Changing Windlass?????

[Gina Marie]

I currently have a Galley Maid Windlass. I am told from Ed at Sams Marine that I can upgrade my Galley Maid to one that will accept a chain. Mine will only work with a rope and I have to pull the chain and anchor up once the chain hits the pulpit. Has anyone made this conversion???????????????

 

[Genesis]

The difference is, I believe, the shaft and the pieces that go on top.

You will not like the price. I have the dual-mode system and like it plenty - I would not like one that only has a rope capstan on it.... The gypsy is below the capstan, so you need to change modes between rope and chain, but its not a big deal.

I currently have a Galley Maid Windlass. I am told from Ed at Sams Marine that I can upgrade my Galley Maid to one that will accept a chain. Mine will only work with a rope and I have to pull the chain and anchor up once the chain hits the pulpit. Has anyone made this conversion???????????????

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I did exactly what you are planning. Last year I contacted Ron at Galley Maid. He fixed me up with everything I needed. Your winch gearbox needs a new and longer shaft. You will need everything on deck new as the rope drum is different than the one that is used above the chain gypsy. make sure you get a chain gypsy for 5/16" or 3/8" chain. You also need a new, and much larger relay box. The last change will be the installation of a chain pipe. Ours is mounted on the teak strip of the pulpit. I hole sawed a hole large enough to accept a piece of 11/2" or maybe it was 2" ID PVC pipe. I epoxied the PVC into the hole as a liner and chain guide. You mount the chain pipe directly above the tube. I also bought a forged stainless chain stopper. I can't remember the brand, but it is a much neater unit than Galley Maid offers. Lots of swearing to get the gearbox out as Hatteras caulked the neck in. I removed all the bolts then used a large crow bar to get it turning back and forth. It finally came out. Some folks have found rot under their pulpits, but our '86 36C had all solid material except the deck core and that was clean and dry. You will get a long core sample when you hole saw for the chain pipe liner. Very uncomfortable to have your body crammed into that tiny chain locker for endless hours. You will also need another switch in the deck for down. I made sure I lined the exposed core of both switch holes with epoxy. Galley Maid gets about $1400 for everything you need plus the chainpipe. Sometimes Ron may have some of the parts available used. It dosen't hurt to ask. Very nice setup. We use all 5/16" chain.

 

[hattitude]

Mine will only work with a rope and I have to pull the chain and anchor up once the chain hits the pulpit.

I was in the same boat as you (pun intended). I looked into a conversion and had it on my list of projects. While diving with an boat smart friend, he saw me get the chain thru the roller and then take the rope off the drum and haul the rest by hand. He pointed out that my rope drum had scratches on it, so why not wrap the chain around it too.... wow... now I just guide the rope/chain shackle around the drum (the only jam hazard), double wrap the chain, and up it all comes.... on the windlass.

Now I might have been less excited about this suggestion if the drum were pristine... but I've been raising the anchor this way for five years now with no problems... FWIW

Bernie

 

[Liquid Asset]

Bernie,

I do exactly what you do. I do not have a chain gypsy, so I just wrap the chain around the drum. It works well, and my drup was scratched and ugly long before I got it, so it does not make much difference to me.

The only problem I have run into is osmtimes if you go to fast the chain will jam up, but not all the time. I think this is because I have 50' of chain.

 

[hattitude]

The only problem I have run into is osmtimes if you go to fast the chain will jam up, but not all the time. I think this is because I have 50' of chain.

Pat,

I have had the shackle between the rope & chain jam if I don't pull up on it and guide it around the drum, but I've never had the chain just jam on itself. I've done three wraps with chain to get it up through the kelp

Are you saying you have had the chain just jam on itself on the drum?

Bernie

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I pulled my windlass and sent it to GM for the upgrade to chain as well. It came out hard and it was a good time to check the area for water intrusion. But it went back in just fine and works great with 200' of 3/8" HT chain. I still have the old capstan and deck plate if someone needs them. The capstan is not in great shape, though, since it was used occassionally by the previous owner to pull in chain.

 

[Liquid Asset]

Bernie,
Yes, I have had the chain jam on itself. My line is braided directly to the chain with no shackle. I have very large chain (Tuna Chain) so 3 wraps takes up the entire drum. So somtimes it happens, but most of the time if you are careful it wont. It only happens when we are offshore and it is rough, or we get lazy and dont pay good attention. When it is rough, the anchor is bouncin aroudn in 8-10 footers, it is hard to contorl sometimes. It works though, and it I just dont want to spend the money on a new windlass at this time.

If I were in need of repair for my GaleyMaid windlass, I woudl probably spend the time to install a chain gypsy.

 

[hattitude]

Bernie,
Yes, I have had the chain jam on itself. My line is braided directly to the chain with no shackle. I have very large chain (Tuna Chain) so 3 wraps takes up the entire drum. So somtimes it happens, but most of the time if you are careful it wont. It only happens when we are offshore and it is rough, or we get lazy and dont pay good attention.

Thanks for the info, chain hasn't got me yet... but I'll watch out for it

Bernie

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I pulled my windlass and sent it to GM for the upgrade to chain as well. It came out hard and it was a good time to check the area for water intrusion. But it went back in just fine and works great with 200' of 3/8" HT chain. I still have the old capstan and deck plate if someone needs them. The capstan is not in great shape, though, since it was used occassionally by the previous owner to pull in chain.

Gee Skycheney, between us we have enough stuff to build another winch. I have my entire gearbox assy. Never seen salt, and looks like new. It is, of course only set up for a rope winch. I also have a winch drum and baseplate. Both of them have chrome problems from someone trying to drag chain across them. I have a like new relay box for this winch also.I also use 200' of chain. My new one has 5/16 heat treated and works great.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Maynard,
I think you are right. I have the relay box for the one-way rope version also. Combine that with the capstan and base plate, and my GM toilet pump and we could start up GalleyMaid North.