Lofrans or Lewmar?

[CFarr]

Sorry. Yet another windlass query.
I've been looking for an electric windlass for the boat and have come down to one of 4.

Lofrans Project 1000
Lofrans X2
Lewmar CPX1
Lewar CPX2

I'd more or less decided on one of the Lofrans as the Lewmars looked a bit slow - also the Lofrans 1000 came out best buy in YM Nov 2012 test.

On ringing the chandlers for final advice though, I hear that they've been having a lot of problems with Lofrans recently, getting parts etc., due to a takeover by a Greek company (?).

So, any ideas?
Should I still go with my preferred choice or go with the Lewmar?
Will Lofrans new owners resolve their issues?
If you search the web enough there are plenty of bad/good reviews for both makes - so, 6 and 2 threes really.

BTW, Maxwell/ Muir, although highly recommended, are a bit out of my price range unfortunately.

The boat is 36ft so we do come in spec for the CPX1 but I'd rather go bigger.
I need a vertical one due to installation restrictions and we'll probably have Circa 40m of 8mm chain.

I've procrastinated long enough, time to make a decision.
Help.

 

[TonyBuckley]

Lofrans went bust I believe and got bought up by a small company that is not really geared up for world wide distribution.

Or at least that's what a chandler told me when a I bought a manual windlass.

And that was about a year ago, so doesn't sounds like things are getting better very quickly.

 

[KellysEye]

We had a Lofrans 1,000 and were pleased with it but someone has posted they had gone bust but their web site is still there and chandlers are still selling them and no sign of a Greek takeover that I can find. http://www.lofrans.com/

 

[Boo2]

Sorry. Yet another windlass query.
I've been looking for an electric windlass for the boat and have come down to one of 4.

Lofrans Project 1000
Lofrans X2

The X2 has the advantage over the Project 1000 in that the solenoid box is separate from the motor so if it goes tu you can replace it without needing a complete new motor assembly. The X2 plus is the all-stainless version of the X2 and should have fewer corrosion issues.

Sorry. Yet another windlass query.
I've been looking for an electric windlass for the boat and have come down to one of 4.

Lofrans Project 1000
Lofrans X2
Lewmar CPX1
Lewar CPX2

I'd more or less decided on one of the Lofrans as the Lewmars looked a bit slow - also the Lofrans 1000 came out best buy in YM Nov 2012 test.

On ringing the chandlers for final advice though, I hear that they've been having a lot of problems with Lofrans recently, getting parts etc., due to a takeover by a Greek company (?).

I guess you already know that Peachment (http://www.peachment.co.uk/) are the new disty for Lofrans in the UK, if I were you I'd check them for stock and delivery for all the parts you decide you need and also for current spares availability before buying a new Lofrans. That being said, I did buy my X2 Plus at the depths of uncertainty regarding Lofran's future and it seems to have panned out OK.

Don't know anything about Lewmar windlasses but if they are as good as their winches they should please most people.


Boo2

 

[charles_reed]

We had a Lofrans 1,000 and were pleased with it but someone has posted they had gone bust but their web site is still there and chandlers are still selling them and no sign of a Greek takeover that I can find. http://www.lofrans.com/

Bust - yes

Taken over - no

Owners of all the designs, parts, jigs - Lazilas

Every time I've bought a Lazilas product I've been disappointed - I contacted them twice about a product for which they had the Greek distribution rights, about 10 months ago. I had no response.

I fear there's probably no future in Lofrans gear.

However their bitter rivals, also in Monza, are still trading - Quick.

 

[CFarr]

Ok Gentlemen, thank you for the insights.
Sounds like it will be the Lewmar.

 

[GrahamM376]

Bust - yes

Taken over - no

Owners of all the designs, parts, jigs - Lazilas

Every time I've bought a Lazilas product I've been disappointed - I contacted them twice about a product for which they had the Greek distribution rights, about 10 months ago. I had no response.

I fear there's probably no future in Lofrans gear.

However their bitter rivals, also in Monza, are still trading - Quick.

Lofrans were part of the Navimo/Plastimo group who did go bust and Lalizas took Lofrans over. Their production director Luca is still with them and production is running and should be back up to speed this year. As others have said, Peachment have been appointed UK distributors and I purchased a Lofrans Kobra from them a few weeks ago.

http://www.lalizas.com/new.php?selected_id=40

 

[Bertramdriver]

I've just bought a new windlass from Nautica in Piraeus. Everyone I talked to around the boatyards said no to Lofrans. They are still in a post takeover mess, the quality is poor and parts a nightmare. The Greek vote is for Lewmar with Quick a long way second.
Interestingly the very knowledgable assistant pointed me away from the current Lewmar range towards some older obsolete Simpson Lawrence models. As an ex salesman I think I know a switch when I see it, but he proved the point by putting both items side by side on the counter and doing a detailed comparison. The older Simpson Lawrence model was heavier built and clearly made for abuse. The newer Lewmar looked flimsy by comparison. The offer of a three year warranty sealed the deal. So in a market that really knows about their windlasses Simpson Lawrence comes out tops.

 

[KellysEye]

>Bust - yes Taken over - no Every time I've bought a Lazilas product I've been disappointed

They were taken over by Lazilas in 2013. http://www.peachment.co.uk/lofrans-windlasses/ Scroll down to the bottom for Lofrans spare parts.

 

[snowleopard]

I tried for years to get spares for my Lofrans after it packed up. The 2 UK agents kept losing the orders and I never did get the parts. Pathetic.

 

[charles_reed]

>Bust - yes Taken over - no Every time I've bought a Lazilas product I've been disappointed

They were taken over by Lazilas in 2013. http://www.peachment.co.uk/lofrans-windlasses/ Scroll down to the bottom for Lofrans spare parts.

Suggest you check rather more carefully the precise nature of the "takeover" - Lazilas did not buy the company, which would infer they also took over all the failed company's obligations.
They purchased the rights to the designs and any bits lying around.
If they decided that they weren't going to honour a warranty from the original Lofrans, or a piece broke because it was not suitable for use the purchaser would have to whistle for replacement.

I suggest it was this, post-sale service, that the OP was trying to check out.

 

[West Coast]

Went through the same process 2 years ago when fitting a horizontal windlass, choice came down to lewmar vs lofrans models. At the time, lofrans were still available, but their future was totally unknown so opted for the lewmar. It has worked well since installation, seems good kit and info from lewmar during the installation process was quickly and freely available.

 

[Murv]

I needed a service kit for a Lofrans windlass, I contacted Lofrans who put me on to peachment who delivered my service kit the next day.
OK, it's my one and only experience of dealing with Lofrans, but the support was very good in my case.