Issue with my windlass

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BoatCrazy

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Yesterday was my first time with my new to me windlass. Windlass came off a sandy boat that was two years old.

When letting the anchor and rode down, it was fine, no issues.

When it came time to pull the anchor up, no luck. The windlass was gripping the rode. I sent my wife up to the bow, and once she started to hand feed the line, the windlass caught on and all of a sudden was able to grip it the rode.

It would stop after 5 or 6 feet. Again wife would have to feed it through.

Chain was NO problem.

Chain and line are brand new, and are exactly what lewmar calls for.

Any ideas whats going on?

Now, when it came time to feed the line through the windlass for the first time, it had NO problem gripping anything....
 
there is often a spring actuated feeder that holds the rope against the drum. yours may be worn.

Look at the maker parts list or assembly drawing.

Nice new rode does tend to be a bit slippery and very soft lay is very squishy.
 
Sounds like a typical GOOD windlass. They only work when you use a GOOD.... properly sized.... anchor line.
 
Is the line thickness compatible with the gypsy? If so the pressure arm which is spring loaded may need to be loosened so it keeps the line firmly in the gypsy as Pedcat mentioned. On my Lofrans windless it can be over tightened and not spring freely. The gypsy is also clutched so if the clutch is loose it may be slipping. The clutch can usually be tightened or loosened with a winch handle.
 
I find just the opposite with my windlass. If there isn't any tension on the line, it won't grip properly since the tension against the drum is too light. Some times I need a little reverse if there isn't much wind or current.
 
quote:

Posted - May 25 2015 : 08:30:35 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Yesterday was my first time with my new to me windlass. Windlass came off a sandy boat that was two years old.

When letting the anchor and rode down, it was fine, no issues.

When it came time to pull the anchor up, no luck. The windlass was gripping the rode. I sent my wife up to the bow, and once she started to hand feed the line, the windlass caught on and all of a sudden was able to grip it the rode.

It would stop after 5 or 6 feet. Again wife would have to feed it through.
Click to expand...


What is a "sandy boat"?

Was the rope slipping in the gypsy or was the gypsy not turning?

There's a clutch that lets the gypsy slip. If the motor is turning but the gypsy is not, tighten the clutch. If the gypsy is turning but the rope is not moving, the gypsy may be worn out (assuming that you actually do have the correct rope for the gypsy).

BTW: A power windlass can be very dangerous at close range. I wouldn't have your wife (or you) putting hands or fingers close to it when it's operating, especially when someone else is operating it. Bad things can happen.
 
Ron, a Sandy boat is a boat that was damaged during hurricane sandy.

when she is sitting on the bow pulling line up, her hands are not close to the windlass at all, thanks for the concern.

I will check everything over the weekend and report back
 
My windlass says it works with 1/2 line and it does, marginally even with a good spring. Works much better with 5/8.
 
Had same problem with Good windlass. Line built up in locker and disengaged, deckhand had to keep line tight behind windlass.
 
quote:
Originally posted by BoatCrazy

Click to expand...

what model windlass is in question?

how much fall does the windlass have from the outlet to where the line is actually resting when you have the issue? there should be a min fall distance spec'd in the installation manual from Lewmar. I'm assuming yours drops the line/chain directly into the chain locker.

some windlass's can use multiple gypsy sizes. have you verified that the gypsy you actually have, is paired with the line/chain size indicated by Lewmar. Lewmar's line/chain size is usually paired with the gypsy the unit is shipped with standard.
 
I treated myself to a freefall Good Windlass for my 60th last year. I love the thing!
If the gypsy is turning when you retrieve, then it could be a rode problem.
But if it's not:
We have a freefall Lewmar on the 22 footer. Had a problem with it last year, I think it was probably user error that caused it. My brother wasn't used to it. Anyway, I called Lewmar, gave them the model number, described the problem, and they walked me through the solution. I may have just gotten lucky, but the guy I got on the phone was aces. It was back to normal in just a few minutes.
If your line is good, and you don't figure it out this weekend, you may want to give them a call on Monday.
 
I have the exact same issue with my Lewmar Ocean Series (700?) vertical windlass. My line stripper broke and I changed it out with the newer style part, but the line still gags jammed up in the capstan. Once it jams it pulls it past the feed opening into the rope locker. Once that happens the clutch disengages, and the windlass freewheels. To fix it, I have to remove the top of the windlass and pull the line back out.

It doesn't do this all the time, but frequently enough that it can be a pain in the ass in a crowded anchorage.
 
I tested mine this weekend and there was no issue, worked flawlessly.

Today when I was down at the boat emptying the bilge, I let the anchor down, and guess what, it wouldnt pull the rode back up...

go figure
 
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