Windlass Problem

[JLR]

The Anchorman 1000(?)/Simpson Lawrence windlass on my 43 has developed a problem. After sitting for about 60 days, the windlass will not pay out the chain. All I hear is a clicking like a ratchet. If I assist the windlass by pulling some chain out, the windlass then drops the chain. It has no problem pulling up the chain. When my mechanic was on the boat, and this happened, he put downward pressure on the capsun by hand and it seemed to correct the problem. I am hoping this might be a lube problem but he mentioned the possibility of a dog clutch problem. Once again, this is not an electrical solenoid issue nor is it a clutch issue on the retrieve side. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Glory]

I would check below deck to see if something is lose. If downward pressure helps it might be the shaft us/has been lifted and gear contact is not complete.

 

[JLR]

Will do. Please keep the suggestions coming. It will be a nice little fix it project over the next week or so. I have read that the clicking could be coming from a bad solenoid but it sure sounds more mechanical to me like a ratchet than electrical.

 

[Avenger]

Not familiar with that particular windlass but a lot of them seem to have a clutch that can be adjusted at the capstan. Is that a possibility here?

 

[JLR]

The clutch adjustment seems fine, at least with respect to retrieving the anchor. Also, I forgot to mention that when I hear the clicking, I also see the inside of the capstan spinning but seemingly not engaging whatever type gear it needs to engage to grab the chain and lower the anchor. Once again, the problem appears to be only in the lowering mode, not the retrieval mode. Hope that helps.

 

[dottieshusband]

Like others, I'm not familiar with the model..but many have a fitting on top to adjust the drag.

 

[TROUBLE]

Is there a slotted screw at the bottom of the hole that you put the handle in? On mine that screw needs to be loosened first.

Art

 

[JLR]

Negative. There is a Phillips screw that needs to be undone if you want to remove the capstan by turning it counter clockwise.

 

[Avenger]

I was referring to a socket on the top like the winches on a blowboat where you use a handle to crank it. Many of them have this feature to allow you to manually disengage the clutch to freefall the anchor. If it's not tight the winch will not operate correctly.

 

[JLR]

That socket hole is tight. I put the clutch handle on it and it is as tight as she goes. I always thought that adjustment was for retrieval only. There is another socket hole on the top that I believe is just for manual retrieve. I do not think it has anything to do with free falling but I can check.

 

[JLR]

Just checked. Phillips screw that goes down middle of the shaft will not fully tighten. Not sure what that means. It is clear that if there is any tension on the chain paying out from the locker, the shaft spins and the gypsy does not grab the chain to let it out. Any ideas?

 

[tonytrakovich]

Sounds like the gypsy paul?http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/sailboat__23857218.pdf

 

[wpc691]

Just checked. Phillips screw that goes down middle of the shaft will not fully tighten. Not sure what that means. It is clear that if there is any tension on the chain paying out from the locker, the shaft spins and the gypsy does not grab the chain to let it out. Any ideas?

Not familiar with this model, but if the capstan bolt on my Galley Maid wouldn't engage and drive the capstan/gypsy/clutch plate together, I'd get a wear spacer that Galley Maid sells to restore engagement with a worn clutch plate. If it was just a sticking problem, I'd remove the capstan bolt, capstan, gypsy and clutch plate, clean the shaft with scotch brite, lubricate shaft with Never Seize and reassemble.

 

[JLR]

In looking at the diagram and description, it seems like it could be the friction cone?

 

[dottieshusband]

I was referring to a socket on the top like the winches on a blowboat where you use a handle to crank it. Many of them have this feature to allow you to manually disengage the clutch to freefall the anchor. If it's not tight the winch will not operate correctly.

+1..What he said... every previous boat I have owned had the windlass set up like that.

 

[JLR]

Well, it looks like I may be SOL. Although I often repair things in the wrong order just to save time, by buying parts and then seeing what is wrong, I won't even be able to do that with this project. There are virtually no parts available for this windlass any more, with the possible exception of a place in the UK. So, I am going to tear down the windlass, find out what is wrong and then likely have any parts I might need made or machined for me. I am still hoping that it is just a broken socket screw which I will be able to source locally once I have the specs on it. I would really hate to replace the entire windlass for this intermittent problem but even made calls about a new, drop in replacement. Alas, there are none so even replacing the windlass with a new make and model will be a project in and of itself. So, unless someone has a source for or the availability of a socket screw with the part number 6044559, I'll be tearing down first and then selecting the best way forward from there. Anyone have any experience with a Lewmar V2 windlass if I need to go that route?

 

[captcrunch]

JLR there is a guy in Islip, NY Yacht MD that was the old Simpson Lawrence service guy and may have what parts you need.

Hope it helps, good luck.

 

[JLR]

Thanks. I'll see if there is a way to find that person. Any further details would help.

 

[JLR]

Found the website. The telephone number appears to be disconnected.

 

[captcrunch]

I had the guys number somewhere I'll look for it. I got a part from him over the summer