Princess 45 Windlass

[Soul_dancee]

Hi everyone,

I have changed my Windlass gearbox twice this year as it keeps sliping and it broke today again, i have a feeling that the boat is too heavy for this Windlass gearbox.

(Attached the Windlass details)

I am between two options eaither to change the gearbox or change the whole Windlass.


Any suggestions from the experts on what would be the best option.


Best Regards.

 

[BruceK]

That gearbox can take up to 160kg working load at motor for the smallest variant. It should be enough to pull up 50m of 10mm chain and a 20 kilogram anchor from a dead lift straight up. If it's breaking while at anchor you have the clutch set to tightly and should be looking at either a chain lock or snubber to take the shock snatch forces. Having said that though for a 45 Princess it does seem a bit light, especially if you pull the chain in while hauling the boat.Look at your anchor setting and retrieval technique

 

[Boathook]

Should never use the windlass to hold the chain whist at anchor. Need to use a chain hook on a rope (snubber) made fast to a cleat and then let out more chain until the snubber is holding the chain. The windlass is only to retrieve the chain and anchor, not drag the boat forward. Use the engines in tickover as required to keep boat speed and chain retrieval the same.

 

[markc]

What has actually broken, is it the motor, the gearbox splines, clutch? I doubt it's the weight of the boat.

Also, I realise it's good practise to use a chain snubber attached to cleats in some circumstances, but it's fine to use the windlass in benign conditions.

 

[BruceK]

but it's fine to use the windlass in benign conditions.

If the clutch is set correctly. (I suspect the OP is not taking advantage of the clutch)

 

[paulajayne]

1. Chain lock
2. Clutch setting
3. Retrevial method ( Do not use windlas to pull the boat above anchor.)

 

[Portofino]

You do see some sights .Both dropping it and retrieval .
I am not commenting without a vid of the OPs technique.

Know some one that’s gone through 3 clutches in a 1.0 L car in 40 000 miles .
You cannot tell her anything.Except hold your nose with one hand ( burnt smell ) and use the other to plug an eardrum ( revs up high ) while manoeuvring . .

She could well be on a car forum slagging the marque off . .

 

[Soul_dancee]

Thanks all for the great comments (i learned alot). I guess it's a combination of errors from my side.

I guess i really need to use a chain lock and not to use the windlass to pull the boat (i am used to muck smaller boats?)

 

[V1701]

You do see some sights .Both dropping it and retrieval .
I am not commenting without a vid of the OPs technique.

Know some one that’s gone through 3 clutches in a 1.0 L car in 40 000 miles .
You cannot tell her anything.Except hold your nose with one hand ( burnt smell ) and use the other to plug an eardrum ( revs up high ) while manoeuvring . .

She could well be on a car forum slagging the marque off . .

And likely marketed as one careful lady owner after she trades it in...

 

[Boathook]

Thanks all for the great comments (i learned alot). I guess it's a combination of errors from my side.

I guess i really need to use a chain lock and not to use the windlass to pull the boat (i am used to muck smaller boats?)

If you go into the PBO section and search for the 'user' Neeves it will bring up a lot of anchor threads. Some of the earlier ones may possibly be helpful. Don't reply to any as you may / will get deluged with replies, etc.

 

[Hurricane]

Yep
That windlass does seem a bit small for the job.
But, I agree with "boathook" - if you are careful, you can make it work.
And I've been through a few windlass gearboxes myself.

As said, the cheapest method is to make up a snubber.
Before I did a big upgrade, I made mine into a bridle.

Here's a pic



Alternatively, you could fit a chain stop as I did during my upgrade.
I fitted my chain stop into the deck in front of the windlass - like this:-



I also upgraded my windlass from a Lewmar V4 to a V5 - Princess seem to under size their windlasses - I have heard it said that they call the anchoring system "Lunch Time Anchors!!!"

So, with a bigger and more efficient anchor (Rocna) and bigger chain, we can now do this kind of thing:-



Thats a Princess 45 on the end - you can see that the load on our Princess 67 is significant.
BTW - when we recovered the anchor, we still use the engines to reduce the load on the windlass as much as possible,

 

[Soul_dancee]

Yep
That windlass does seem a bit small for the job.
But, I agree with "boathook" - if you are careful, you can make it work.
And I've been through a few windlass gearboxes myself.

As said, the cheapest method is to make up a snubber.
Before I did a big upgrade, I made mine into a bridle.

Here's a pic

View attachment 125417

Alternatively, you could fit a chain stop as I did during my upgrade.
I fitted my chain stop into the deck in front of the windlass - like this:-

View attachment 125418

I also upgraded my windlass from a Lewmar V4 to a V5 - Princess seem to under size their windlasses - I have heard it said that they call the anchoring system "Lunch Time Anchors!!!"

So, with a bigger and more efficient anchor (Rocna) and bigger chain, we can now do this kind of thing:-

View attachment 125419

Thats a Princess 45 on the end - you can see that the load on our Princess 67 is significant.
BTW - when we recovered the anchor, we still use the engines to reduce the load on the windlass as much as possible,

Thanks alot for the great comments. And sorry for the late reply as i was engaged in other matters.


I have attached pictures of my bow sections. What would be the best ways to use Chain lock. Or install a chain stop.

I haven't seen one before but in sounds like the safest way to go.

Best Regards

 

[Soul_dancee]

This is another picture

 

[Seastoke]

Make a snubber it also stops the noise of the anchor chain when sleeping in a chop. i hate to say it but Brucek put me on to it.