S & L Hyspeed windlass chain

[smithy]

Does anyone know if 8mm din 766 chain will run smoothly on this windlass? According to the manual this and many other sizes are listed. I have read that S & L were optimistic about the range of chains their gypsies accomodated. I have both gypsies they make for this model.

 

[Neeves]

Does anyone know if 8mm din 766 chain will run smoothly on this windlass? According to the manual this and many other sizes are listed. I have read that S & L were optimistic about the range of chains their gypsies accomodated. I have both gypsies they make for this model.

Cut a length of chai enough for one wrap round the gyspies and try it. If you already have the chain, easy (as you already have the gypsies) you might need to buy a short length if you don't have any 8mm and need to source from a chandler.

Both specs for 8mm metric chain are the same size (its only 10mm that is different). If they are old SL gypsies they may be 5/16th" in which case 8mm will not fit and it will be obvious when you do the wrap.

Jonathan

 

[smithy]

I tried wraping 8mm chain around both gypsies but I'm not happy with the fit on either one. The original chain is nearer 9mm. A couple of the older boats in the yard also seem to use the same chain so its probably imperial. Looks like I'm stuck with the original unless someone still makes imperial chain.

 

[Neeves]

I tried wraping 8mm chain around both gypsies but I'm not happy with the fit on either one. The original chain is nearer 9mm. A couple of the older boats in the yard also seem to use the same chain so its probably imperial. Looks like I'm stuck with the original unless someone still makes imperial chain.

CMP who make the Rocna anchor and sell chain under their Titan brand make Imperial chain for the American market. I don't know how they are set up in Europe but here in Oz there is still a call for Imperial chain and they have held stock. Go to your nearest Rocna dealer and have a word.

I don't know what the specification was for the UK Imperial chain, before my time. But there are a number of Imperial specs and the wire size is, obviously, Imperial. So 5/16th: (close to 8mm) comes in BBB, G30, G43 specifications. If you go to a Rocna dealer and he has imperial chain you will need your gypsy to try for fit. The spec for the chain would normally be engraved, embossed in the gypsy, round the circumference or between the 2 plates.

Jonathan

 

[smithy]

I know the number of both gysies and according to the manual the larger should take a whole range of chains including 8mm and 10mm but in practice it just doesn't seem to work. I think I am going to find some imperial chain.

 

[Neeves]

The specifications for current Imperial chain, and I suspect this applies to N America may not apply to Imperial chain made decades ago in the UK. But there again maybe current American chain encompasses whatever was made in the UK.

The current specs are contained here

Welded Chain Specifications

I doubt you chain will be G43 but it may be Imperial G30 or BBB, BBB is quite an old spec and if I had to bet I'd start by looking at BBB.

However I suspect these specs are not much use to you as you really need to fit these chains round your gypsy.

You might be able to count the links in your gypsy and make a guess by trying to fit you existing chain and looking at the differences - if that makes any sense

If it were me I'd be on the phone to find out who stocks CMP Titan Imperial in the UK and do they have 5/16th" BBB and/or Imperial G30 in stock - and hopefully make a visit. The other avenue is to send an email to CMP Titan, they are based in Canada, and ask them who might stock in the UK.


You are not alone - searching for Imperial chain is not common but does happen - if you have success, or not, post how you get on.

Jonathan

 

[Motor_Sailor]

Before you invest too much time and money into finding some obscure chain for that windlass, I would check a couple of things: The first is what condition is it in? I have one of those Hyspeeds and they are very basic with a horrible mix of aluminium, plain steel parts together with old single speed bicycle parts that were never intended for such loads. The lubrication 'system' is beyond imbecilic with an inch or so of oil sat at the bottom of the case and all the parts that need lubricating at the top, relying on the forlorn hope that you'll be so energetic with your anchor retrieval that some oil is thrown up to where it is needed. As a result they are often in terrible condition internally, and impossible to strip down. The test of their basic servicability is to see whether you are able to remove the tufnel cone (that's under the gypsy) from the shaft. If, as a minimum, the securing pin and the cone can be removed from the shaft, you then will be able to remove the side panel and use spray penetrants and grease to at least breath some life into the chains and bicycle freewheels, which contain the ratchets in which the whole thing relies on. Getting oil into the furthest freewheel requires a lot of ingenuity. Don't even try to remove the warping drum as it is aluminium on a plain steel shaft with a plain steel key. Lots of heat and a hydraulic puller usually results in chunks of the drum sheering off.

But working from the one side does allow you to get a good view of it internally. If you think it's all working and is lubricated, then put the side plate back (probably with Helicoils) and the tufnel cone and pin with loads of Lanocote. Then start looking for the smaller size of gypsy (Part Number: 510-RCA70) which handles both 5/16 and 8mm. Luckily as these windlasses were cheap, common and badly made, you will find lots to choose from in boatyard skips. And of course the smaller gypsy come off easily as such a quality part was never really happy being associated with the rest of it any way. (There were iron gypsies used as well, which were more compatible in quality with the rest of it.) Using the smaller gypsy and modern common chain will make sure it's more likely to be compatible with your next windlass.

 

[smithy]

"Then start looking for the smaller size of gypsy (Part Number: 510-RCA70)"
I already have one of these as well as the larger gypsy, the problem is 8mm doesn't seem to lie on this too easily. I was hoping someone was using 8mm chain on one and tell me how well it worked. I have a complete spare windlass so I will have a practice run at a strip down on that. I can't believe they used a zinc plated shaft, surprising it has lasted this long.

 

[vyv_cox]

I know the number of both gysies and according to the manual the larger should take a whole range of chains including 8mm and 10mm but in practice it just doesn't seem to work. I think I am going to find some imperial chain.
View attachment 129525

Something very odd about that table. There is no way the ssme gypsy will take 1/4 inch and 10 mm.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

I was hoping someone was using 8mm chain on one and tell me how well it worked.

Well, I use 8mm chain on that gypsy and it works fine.

 

[smithy]

Well, I use 8mm chain on that gypsy and it works fine.

That's what I needed to know. No jamming or jumping then?

 

[Motor_Sailor]

No jamming or jumping then?

It works fine, but in common with all horizontal axis windlasses, the wrap is only a maximum of about 1/4 turn. If due to the arrangement of the anchor roller, the angle the chain arrives at the gypsy is from above,, then there is only about one link engaged which is never good. Ideally the chain should go from the gypsy to the anchor roller in a slightly downhill direction.