For those who struggle with their LOFRANS Progress 1 windlas

Alex D

Alex D

Active Member
Oct 2, 2006
1,408
Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Boat Info
2004 240 Sundeck
Engines
Mercruiser 5.0 MPI B3
If you have some of the "finger" problems this windlass is notorious for let me know. I just recently worked with the guys at IMTRA and they are very helpful to the point that I got a freee finger kit for mine (a $60 value). I can point you to the right people there.

Since the condition of the rode has to do with the problem, they also offered to sell me a brand new OEM rode for a killer price.

Anyone dealing with this ... let me know ... maybe I can help a little ...
 
Funny you should post this. While we do not have a "finger" problem, we DID just recently have to replace our entire rode (and anchor). Spoke to IMTRA and they told us that if we ordered the rode from them, it would be more expensive than getting it someplace else.

We went through www.AhoyCaptain.com . Interestingly, they ordered the rode from IMTRA. They are a home-based business that drop-ships most of their stuff, but they do "carry" an extensive amount of stuff. Vince is the owner and is a VERY nice and knowledgeable guy. Just by way of comparison, we got our rode (25' x 5/16"HT chain spliced to 200' x 5/8" line) for $281.25. (Don't tell me if we paid too much)

David
 
We had the best luck with:

  • Replacing the finger (about $80)
  • Resplicing the connection between chain and rode
  • Tightening the main hub
After that so far so good
 
I have to push in on the finger to keep the rope from slipping on the gypsy. I need to get it corrected. Is the finger spring not tight enough? Can or will they help me with this?
 
I had the stud break two weeks ago. We couldn't get the old stud out with either the traditional twist or the Rigid splined extractors. Instead of just drilling and tapping, we tapped it for a Time Sert. I'm waiting for my order ofstainless steel (Project 70, Type 303 stainless steel) Time Serts to come in. No more stud problems because of dissimilar metal corrosion!

Best regards,
Frank
 
We have the "finger" problem. Our stud broke a year ago and I replaced it with a similar sized bolt.

I'd be interested in a solution.
 
My '05 340 had a plastic finger - which broke - my MM dealer got me a free SS finger upgrade. I've had one jam at the rope/chain junction. Was able to clear it, but I think a stronger spring is the answer.

Could you post the details of getting the stronger spring?

Alex,

Don't mean to hijack your thread, but how is your boat search coming?
 
FWIW, a while back, I called IMTRA to inquire about a rode, the person I talked to explained that they had problems with the early models, apparently, and made some changes, beefing up the stud and spring, I believe to 8mm. If I remember right, he said that if your progress 1 has a hex headed set screw in the rear of the housing setting the stud, that's the easiest way to tell it's the upgraded version with the larger stud and spring. I am sure things can still go wrong, but he explained that the newer ones are reletively problem free in regard to the stud and spring breaking. He also said that when I get around to replacing the rode, he recommends going with 9/16 line. The windlass has a much easier time with the splice at the chain using the little lighter line, and most of the problems that do occur are from the windlass having trouble with the splice. The strength difference between the 9/16 vs 5/8 is nill. Last year I had a little problem with the finger not quite applying enough pressure to the rode, it turned out to be a little gummed up. I squirted the stud and spring down with solvent, then hit it with a little WD 40 and no problems since. I am going to get the new rode over the winter and put it on in the spring. I don't remember the price, I have it at my office, but it was for 200' of 9/16 and 25' of 5/16 galvanized chain, and I felt the cost was reasonable enough to just stay with IMTRA.
 
I gave up after new rode, new splice, new finger, new spring it still jammed. Now I lift the anchor from the bow with foot switches. I bring in a few feet at a time and watch it clear the finger into the locker. Then I run like hell back to the helm. good workout after a nice relaxing day.
 
Alex, the OP, may have finally solved the Progress 1 mystery. I gave up after replacing the finger and spring with a new design, cutting off the worn section of rode and doing my own splice, replacing the rode and chain with new rode and chain with a factory rode/chain splice, replacing the finger and spring again, replacing the gypsy, and winding the finger/spring up to get more tension. Several times I declared victory, only to have a jam or slip next time out at the worst time. Perhaps I had the wrong rode and/or finger and spring, but they were what Imtra recommended.

I anchor a lot, and finally just threw in the towel and bought 120' of 5/16 chain. No slips, works every time. But it's not perfect; on my boat the anchor locker is too shallow for the entire 120' pile of chain--it has to be kicked over about midway. This means that I or someone has to go forward and kick the pile over every 60' of chain retrieved. If not, the chain pile reaches the top of the inside of the locker and stops falling into the locker and bunches up on the outside. But, the retrieval is always certain and never leaves me having to push on the finger or wrestle a jam out of the windlass. If I did it over, I'd go to the next smaller chain size so it would take up less room in the locker. Weight, my big worry, has been a non issue. The boat just planes sooner and smoother.
 
Alex D said:
If you have some of the "finger" problems this windlass is notorious for let me know. I just recently worked with the guys at IMTRA and they are very helpful to the point that I got a freee finger kit for mine (a $60 value). I can point you to the right people there.

Since the condition of the rode has to do with the problem, they also offered to sell me a brand new OEM rode for a killer price.

Anyone dealing with this ... let me know ... maybe I can help a little ...
Click to expand...
Jimmy Buoy said:
We have the "finger" problem. Our stud broke a year ago and I replaced it with a similar sized bolt.

I'd be interested in a solution.
Click to expand...
 
We need to replace the gipsy and it is no longer available. Any ideas on where to purchase one ? Also, we had a finger and spring issue last year. I was able to find both. If anyone needs the info as to where please reach out .
Thanks
 
Marci said:
We need to replace the gipsy and it is no longer available. Any ideas on where to purchase one ? Also, we had a finger and spring issue last year. I was able to find both. If anyone needs the info as to where please reach out .
Thanks
Click to expand...

I am still nursing the replacement bolt (which bent right away) and the original finger so yes, I'd be interested in finding a source for new parts.
 
Jimmy, the bolt can be swapped for a M8x40mm bolt you can find at homedepot or fastenal for less than a buck in stainless. If you want a pressure finger a buddy made up a bunch using mine as a template. Call Mike Dixon at 770-789-7411 or dixonprecision@gmail.com. He had an ad on here but I'm not sure how to find it. Part is an exact match. Spring is still available from IMTRA for about $18 that is the part that goes bad pretty quickly.
 
We got a finger from Mike. He was awesome. It was $60 with shipping. Imtra is now selling the finger for $169!
 
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