We have a new-to-us 36' (2000) MKII with a windlass that won't free-fall smoothly. It has been serviced and cleaned and spins smoothly when the clutch is released, but when loaded with chain it just won't fall freely. I need to manually reverse the direction by hand, then it'll drop 8 inches or so and stop. Then I do it again and hand feed in the opposite direction, let it drop and get 8-10" out of it. Clearly it's not an effective anchoring solution as is. Anybody run into this before? Can't tell if it's chain wear (probably original windlass and chain) or internal troubles.
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Sandy Paige / Meg Arnold
"Shenandoah"
C36 2000
Emeryville, CA
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL