Lofrans Progress 1 Low Profile Windlass Operation

[arthura]

Although I am a long time boater, until I recently moved from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay I had never used my Windlass. I bought a 2001 31 ft Sea Ray Sundancer for Georgian Bay. It has original equipment including a Lofrans Progress 1, which I think is a Low Profile since there is a gypsy (wildcat?) but no obvious separate capstan. Now I want to anchor at the great beaches and overnight coves, but I have discovered that I do not know how to use my windlass, and the 4 paragraph 'manual' that Lofrans provides does not help me. Everything seems to be working and I can use my foot pedal or console control to pay out my anchor and the chain portion of my rode smoothly. However, the windlass does not continue to grab the rope portion of the rode. The larger problem is retrieval. The windlass does not grab the rope or feed it into the locker and I have to manually pull it up and manually stuff the rope into the locker. Once the transition is made to chain, the windlass grabs well but often the chain jams going back into the locker. Once I sort this out, the chain and anchor retrieval works flawlessly under power. I see that there is a handle but I have no clue as to when to use it. Ditto for the Finger. Many thanks to anyone who can enlighten me.

 

[MLauman]

Possible causes:

Worn or damaged finger spring
Worn or damaged gypsy
Wrong size or type rode
Excessively worn rode

There may be others but this is where I'd start.

 

[boatmailster]

http://www.imtra.com/downloadTypes/Progress1_parts_drawing.pdf

you will need new part #238 and possibly #238.
or
http://www.imtra.com/downloadTypes/Progress_1_parts_drawing_2002.pdf
parts #890 and #891 on older model
they sell finger kit do do repair yourself

 

[HUMPH]

I agree, the post for the finger on mine was bent so I replaced it and it works perfect now...

 

[RonF]

I think it's a terrible design. I have had the finger, stud, and gypsy replaced, but it won't pull in the rope portion of the rode. Admittedly, I have not installed brand new rode to see if that would fix the problem, because my confidence is very low. Also, the turn down into the locker is too abrupt, so the splice jams every time. So I have to operate the windlass from the bow pedals, then pull the splice into the locker until the chain engages in the gypsy. Then I can finish retrieving the anchor from the helm.

 

[Stray Cat]

Not sure how much difference there is from a Progress 1 to a Progress 1000...but on the 1000 they require a 3 strand nylon 5/8 dia. rode. I anchor a lot, (fresh water), and have never had an issue with the rode retrieval.

 

[mawyatt]

On the Progress 1000 you must use the correct size and type rode and chain, plus the splice must be done properly. Check the manual or Imtra website for the proper rode and chain for your model. We still have to be careful as the splice can jam on retrieval with the correct rode and chain, and must be worked slowly. You should not use the Windlass to pull the boat to the anchor, this causes the rode to slip. Use the engines to slowly move up to the anchor as you take in the rode and chain.

 

[arthura]

Thank you, all. I will take a close look at the finger as the fist step. Does anyone know when the handle is needed to adjust the gypsy cap?

 

[RonF]

I believe the handle is a crank for when the motor doesn't work

 

[JeffM]

Sorry, Ron, but I believe the handle loosens and tightens the gypsy to allow manual retrieval of the rode...at least, on my windlass it does.

 

[RonF]

Sorry, Ron, but I believe the handle loosens and tightens the gypsy to allow manual retrieval of the rode...at least, on my windlass it does.

OK, thanks. I've never tried it.

 

[370Dancer]

It is also possible that after many deployment retrievals, the rode and chain have become twisted. I think mine has. This weekend, I am disconnecting the anchor, and paying out the entire rode and chain and going for a ride (don't get behind me).
after a bit. I will take it up properly through the Lofrans. We'll see if that helps.

 

[boatmailster]

On the Progress 1000 you must use the correct size and type rode and chain, plus the splice must be done properly. Check the manual or Imtra website for the proper rode and chain for your model. .............................

chain size is stamped inside gypsy and lofrans makes chains with rope matching their windlasses