anchor winch problem

[coolchange]

So, my first world problem of the day is my windlass of 3 years (Lewmar) has decided to be problematic on retrieval. Just recently it has started having a hard time making the transition from the fiber rode to the chain..it gets stuck as in the wheel keeps spinning but it just "skids" along without moving the line into the locker. this is a factory splice and the chain and rode were as specified by the mfg.

any ideas?

(sometimes I can lower and re-raise the anchor to attempt to "bump" past...sometimes works but usually I have to go forward and give a little manual help...which is still better than pulling by hand but not what I prefer)

[Ben423]

I have a 22lb Rocna and 75' of chain spliced to a three-strand nylon rode running through a Lewmar windlass on my boat. The rode occasionally slips when the splice reaches the gypsy. When it does that I give a little tug on the chain and it grabs again. I use foot switches so I'm already on the bow when this happens. With 75 feet of chain, I sometimes have to knock down the 'Castle' that forms in the chain locker as I bring the anchor up, or it can jam the windlass.

[dkirsop]

Likely your rode has stiffened from salt accumulation and is now stacking in the chain locker causing the gypsy to lose its grip. Try washing your rode in a 5 gal bucket of fresh water with Saltaway added. Then rinse it using a change of fresh water with a table spoon of fabric softener added.

[coolchange]

Thanks for the thoughts...salt stiffness is worth a look even though I have been in fresh water for awhile I plan to do a clean up (washing lines and using fabric softener works wonders with dock lines so maybe this too)..maybe a meat tenderizer mallet will be of use

[Paddy]

I have the same issues with my Lewmar Profish 700 with 8 plaid rode. 50% of the time it catches, other times jogging it back and forth works, and the final method is the admiral placing a finger on the control arm. I have a hunch that the control arm spring is 16+ years old and does not offer the same downforce that it once did. Lewmar sells a replacement kit for around $40. I am going to give that a shot first.

As a Rube Goldberg when out fishing alone, a bungie cord across the control arm has been working.

[WillieC]

"As a Rube Goldberg when out fishing alone, a bungie cord across the control arm has been working."

That is a perfect description of the autopilot on our A25!

[DesertAlbin736]

My windlass problem: I don't have one (a powered windlass that is) It's just me & Manuel Labor hauling up 22 lb Bruce & 26 ft of chain.

[coolchange]

Update: it seems the problem is a weakened spring on the guide arm as suggested above ...thanks for the tip. Bungie's and duct tape...never leave home without em..and as boaters maybe add in rescue tape