How to maintain the windlass

[jmauld]

Is there a good write-up on how to maintain a windlass?

Mine is having more ond more difficulty pulling in the rope section. It used to have no problem with it. It also has no issue with the chain once it gets to the chain portion.

 

[Stee6043]

I'd bet it's more the condition of your line/rope than it is the windlass. Is the your line pretty old, getting hard, worn? Some folks talk about soaking anchor rode in fabric softener. If it were me though, for the money I'd probably just buy new line and find someone local to splice it for me.

Better yet...this is a great reason to upgrade to all-chain

 

[jmauld]

I'd bet it's more the condition of your line/rope than it is the windlass. Is the your line pretty old, getting hard, worn? Some folks talk about soaking anchor rode in fabric softener. If it were me though, for the money I'd probably just buy new line and find someone local to splice it for me.

Better yet...this is a great reason to upgrade to all-chain

I’m considering that last part. Or maybe 150’ of chain with 150’ of rode. I rarely anchor deep enough to need more than 150’.

 

[Stee6043]

I’m considering that last part. Or maybe 150’ of chain with 150’ of rode. I rarely anchor deep enough to need more than 150’.

I lost a splice a few years back and made the switch to 200' of chain. At the time Defender marine was the best cost around, delivered. I'm very pleased with the setup. You would not regret the switch.

 

[jmauld]

thank you.
Do you just rely on the 200’ of chain with no rode?

do you use a lead to take the load off of the windlass while anchored?

 

[Stee6043]

thank you.
Do you just rely on the 200’ of chain with no rode?

do you use a lead to take the load off of the windlass while anchored?

90% of the time I use only the chain. Let enough chain out to get a nice slope/catenary in the chain, nothing more required for a decently calm day of anchoring.

If I anchor where I expect some chop (like big wakes from boats out on Lake Michigan) I'll throw out a DIY bridle that's simply a 25' 3/4" line with an anchor grabber in the middle. I tie that to my front two cleats and take the load off the windlass.

 

[jmauld]

Did you go with BBB or Grade 43 chain?

the parts Manual says that Grade 40 was used initially.

 

[hughespat57]

Look at your wildcat it will be cast into it

Something like 5/16 40
Different chains have different shapes

 

[jmauld]

Look at your wildcat it will be cast into it

Something like 5/16 40
Different chains have different shapes

I just checked and didn’t see that cast in it anywhere. There are two sticker labels that are worn away

edit: apparently it should be cast into the chain. I’ll go back over to the boat after work.

 

[jmauld]

I lost a splice a few years back and made the switch to 200' of chain. At the time Defender marine was the best cost around, delivered. I'm very pleased with the setup. You would not regret the switch.

after shipping with defender, it’s actually cheaper to get it from the local west marine

 

[bobeast]

In addition to making sure your rode is pliable and the splice is clean, also take a look at the tensioning "finger" on your windlass. These can wear away over time, and the spring can become weak.

Best upgrade I made was going all chain. If you do so, make sure you attach it to your boat with a length of line. That way you can jettison your ground tackle in an emergency by cutting through the line.

 

[jmauld]

In addition to making sure your rode is pliable and the splice is clean, also take a look at the tensioning "finger" on your windlass. These can wear away over time, and the spring can become weak.

Best upgrade I made was going all chain. If you do so, make sure you attach it to your boat with a length of line. That way you can jettison your ground tackle in an emergency by cutting through the line.

I have 150’ of rode in the garage. I’m going to go with that and 150’ of chain That should let me use all chain for 99% of my anchoring and I’ll have the rode for any time that I might be in deeper water. I rarely put out more than 90’ currently.

 

[jmauld]

I ended Up getting 210’ of chain and will just use this in lieu of chain/rode combo. Can I connect this to the d-ring with a short piece of 3/8’ rode so that I can cut it easily if needed?

 

[bobeast]

I ended Up getting 210’ of chain and will just use this in lieu of chain/rode combo. Can I connect this to the d-ring with a short piece of 3/8’ rode so that I can cut it easily if needed?

Sounds like a good plan. Make the cut line long enough to easily reach from the deck but not long enough to reach the windlass.

 

[jmauld]

Sounds like a good plan. Make the cut line long enough to easily reach from the deck but not long enough to reach the windlass.

That’s funny. A local said to make it long enough to go through the windlass so that you can cut it without going into the locker

 

[Lazy Daze]

That’s funny. A local said to make it long enough to go through the windlass so that you can cut it without going into the locker

It will likely depend on how you tie the line into the chain. If you make a big honkin' knot... that might be an issue But if you splice it, it will work just fine.

FYI... "rode" generally refers to the entire thing (chain AND rope)

 

[keokie]

I use my anchor/windlass a ton. All chain has some serious advantages, most of which are very obvious. But I don't run all chain for a few reasons:

- It can bring in a ton of mud, and there is plenty where I boat.

- Feeding out and in really shakes the bow roller. This may not be a problem from a structural standpoint, but it sure is loud and obnoxious when going through a couple hundred feet.

- As mentioned, you should use a snubber, which can be inconvenient.

- If your windlass fails and you have to haul manually, make sure you ate your Wheaties.

- In addition to a cut rope, make sure you have a good hacksaw. If you get a ball of links jammed in the gypsy, you will likely need a hacksaw.

- Weight. My gypsy requires 5/16th chain which is very heavy. If I were going all chain, I would consider a 1/4 inch gypsy and chain to save some weight.

- Ever find the chain knotted up in the anchor locker? I have seen this (albeit rarely) happen to boaters I have been with. It can be challenging

I have 35' of 5/16 inch chain and 240' of 5/8ths mega braid. This rode is 14 years old and has had a ton of use. I reversed the spliced end once, and I have replaced the spring on the tension finger twice. Overall, the performance of this rode has been excellent.

I was under a time crunch when I put that rode together, as I could not get a 1/4 inch gypsy quickly, and was not willing to put a couple hundred feet of 5/16 inch in my anchor locker.

I figured, I'd run the set up I described above and then go with a 1/4 inch all chain in a couple years. I've been so happy with it, I have not bothered.

This rode is now showing it's age. I'll likely replace in the next couple years. But, honestly, 15 years of smooth quiet, easy service makes me think, I'll just buy some new 5/8 inch mega plait and splice it to my current chain.

 

[Stee6043]

I use my anchor/windlass a ton. All chain has some serious advantages, most of which are very obvious. But I don't run all chain for a few reasons:

- It can bring in a ton of mud, and there is plenty where I boat.

- Feeding out and in really shakes the bow roller. This may not be a problem from a structural standpoint, but it sure is loud and obnoxious when going through a couple hundred feet.

- As mentioned, you should use a snubber, which can be inconvenient.

- If your windlass fails and you have to haul manually, make sure you ate your Wheaties.

- In addition to a cut rope, make sure you have a good hacksaw. If you get a ball of links jammed in the gypsy, you will likely need a hacksaw.

- Weight. My gypsy requires 5/16th chain which is very heavy. If I were going all chain, I would consider a 1/4 inch gypsy and chain to save some weight.

- Ever find the chain knotted up in the anchor locker? I have seen this (albeit rarely) happen to boaters I have been with. It can be challenging

I have 35' of 5/16 inch chain and 240' of 5/8ths mega braid. This rode is 14 years old and has had a ton of use. I reversed the spliced end once, and I have replaced the spring on the tension finger twice. Overall, the performance of this rode has been excellent.

I was under a time crunch when I put that rode together, as I could not get a 1/4 inch gypsy quickly, and was not willing to put a couple hundred feet of 5/16 inch in my anchor locker.

I figured, I'd run the set up I described above and then go with a 1/4 inch all chain in a couple years. I've been so happy with it, I have not bothered.

This rode is now showing it's age. I'll likely replace in the next couple years. But, honestly, 15 years of smooth quiet, easy service makes me think, I'll just buy some new 5/8 inch mega plait and splice it to my current chain.

200' of chain upfront helps her plane a bit faster

 

[BillK2632]

My Lewmar windlass is all chain. I had a rope chain combo with my SeaRay, it was always touch where the chain/rope connection went through. Broke the tension finger (it was a LoFrans) all that BS. The Lewmar with chain works perfectly.
As far as maintenance, my manual just says to give it a freshwater washdown and check the electrical connections periodically. They also have instructions on how to take it apart and grease the bearings, but they also say it should never need servicing. I would think however, after say 5yrs in a saltwater environment, it's time to take it apart and clean / grease it.

 

[sbw1]

My Lewmar windlass is all chain. I had a rope chain combo with my SeaRay, it was always touch where the chain/rope connection went through. Broke the tension finger (it was a LoFrans) all that BS. The Lewmar with chain works perfectly.
As far as maintenance, my manual just says to give it a freshwater washdown and check the electrical connections periodically. They also have instructions on how to take it apart and grease the bearings, but they also say it should never need servicing. I would think however, after say 5yrs in a saltwater environment, it's time to take it apart and clean / grease it.

Saltwater makes a big difference. Fresh water boaters have fewer issues. There were written maintenance routines included in the equipment manuals for the mechanicals installed on my boat when it was built.
Suggest you search the website of the company that manufactured your windlass. There will likely be manual that explains what you need to do to keep it working properly.