Gypsy removal

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Graham_Wright

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I have a Lofrans Airon vertical windlass and an anchor (two in fact!).

The bit in between is missing.

I thought I would take the gypsy to Beaulieu boat jumble and buy the chain. Matching it to the gypsy should ensure a proper fit. Despite scouring the web information, I cannot find dismantling instructions. The drawings I have found, suggest the handle may unwind releasing all that lies below?

Anyone help please?
 
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prv

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Don't know that specific windlass, but almost certainly something on the top will unscrew. Either the whole top plate, or possibly a grub screw in the bottom of a winch handle socket.

Since you don't know how to take it apart it's presumably never been maintained, so the gypsy may be stuck on the shaft. I needed to borrow a 3-legged gear puller to get mine off in similar state, and it took some pulling!

It would be worth doing this, and giving it a cleanup and regrease, even if you decide to buy the new chain.

Pete
 
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jwilson

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Graham_Wright said:
I have a Lofrans Airon vertical windlass and an anchor (two in fact!).

The bit in between is missing.

I thought I would take the gypsy to Beaulieu boat jumble and buy the chain. Matching it to the gypsy should ensure a proper fit. Despite scouring the web information, I cannot find dismantling instructions. The drawings I have found, suggest the handle may unwind releasing all that lies below?

Anyone help please?
Click to expand...

The winch-handle fitting at the top of the windlass drum SHOULD easily unscrew anticlockwise to release the clutch with about half a turn. The windlass should have come with a small cast metal handle that fits better than a standard winch-handle. That lets the rope drum still turn under motor power without turning the chain gypsy. As most people never do this the things seize up though.

To remove the gypsy continue unscrewing the winch-handle type bit another maybe 5-10 turns and you SHOULD be able to just lift off the drum and gypsy.

In practice after lengthy soaking in Plus-gas, and application of substantial heat, I finally managed to dismantle my Airon drum/gypsy with only slightly burnt and sore fingers. The warping drum interior was full of gritty brown crud and the base of the alloy drum was badly corroded. The gypsy and cone clutch below looked near-perfect though. In future I will religiously follow the Loftrans instructions to dismantle and clean every six months at least, and turn the handle to release the clutch very frequently, to make sure it doesn't seize up again.

I have "put my name down" with the Lofrans importer Peachments for a new drum when one comes into stock - these (mine under 9 year old) windlasses are old models and spare parts are now unavailable, but apparently Lofrans are making up a special batch of spares as they have had a lot of requests.
 
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Graham_Wright

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jwilson said:
The winch-handle fitting at the top of the windlass drum SHOULD easily unscrew anticlockwise to release the clutch with about half a turn. The windlass should have come with a small cast metal handle that fits better than a standard winch-handle. That lets the rope drum still turn under motor power without turning the chain gypsy. As most people never do this the things seize up though.

To remove the gypsy continue unscrewing the winch-handle type bit another maybe 5-10 turns and you SHOULD be able to just lift off the drum and gypsy.

In practice after lengthy soaking in Plus-gas, and application of substantial heat, I finally managed to dismantle my Airon drum/gypsy with only slightly burnt and sore fingers. The warping drum interior was full of gritty brown crud and the base of the alloy drum was badly corroded. The gypsy and cone clutch below looked near-perfect though. In future I will religiously follow the Loftrans instructions to dismantle and clean every six months at least, and turn the handle to release the clutch very frequently, to make sure it doesn't seize up again.

I have "put my name down" with the Lofrans importer Peachments for a new drum when one comes into stock - these (mine under 9 year old) windlasses are old models and spare parts are now unavailable, but apparently Lofrans are making up a special batch of spares as they have had a lot of requests.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought from the assembly drawing. Mine has led a sheltered life (don't ask!) so it should be straightforward. Removing the lot requires entering the chain locker. Where are grandchildren when you need them?!
 
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prv

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jwilson said:
I never did, always motored the chain down to give a better drop than running out free. That's why mine seized up.
Click to expand...

Each to their own, but when we first got the boat and I didn't realise it had a clutch (being so seized up that it didn't work), I found it very unsatisfactory having to power the chain down. The clutch allows control of the speed, so you can drop the anchor fast to the seabed in your chosen place, then lay the chain slowly across the bottom as you drift back.

Pete
 
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