Lofrans Emergency Windlass Handle

[peterkvs]

A couple of months ago I was pulling in the anchor with the windlass and at the last second the anchor cocked a bit sideways and lodged itself cockeyed in the roller. After this happened, the windlass was jammed and would not go in or out. There was no way to move the anchor either. Fortunately I was going back to marina anyway. When I got back I looked at the windlass and decided that I could use a 3/4" drive socket wrench to loosen the clutch nut on the Lofrans Project 1000 windlass so that I could undo the tension on the chain and get the anchor free. I was surprised to learn that the star pattern was not 3/4", but just slightly smaller and therefore I could not loosen the clutch nut. I know that the star pattern in the bolt is for the emergency windlass handle, but one did not come with the boat. I walked down the dock and at the end was a derelict sailboat with a winch handle sitting there. After battling the cobwebs I borrowed the handle and was able to get the clutch nut loosened and the anchor freed.

I learned that without a winch handle that fits in that star hole in the clutch nut that you could be in big trouble on a trip if you got your anchor jammed up like I did.

The winch handle I borrowed was a bit too small and loose for the star hole in the clutch nut, and I think it would be a real pain to crank in the anchor with that sloppy fitting handle. I looked at the Imtra website and they call out a Lofrans 272 emergency handle part number LWP883A, but the dang thing is $110.

I feel like it is an important piece of emergency equipment to have on board, but I really don't want to spend $110.

Does anyone know if all winch handles are the same size or have any thoughts on what else could be used?

Thanks,

Cheap A$$ Pete

 

[JimT]

Winch handles for sail boats all have the same size head. I always assumed that it was a standard size on boats I have used winch handles to open water and fuel fill caps and loosen clutches on sailboat winches. Perhaps the winch you borrowed was degraded. Go to West Marine and but the cheapest one you can find. They are a lot less than $110. If it doesn't fit you can always return it.

 

[mawyatt]

Pete,

I did what Jim indicated. I have a spare that I got a West Marine, I think it was about $50. I recall I needed a another winch handle to to get the clutch loose, think I had a simliar situation as yours but can't remember details it was so long ago and my memory ins't that good. You can probably get one from BOE cheaper than West Marine.

 

[peterkvs]

Thanks Guys, I'll look around. Maybe I can get a good used one off ebay.

Pete

 

[sailorjerry]

I may have one. Let me check the part number. I will be at the boat tomorrow.

 

[peterkvs]

Ok, Cool.

Pete

 

[K-DUB]

Probably a stupid question, but have you checked all your storage areas in your boat? I found my handle by accident in the bottom of my forward clothes locker.

 

[sailorjerry]

Ok, Cool.

Pete

The handle that I bought and have was listed by Sea Ray as LOFRAN 1043918. Let me know if this is the one that you need.

 

[peterkvs]

Jerry,

I think that part number is a SeaRay part number which is kind of meaningless unless you have their access to their Bill of Material database. The one on the Imtra website that is supposed to be used with my windlass looks like this.



Pete

 

[peterkvs]

K-Dub,

I'll look around, but I have pretty much been everywhere on that boat over the last year.

Pete

 

[sailorjerry]

I do have one extra handle. I couldn't find mine when I bought the boat so I purchased a second. I found the original at the bottom of the chain locker when I dropped anchor. Figures.... I paid $110. Does $60 sound fair?

 

[peterkvs]

Perfect. Ill go for that! PM me your details and ill send you a check or Paypal.

 

[Wagner]

hey Guys, i also bought a boat missing this
OneTouch Winch Handles, but i dont know which size might be? "8" or "10"? i have a 2005 sundancer 260. appreciate your help.

 

[Little Ducky]

Don't know how much rope or chain you have in your anchor locker but I found mine handle at the bottom of the locker when I changed out my rope/chain a few years back.

 

[Wagner]

Don't know how much rope or chain you have in your anchor locker but I found mine handle at the bottom of the locker when I changed out my rope/chain a few years back.

Do you remember if yours is "8" or "10" ? i will check again....might didnt look good enough. THANK YOU.

 

[Little Ducky]

Do you remember if yours is "8" or "10" ? i will check again....might didnt look good enough. THANK YOU.

I sure don't..... once i found it I clicked it into its little holder and really never open up the locker to see it. I'll have to take a look at it this weekend.....