windlass maitenance

[glen e]

any tips?..it's one of the rare items I have on the boat that I have never done anything to in 3 years...

[Ocean Breeze]

I have a Lewmar windless and I had an issue recently with it. The problem was the anchor rode was coiling under itself and coming out of the bottom while feeding from the top. I had 1/2 inch 3 strand rode. I did a little research and on the windless site they had a bunch of good information including solving the problem I was having. I switched my anchor rode to 8 Plait line, which is a better line and it solved the problems so far. If you look at the article in the website below you will see why it is better than 3 strand.
Here is the article on the correct anchor rode:
http://en.lewmar.com/products/index....=1&page_id=414

If you need a chain and rope sizing guide here is another site:
http://en.lewmar.com/products/index....=1&page_id=415

I use my anchor all the time and am very glad to have the windless. The only other thing I can say about it is when you are pulling the rode in, drive up while the rode is coming in and don't make the windless pull the boat to the anchor. When you get on top of the anchor the wave action should dislodge the anchor or the windless will pull it out.

Also: If you hang your anchor off a bow pulpit which I assume you do, use a safety chain so if the windless goes into free fall you don't get that sudden stopping feeling.

Hope this helps

[glen e]

Thamks OC..I actaully mean normal mantenance - greasing, replacing gypsys, etc...I also use custome ach rode with 40 feet of cjhain and have nevr had a problem. very happy with my hydrobubble anchor too - sets 1st everytime...

[Ocean Breeze]

I have the hydrobubble as well, I think that is the best anchor I've ever owned.

[Kern O]

Glen: As strange as it seems, here's what it says in the manual for my new Lewmar:
"Look after your windlass. At least every six months, disassemble the above deck parts, wash down with fresh water and lightly oil the seal, shaft, cone clutch and spline with 10 wt oil. grease the threads on the chain pipe cover and the stripper screws.
Below deck, check the condition of the motor and gearbox. re-apply grease to the terminals when necessary If corrosion on the motor is evident, clean and repaint with marine grade oil based paint."

That's it. There's no mention of checking the gear oil level in the gear box, which I do anyway. If it is leaking it will be obvious, but I want to see what the oil looks like. The grease on the terminals is because the terminal studs (at least on Lewmar) are steel and will rust like crazy.