Gypsy

[Jamie Dundee]

The anchor windlass on my Antares 760 currently has an 8mm gypsy. I have 12m of 8mm chain and 60m of 16mm 3ply rode. I’d like to change to 60m of chain and 30m of rode but think 8mm will be too heavy and willleave the boat bow heavy when moored. I recently replaced the foot switches with Quick versions, direct swap. Does anyone know of a proprietary 6mm gypsy which will fit directly to this windlass?

 

[Plum]

Hi, I have the same winch and as that model was manufactured specifically for Beneteau I have not found any sources of spares or alternative gypsies. I now have 30m of 8mm chain then 60m of 14mm line and find that adequate for my needs. That Leroy Somer winch is very robust. If you haven't already, keep the gypsy and shaft greased to ensure the clutch continues to work. Once that clutch binds and seizes it's a big problem to release. You may have to buy a new winch if you want 6mm chain?

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Hi, I have the same winch and as that model was manufactured specifically for Beneteau I have not found any sources of spares or alternative gypsies. I now have 30m of 8mm chain then 60m of 14mm line and find that adequate for my needs. That Leroy Somer winch is very robust. If you haven't already, keep the gypsy and shaft greased to ensure the clutch continues to work. Once that clutch binds and seizes it's a big problem to release. You may have to buy a new winch if you want 6mm chain?

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Cheers for that. Does the boat sit ok with 30m of chain? I don’t want to end up bows down with the rear deck not draining properly.

An additional question - 3 strand rode or 8 plait? I like the 8 strand but have heard that some gypsies don’t.

 

[Plum]

Cheers for that. Does the boat sit ok with 30m of chain? I don’t want to end up bows down with the rear deck not draining properly.

An additional question - 3 strand rode or 8 plait? I like the 8 strand but have heard that some gypsies don’t.

I expect it all depends on what else you have on board but mine is fine with 30m of chain. Just done some quick calcs. Your 12mx8mm chain + 60m rope = 28Kg. My 30mx8mm chain + 60m rope = 53Kg. Your proposed 60mx6mm chain + 30m rope = 56Kg. Worse case 60mx8mm chain + 30m rope = 89Kg. So, worse case versus what you have now is equivalent of putting a 10 stone person on your bow and seeing what affect there is on boat trim.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I expect it all depends on what else you have on board but mine is fine with 30m of chain. Just done some quick calcs. Your 12mx8mm chain + 60m rope = 28Kg. My 30mx8mm chain + 60m rope = 53Kg. Your proposed 60mx6mm chain + 30m rope = 56Kg. Worse case 60mx8mm chain + 30m rope = 89Kg. So, worse case versus what you have now is equivalent of putting a 10 stone person on your bow and seeing what affect there is on boat trim.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Great, thanks. I’ll send Mrs JD to the bow and see what happens. Provided of course we are allowed at some point to get the boat wet!