Lofrans Clipper electric windlass - feedback good or bad ?

[homa]

I have narrowed my search down to the Clipper 1000W, 12V vertical windlass.

Apparently it replaces the Progress model.

Has anyone any experiences of the Clipper model good or bad ?

Tx
Homa

 

[Talbot]

lots of people have the Airon.

 

[homa]

Tx

But the airon is not made any more.

I am looking to buy new

 

[Talbot]

Airon still shown on Lofrans site
and available from
here
or here
or here etc.

 

[homa]

OK I stand corrected,
was only going by the information supplied from the Lofrans UK approved supplier ECS
I'm still after feedback from any Clipper owners as it is supposed to be an updated and improved version of the Progress model
Cheers
Homa

 

[pelicanpete]

The motor cover, if it is in a damp chain-locker (which most will be) will rust out quicker than you can say "ferrous-oxide". This will lead to electrical problems. Some people I know have Hammerited the bodywork and silicone sealed the electric terminals. For these reasons I opted to fit a horizontal windlass where the motor and connections are housed in a waterproof casing above decks.

 

[GMac]

Spary any motor bits with CRC Soft Seal or similar, works a treat.

 

[homa]

I plan to mount the windlass on deck at the aft end of the chain locker with the motor just inside the focsle cabin (in the dry).
The chain locker is about 30" deep so hopefully shouldn't have too much trouble with chain piling up.

 

[jerryat]

Homa, that is exactly the way I installed our Lofrans Airon. As you imply, with the motor inside the forecabin and the 'business' end over the anchor well, we get the best of both worlds - a bone dry, totally corrosion-free motor and the chain dropping into the deepest part of the chain locker.

I made a boxing for the motor which is covered with vinyl to match the rest of the boat and now we forget it's there. Checking the motor/connections from time to time is simple, clean and dry.

A tip which may help you with the chain. We found initially that the chain tended to pile up a bit too quickly as it was entering so close to the forward face of the chain locker bulkhead. The cure was to bolt a wedge-shaped piece of hardwood to this forward face, close under where the chain enters the locker, so that it is deflected further forward.

The result is that, unless we're using more than 40-50 metres of chain, we don't need to dash down and do the 'anchor-chain-push' when weighing anchor!!!

Our Airon is just like new despite being used for scores of anchorings over a seven plus year full time cruising period. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif