Hi All, silly question I'm sure,
The windlass on the boat has never worked since I bought the boat, the motor is shot and I have a new one in the way.
I have just removed the old motor.
Should the windlass move freely without the motor installed?
It won't turn either direction.
I'm sure it's designed not to but can someone confirm before I install the new motor.
Thanks
Russ
—
Aurora, Milford Haven, UK
Hull 1489, 1995, Fin Keel
U shape Lounge, Westerbeke M35 engine, Mikuni heating
It may be that the windlass components are seized by rust or corrosion. I had to use corrosion block, let sit for a week, and then break the seal on my windlass, so it would drop the anchor when the clutch was disengaged. Has been working fine for last 5 years...
Bill & Barb
s/v Northern Lights
2002 Catalina 36 MKII #2086
Rock Hall, MD
Northern Chesapeake
Many thanks, ill try that, just to confirm, the windlass really should be able to spin by hand if there is no motor attached?
is there a particular way to disengage the clutch?
thanks
russ
Aurora, Milford Haven, UK
Hull 1489, 1995, Fin Keel
U shape Lounge, Westerbeke M35 engine, Mikuni heating
Russ, I am not sure what yours looks like, but normally there is a place on the top of the drum where you can use a winch handle and turn counterclockwise until the drum turns freely.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Many thanks, unfortunately this must be a very early model that does not have the slot for the winch handle.
i will hit it with PB Blaster and see if we can get some movement.
Thanks again
Russ
Aurora, Milford Haven, UK
Hull 1489, 1995, Fin Keel
U shape Lounge, Westerbeke M35 engine, Mikuni heating
Russ I have a Maxwell VW800 so it's not the same as yours but on the end of the gear box there should be a clear site glass to check the oil level. If your unit has run with low or no oil for any period of time the brass gears may be chewed up and need replacement too. You'll need to separate the gear box from the motor so you might as well pull the two pieces apart and investigate the mechanical parts before changing the electrical component.
I'm not sure how good Maxwell's tech support is in the UK but I received excellent help here in the US when working on my windlass.
Thanks Ken, much appreciated, i will pull it apart and take a look
Thanks
Russ
Aurora, Milford Haven, UK
Hull 1489, 1995, Fin Keel
U shape Lounge, Westerbeke M35 engine, Mikuni heating