Leroy Somer windlass on Beneteaus

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Beneteau381

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Most owners realise that these windlass fitted to Beneteaus late 90s and early 2000 s are obsolete. Mine has just cratered, the glue that holds the magnets to the body has failed and of course the rotor tries to turn them and has jammed and broken them. I was lucky, 34 kts in Culatra Portugal off a lee shore and I managed to reset the anchor and lift it. However €1300 to SVB for a new Lofrans, sigh!
Anyway to the point of this post, the brushes holder and half worn brushes are ok and not too difficult to bring home for someone The stator? hmm, if someone is desperate for one contact me, its heavy, and so is the gearbox. The bronze brake and ten mm gypsy?
If anyone is interested, contact me.
 
colind3782 said:
I don't know which model you have but I googled Leroy Somer windlass motor and the prices quoted don't seem onerous. Can you just replace the motor?
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or take it to a local workshop and have them drill and tap the mag blocks through the motor casing......
 
colind3782 said:
I don't know which model you have but I googled Leroy Somer windlass motor and the prices quoted don't seem onerous. Can you just replace the motor?
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Google will give you lots of results for general LS motors because that is what they make. They toyed around with making windlasses for a while and when they gave up Beneteau/Jeaneau bought up all their stock. There is absolutely no support or parts available anymore except recycled bits as per the OPs kind post. The failures are usually to the windlass parts due to the use of aluminium construction, so replacing a motor seems to be just postponing the inevitable . Mine is soldiering on but I expect to have to replace it sometime (when I will also go down to 8mm chain as 10mm is overkill on my 34ft).
 
colind3782 said:
I don't know which model you have but I googled Leroy Somer windlass motor and the prices quoted don't seem onerous. Can you just replace the motor?
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Thanks for the info, the ones used, as others have said dont exist, The local general repair man said he could source one. i said he couldnt, he came up with a 24v poorly photographed effort that is allegedly for sale on a german site. Trust me, I have looked extensively over the years for bits. I found a LS sales rep in Blackpool way a few years ago, he confirmed, no spares although then he said he could maybe find some brushes.
 
I am searching for 8mm gypsy for Leroy Somer windlass. Does anybody know where to find or if it is compatiple with other ones? Can also change mine 10mm to someones 8mm if interested..
 
Thanks for your reply. I started looking primarily at above-deck windlasses as I'm a bit reluctant to cut big holes in the deck, but that one doesn't look too bad.
 
KompetentKrew said:
Thanks for your reply. I started looking primarily at above-deck windlasses as I'm a bit reluctant to cut big holes in the deck, but that one doesn't look too bad.
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I have a Kobra as well, although I would prefer a Cayman but it is a big beastie and there is not room for it on deck. There are smaller on deck such as the Lewmar and Quick but not in the same league as a Lofrans (IMHO!)
 
KompetentKrew said:
You think Lofrans are the best quality?
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In comparison with the others at similar price level and readily available, yes. Just need a bit of care with the stainless fastenings into the aluminium body. My first Bavaria had a Cayman and was used as a charter boat for the first 7 years in the Med where the windlass gets used at least 4 times a day and it performed faultlessly. Only problem was the people who maintained it did not take it off and clean the bottom every year as Lofrans suggest and the bottom face corroded around the mounting bolts. With its replacement I removed all the fastenings and put them back in with Duralec painted the bottom face and did not use the foam rubber gasket as this retains water. This is common advice from other owners. The Lewmar on my next Bavaria lasted 5 years of light use - maybe 250 operating cycles before the motor seized. Not difficult or costly to replace, but although nicely made with a stainless body it is a toy in comparison.
 
Tranona said:
In comparison with the others at similar price level and readily available, yes. Just need a bit of care with the stainless fastenings into the aluminium body. My first Bavaria had a Cayman and was used as a charter boat for the first 7 years in the Med where the windlass gets used at least 4 times a day and it performed faultlessly. Only problem was the people who maintained it did not take it off and clean the bottom every year as Lofrans suggest and the bottom face corroded around the mounting bolts. With its replacement I removed all the fastenings and put them back in with Duralec painted the bottom face and did not use the foam rubber gasket as this retains water. This is common advice from other owners. The Lewmar on my next Bavaria lasted 5 years of light use - maybe 250 operating cycles before the motor seized. Not difficult or costly to replace, but although nicely made with a stainless body it is a toy in comparison.
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My mate has a Lofrans on his oldish Dufour, the bolts holding the stripper, SS to aluminium, were seized, I broke one despite back and forth etc and being carefull. I took mine out and have greased them with lithium white grease. I also have fitted remote doofers, Warrior brand from an outfit that sells them for 4 wheel drive winches. Less than £30, spot on!
 
KompetentKrew said:
Thanks for your reply. I started looking primarily at above-deck windlasses as I'm a bit reluctant to cut big holes in the deck, but that one doesn't look too bad.
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I set the template up to line the chain fall up as per instructions, the big hole I then cut using chain drill and a jigsaw. The Bemeteau plinth is thick ply with gel and figlass on top and bottom. I made sure everything fitted then west epoxied the raw edges.
 
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