Keep an eye on your windlasses

[Veebyes2]

Mine ceased to work sometime between December & Jan when the boat was hauled. Oh well, one more thing to put on the 'to do' list.

A look into the anchor locker & this is what I found





The boat is 11 years old & the windlass has had a good workout in the 7 seasons that we have had it. We are regular on the hook overnighters.

The big job today was removing the beast which was solidly seized in place. God bless boatbuilders, not just Albin, but they put things together without any consideration that they will ever be removed. No lube was applied to the parts that had to be separated. No sealer/resin was applied to the wooden core of the pulpit. Little annoying details that show up long after the boat has left the dealers yard.

Notice the variety of non marine type 'weapons' that were needed to extract the windlass.





The windlass motor has had over half of its thickness rusted away.

[med2alfa]

It looks like saltwater spray from your anchor rode has been building up on top of the windlass motor. I wonder if fitting a length of pvc tubing into the hause hole to a depth of something below the motor would keep the spray off the motor and fittings.

By the way, the wife loves your mauve van.

[tomcat rio]

...what type windlass you going to replace it with?


...

[Veebyes2]

I'll replace it with the same. A Lewmar. Really don't want deal with filling holes & drilling for a different model or make.

It is the type of thing where it would be nice if manufacturers could standardise. hole requirements.

[jcollins]

Hmmm...mine is a 95. Guess I'll be looking around in there this weekend.