lustyd
Well-Known Member
@vyv good point it's all French kit from 1999 so must be some kind of metric which narrows the field considerably.
Chain and windlass
- Thread starter lustyd
- Start date
skipmac
Well-Known Member
I mentioned SAE chain sizes as an example. Metric also comes in different link lengths for the same wire size. For example 10mm A7 windlass chain comes with links inside length of 28 mm or 30 mm. 10 mm DIN 766 is 28 mm inside length. Small difference but over wrapping 8-10 links around a gypsy could be enough to cause slippage. There may be other metric standards with even different lengths.
I am just trying to make one simple point. You cannot buy chain; metric, inch or whatever based solely on the diameter of the wire used to make the links. 10mm chain comes in different link lengths and the length is more important for proper fit in a gypsy than the link wire diameter.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
As first up I'd take the gypsy off and look for the sizes which should, might?, be stamped into the gypsy. The size could be between the plates which is why you need to take it off.
It will be interesting to learn the answer but the pockets don't seem wide enough for a bigger link. The pockets are long because they are designed to hold 2 links, one horizontal and one vertical. The chain does not seem worn - suggesting maybe the pockets are worn, unsurprising after 20 years - which would mean a new gypsy (or as parts seem unlikely, then a new windlass).
If you do need a new gypsy or windlass it opens up opportunity for new chain.
Frabtious day - a chain thread!
Jonathan
It will be interesting to learn the answer but the pockets don't seem wide enough for a bigger link. The pockets are long because they are designed to hold 2 links, one horizontal and one vertical. The chain does not seem worn - suggesting maybe the pockets are worn, unsurprising after 20 years - which would mean a new gypsy (or as parts seem unlikely, then a new windlass).
If you do need a new gypsy or windlass it opens up opportunity for new chain.
Frabtious day - a chain thread!
Jonathan
Rocksteadee
Well-Known Member
Measure the wire diameter.
If metric all links are the same length apart from 10mm.
Measure long inside length.
If 10mm DIN is 28mm ISO is 30mm
If metric all links are the same length apart from 10mm.
Measure long inside length.
If 10mm DIN is 28mm ISO is 30mm
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I'm not seeing a photo either. Could someone re-post or something?
RichardS
N/A
Neeves
Well-Known Member
Are you sure about that?
Richard
I certainly hope the pockets were designed to hold a whole link and part of the adjacent link - if they have worn that much and so exactly I'm amazed.
So - no I'm not sure - maybe the pockets have perfectly worn, only lengthwise. If that is the case a new gypsy (or windlass) is definitely needed. Our 20 year old gypsy had pockets roughly link size with a slot for the adjacent links.
Jonathan
RichardS
N/A
I'm sure that all the gypsys I've seen have a pocket which is just long enough to hold one horizontal link so that the windlass will pull the chain securely in both directions.
Until we know the measurement of the OP's chain, we are shooting in the dark.
Richard
lustyd
Well-Known Member
The more I think about it the more I agree with Neeves. If the links were longer then the vertical link would place the next horizontal link too far forward to fit into the next slot so it kind of makes sense that this is the right size chain and that everything is just worn after 20 years use.
The windlass also seems a pretty poor design having nothing in place to prevent the chain from jumping or skipping, and no safe way to stop a slip that's happening. Newer ones I've seen have various bits of metal which seem to provide these functions
The windlass also seems a pretty poor design having nothing in place to prevent the chain from jumping or skipping, and no safe way to stop a slip that's happening. Newer ones I've seen have various bits of metal which seem to provide these functions
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Since the only time that there should be load on the gypsy, is when heaving in chain, it follows that wear on the gypsy will be concentrated on the aft facing "teeth". If the windlass is used a lot, it is surely unsurprising that there will be appreciable wear. Either build up the wear, if you have the ability, or replace the gypsy, if you don't.
