Lewmar Pro windlass ships water

[MM5AHO]

Last winter I installed a Lewmar Pro windlass to replace an old broken windlass.
This type has a rather exposed hole through the deck for chain to go in.
Last week I encountered rougher weather than I normally sail in and it shipped more water that I'd like, through this hole.
Windlass type: http://www.lewmar.com/products.asp?id=8329&type=110&channel=1

The water comes in and flows mostly down the tube I have under the deck leading to a chain locker in the forepeak under forward bunks. This drains Ok into the bilge, but I don't want water in there.

Is there a good method to prevent this ingress?
A cover perhaps? The hole needs to be there to allow chain flow though, but how to prevent water?

 

[bigwow]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Windlass-...tEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item2a13ed31f3

 

[Tranona]

Either a canvas cover with a drawstring - similar to the ebay one but custom made, or a rubber bung, split to go round the chain and plug the hole. Remember to take it out when you want to use the chain.

 

[theoldsalt]

I just keep an old rag stuffed down the hole and around the chain when not in use. Simple and cheap. (Both me and the solution !!!)

 

[steveallan]

Plastic bag stuffed in the hole works for me then and when you forget to remove it you just lose the bag.

 

[Iliade]

If its a big enough bag you'll always find it again ;0)

 

[Dave_Seager]

I have a similar hole under my windlass, although I have not had problems with water coming in as my windlass is mounted on a wooden platform which reduces the amoutn of water flowing past the hole.

The best solution would probably be to fit a short pipe to the hole, projecting above the deck. Something shaped lik a top hat would work. Alternatively, you could use a staright chain pipe fitting like http://www.marinemegastore.com/product-FLAT-CHAIN-PIPE-st-steel-PLA_13249.htm

A canvas cover might not make much difference. If there is water flowing across the deck it would probably flow under the cover too.

 

[JimC]

Agree - simplest solution is to stuff a bit of sponge rubber or a rag into the hole. Have you found the Lewmar to be a good windlass? I've been considering getting one.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Shaped Tapered Plug With Chain Hung Off Works Well

I have an old SL400 windlass which has a rectangular hole / flange about 4" x 2" directly above the hawse pipe. It too ships a lot of water when punching into a seaway.

I have a tapered wooden rectangular plug about 1" in depth to fit the rectangular hole. I remove the anchor chain and attach it to an eyelet on the bottom of the plug, then place the plug into the hole and press lightly with my foot; it works a treat. I can store the current anchor (CQR) in a dedicated well shaped to fit but I could easily tie back the shank to keep it on the stem head fitting.

Unfortunately I can not access the bottom of the plug as the hawse pipe is in the way. My first design idea was to clamp the plug from below but that could not work on my boat unless I converted the hawse pipe to be removable. The plug has not loosened up yet but it will one day, then I shall pull the chain taught from the anchor locker with some line to a fixture to wedge the plug firmly in place.

I use a standard D type shackle to connect the anchor to the chain (moused) so its no big deal to disconnect.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

FWIW I had a similar problem. I glassed in a new bottom to the chain locker and made it drain a couple of inches above the waterline. I have 40+ metres of chain and this fits well in the space available. Only problem is when I use all of the chain as it tends to pile up to the hause pipe and needs to be shoved so as to topple the 'pyramid'. Not really a problem, even if I am single-handed. Most times it is not even necessary. Water follows a fast-in fast-out path and there is no mess and no smell below.

Forgot to mention. The new locker being self-draining I no longer have a problem with the bottom part of the chain sitting in a pool of stagnant water and forming a solid clump as used to happen before.

 

[MM5AHO]

The simplest solutions are mostly the best. Why didn't I think of stuffing a rag in the 'ole?
The winch sits of a slightly raised portion of the deck, so its only in rough weather, (green over the bow) that it ships water. But a rag would do.
The chain locker drains into the bilge. Its too low to drain outboard, and I don't want a hole in the hull, drains like that tend to stain. (Our scuppers drains don't even do that, they join the cockpit drains and drain out below water level.

JimC
The Lewmar was a good choice. Made totally of stainless, came as an excellent kit, including a sensible sized circuit breaker. It replaced a Simpson Lawrence that was very old and would have cost more to refurbish that to replace. Installation took about 3 hours. Its very powerful and quite fast. At least 2 - 3 times as fast as old one, which used to grind away slowly. This one pulls the bow round into wind, and runs the chain in so rapidly I wonder how we coped before? I used the same switch (handpiece with plug into deck mounted socket) as old winch. Recommended windlass.