factor.
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Hydraulic fluid will develop a hard film on o-rings over time preventing machined veins on internal valve spool from shuttling back and forth. This situation may be remedied by getting the fluid moving in the valve-body. Manually shuttle the internal valve spool by inserting an allen wrench or similar probe in through the small hole at each end of the valve. Push the internal spool from one end of the valve body to the other allowing fluid to lubricate the o-rings. Operate all hydraulic functions as often as possible as part of your routine maintenance.
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My 12v - 24v MC davit only operates in “cable-up” function. No down function. The hook/cable assembly is now too tight to remove/release from the deck pad eye. How can I release the hook?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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If the switching-solenoid has failed, connect battery cables direct to winch terminal cables and operate davit with circuit breaker. Reverse cables to operate winch in the opposite direction. Replace solenoid(s) immediately.
* Note: A sacrificial line capable of parting before the deck is damaged, installed between the hook and pad eye should be used to stow the davit. Unbolt deck pad-eye if possible. Cut the cable as last resort. Keep in mind that if the davit’s cable is taught, there is stored energy in the cable, use caution when trying to release this tension by any means.
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Should I remove the davit controller after I have finished using the davit?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Yes, this is always recommended. Also it is very important to keep the davit / crane / passerelle circuit breaker turned off until you need to operate the equipment. Failure to do so can lead to long-term service problems. Typical problems include:
- Stray dock – vessel voltage spikes can damage control and radio components.
- 1st generation 30% P.Q. control cards heat and dry out, crack and malfunction.
- 2nd generation NBB controllers potential for damage to joystick/boards.
- 3rd generation Miratron radio receivers overheat or damage due to power surge.
A regulated (dedicated) 24vDC power supply should always feed Nautical Structures’ control systems.
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It seems like my davit is slowing down and losing power….?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Likely nothing has changed within the davit itself. However, the pump may be losing pressure due to a relaxed pressure adjusting spring, or increasing clearances in the pump head itself. Typically a slight adjustment of the pressure adjusting screw will solve this problem. It is a five minute adjustment that you can do yourself with the phone assistance of a qualified Nautical Structures service technician.
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Should I change the hydraulic fluid in my system?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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1. For the larger systems that are run frequently, and have high pressure filtration on them, it is usually only necessary to change the filter on an annual basis
2. For smaller systems without filtration, it is advisable to change your oil every two to three years.
3. For all systems, make sure that you run the equipment for at least five to ten minutes each month; long enough to warm the fluid and ensure that the fluid has cycled through your system. Inactivity creates issues with every hydraulic component.
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My equipment is getting old and I’d like to get it renewed. Do you do this type of work?
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Date : 2/6/2010
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Your equipment can be returned to the factory for a complete rebuild. Call our service department to discuss various level of renewing. For the most part equipment renewing is handled by one of our two authorized rebuild centers.
Nautical Southeast; located in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Contact Dick Baker
LM Hydraulics; located in Palma Mallorca. Contact Lee McGuire.
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