Slipping anchor chain

[Thepipdoc]

I would appreciate some help!!
Today having braved the "storms" on the River Dart for most of the day, we decided to move from our mooring to a nearby known anchorage.
Al was going well till I attempted to raise the anchor using the electric windlass - at which point it became apparent that the chain was slipping through the windlass mechanism and in the end I had to raise the anchor by hand. This was anything but easy - I had 30mtrs of 8 mm chain to pull and the anchor had a very good hold!
After much puffing and panting I eventually got the chain on the deck, and discovered that whilst the motor was operating OK and the main shaft was rotating, the chain could be pulled through the mechanism without too much effort. There was certainly no resistance.
Is it likely to be a worn or "broken" gypsy wheel and if so is this something that can be fitted by a reasonable DIY mechanic.... i.e. me?!
If not a worn gypsy, what could it be?
Thanks.

 

[hlb]

Sounds like yer clutch needs tightening up, with the handle provided.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Thanks, but that was the first thing I tried but to no avail.
No matter how tight the clutch was tightned it didn't help.

 

[Cliveshep]

Assuming the chain is properly located in the gypsy and not slipping, then either the clutch has gone or you've stripped a gear. Like Sherlock says, "elementary dear Watson, eliminate the obvious, what then is left?" I would remove the gypsy, and check that the shaft is still attached to the motor, and also inspect the clutch.

 

[Sneds]

Does the chain have easy access to the chain locker?

I had this problem and it was due to the chain piling up on itself and there was no room for the chain that still had to cone on board.

I pulled the on board chain down a bit, making a bit of room and it worked a treat.

 

[hlb]

But is it the clutch slipping, or is the chain bouncing over the gear.

 

[Thepipdoc]

I can actually hold the chain while the windlass motor operates and the gypsy rotates. In other words, it seems to be working apart from the fact that the chain can be either held still when it's being operated (or would be operating if all was well) or the chain can be easily pulled from within the chain locker, from the deck when it is still passing through the mechanism.

 

[splosh]

I had this on a few boats I was demoing in the week.
The Gypsy clutch was loose. As stated, try tightening the gypsy with a winch handle in the direction the gypsy turns when lifting the anchor chain.
Or, check under the gypsy in the chain locker that the chain can fall freely.

Or, let us know make of boat, make of winch etc.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Thanks for the replies so far.......the windlass is a a Lofrans Project 1000 fitted to a Sea Ray 270. The chain locker has an enormous amount of space so I can confirm it's definitely not snaging on itself.

 

[Cliveshep]

I can actually hold the chain while the windlass motor operates and the gypsy rotates. In other words, it seems to be working apart from the fact that the chain can be either held still when it's being operated (or would be operating if all was well) or the chain can be easily pulled from within the chain locker, from the deck when it is still passing through the mechanism.

New gypsy then!