Nick Jackson Davit

[UALcaptain]

I am considering a Nick Jackson (700lb) pipe davit for our 1982 GB42 CL. It will be used to launch and recover a 10.5' 450lb (with outboard) RIB. I plan to owner-install.
I imagine installation is straightforward, but am concerned about how to wire the 12V motor. Does anyone have experience with this system? Thanks!

 

[Greg QS]

My biggest concern is not the wiring but the connection to the deck. The 700 lbs capacity will put exponentially more stress on the deck connection. Maybe post the instructions so someone can help you with that if you need it.

 

[High Wire]

I have a 1000# Rosskelly Olsen Davit. Similar to what I think you are describing. The base of the pivot arms is through bolted to the transom. The winch power penetrates the transom at the pivot and connects to a relay box inside the transom. 12VDC 6 gauge pair supplies relay box. A separate control unit cable plugs into the transom then goes to the relay box. Electrically it’s pretty simple. The hard part is mounting the davit mechanically because it is heavy and awkward to handle.
Ask NJ for the instructions. They may want it installed by one of their contractors.

 

[GB42-424]

I have a pipe davit. The wires runs into the pipe, out the bottom, and into the aft head ceiling. From their it runs behind and down the settee into the engine room.

 

[UALcaptain]

I have a pipe davit. The wires runs into the pipe, out the bottom, and into the aft head ceiling. From their it runs behind and down the settee into the engine room.

Thank you for this routing information!

 

[Xlantic]

When you install it make sure the fixed vertical post is perfectly vertical as this ensure you can swing the arm with minimal effort, even when loaded.

You should make a canvas cover for the winch to protect it from the elements as it is an automotive winch and will quickly rust otherwise.

Once installed, be careful when you swing the dinghy in or out. It is better to swing by pushing or pulling the davit arm than the dinghy itself as the later can make the cable jump the pulley.

Ask me how I know all this ...

 

[UALcaptain]

When you install it make sure the fixed vertical post is perfectly vertical as this ensure you can swing the arm with minimal effort, even when loaded.

You should make a canvas cover for the winch to protect it from the elements as it is an automotive winch and will quickly rust otherwise.

Once installed, be careful when you swing the dinghy in or out. It is better to swing by pushing or pulling the davit arm than the dinghy itself as the later can make the cable jump the pulley.

Ask me how I know all this ...

Excellent information ... Thanks!

 

[Bud]

We installed a Nick Jackson 4 years ago on a 49 GB classic. We used a 2x4 to get angles and length. Transferred that to paper to send Nick. We love it, we lift a fiberglass dinghy with 20 hp and console 700lbs. The wiring was simple, similar to a windless.

 

[83GB]

I installed a 700# Nick Jackson on my GB 42 classic. I lift a 10 foot Caribe RIB with a 9.9 two stroke; total weight about 240 pounds. It came with a Warn winch with Dyneema. I use a small 12 volt 35 AH AGM battery that I carry up to the winch when I need to use it..... I did not want to try to snake big cables up from the house bank to the winch...

 

[IWAB]

Mark, I have a pipe davit that was on the boat when I purchased my 79 GRAND BANKS Europa. The base is attached to a square plate on the deck in the cockpit and goes through some form of bearing and out through the flybridge deck. Be happy to send pictures. I don’t know the capacity, but it’s got an old Rule 12 V winch on it, which is probably good for at least 1000 pounds. The wiring comes up through the davit.

Much to my horror, one day as I was tracing out the system I saw that it had been hard wired directly to my house bank (3 - 12v 8D AGMs wired in parallel) with no method of turning the winch power on or off. The size of the wires look to be number six or possibly number four. I subsequently attached a circuit breaker to the hot lead and will probably someday connect up a solenoid switch that works on the fly bridge so that I don’t have to go down into the engine room in order to turn the system on and off.

Alex

 

[UALcaptain]

Thanks, Alex. Electricity is not my strong suit. I'm thinking that I can owner-install the davit, but may hire a reputable marine electrician to do the wiring. Nick Jackson has some wiring diagrams available on their website. Over my head!