S-L Hyspeed manual windlass advice needed

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Harry P

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How do I get it to pay out the anchor chain? I've released the pawl and loosened the clutch wheel nut but nothing happens. I suspect one of two things: firstly there may be something else I have to do to make it work, for example release a lever or slide something. Secondly it could be siezed, if so how do I release it? The mechanism for hoisting the chain works a treat, I just don't know how to let it out:-(

Any ideas?

Regards
 
On my SL Anchorman manual windlass, which is worked with a winch handle in a hexagonal socket on the top of the drum, I lift up the chain by turning the handle clockwise. To release the drum to let the chain out I rotate the handle less than half a turn in the opposite direction. This unscrews the clamping cone a little and allows the weight of the anchor to pull the drum round and lower the chain.

I don't know if your SL Hyspeed works the same way.
 
One possible cause is unrelated to the windlass.

When chain falls into the chain locker it may form a steep pile, which later topples. This can trap the last length of chain under a weight of earlier sections. It will then not release easily and will need some serious pulling by hand to get it out of the locker.

This certainly can happen with my chain locker, and I am currently investigating ways to make the chain behave better when it is retrieved.
 
What you are doing is correct. Try undoing the clutch release completely nadremoving the gypsy and cleaning both mating surfaces. Then greaselightly with some waterproof grease. Mine sometimesneedsmeto move the gypsy across to starboard with the handle to break the sticktion.
 
I had the same problem and it was simply the cone which the nut tightens onto had fused with it's mating surface. It was a pain releasing it and I used a block hammer and chisel to force the cone out after taking the nut off completely. Once off I gave it a good scrub and polish, greased it and replaced. Now when the nut is tight the chain comes up and with half a turn loose it goes down.
 
I had the same problem on my SL. Freed the cone and anchor now drops easily. But - when I heave it in the gypsy pulls in the chain on the heave stroke of the lever but then slips back on the return stroke. Is it supposed to lock? - or does the ratchet with the pivotting metal bit supposed to do this function? Reluctant to open.... welcome any advice.
 
chrisedwards said:
I had the same problem on my SL. Freed the cone and anchor now drops easily. But - when I heave it in the gypsy pulls in the chain on the heave stroke of the lever but then slips back on the return stroke. Is it supposed to lock? - or does the ratchet with the pivotting metal bit supposed to do this function? Reluctant to open.... welcome any advice.
Click to expand...

There are two single speed, 18 tooth bike rear gears on the shaft. The chain goes round one directly and the other via idlers to give motion on both strokes. One of your gears is knackered! Spares can be had from any good bike shop but they will be a pig to get off the shaft as they lock on when hauling in the chain. It is a really simple mechanism which is easily fixed.
 
lever it sideways

Ours tends to stick a bit if not used regularly, however well greased (take the cone off, clean and grease it). Keep the pawl engaged, free the gypsy (less than 1/4 turn is usually plenty) and lever it sideways with the end of the flat lever.

Gordon
 
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