fliti
Well-Known Member
The time has come to replace the windlass on our Beneteau 50. Looking at something to lift a 30 kilo delta and 45 metres of 3/4" chain. I would appreciate any recommendations based on personal experience.
Which Windlass?
- Thread starter fliti
- Start date
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
No experience with one as big as that, but the two Maxwells I have owned have been excellent. Between the time I bought my first and second the company was bought out by Vetus and the original design was re-worked, which has resulted in simplification and improved materials selection. If parts are needed they are easy to obtain.
Before I bought the second I looked at Muir, which I thought was superb but at the time was a lot more expensive. Australian currency changes since then might have made them more affordable, in which case I would certainly have one.
Before I bought the second I looked at Muir, which I thought was superb but at the time was a lot more expensive. Australian currency changes since then might have made them more affordable, in which case I would certainly have one.
TQA
Well-Known Member
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3/4 CHAIN !! Do you mean 3/8th.
Lots of people on Bene 50s and others in the Caribbean use the ubiquitous Lofrans Tigres which is slightly under specced for the job but seems to do OK. The Lofrans Falcon will definitely do the job.
Lofrans are under new owners so supply may be a problem. Spares are getting through again though.
Lots of people on Bene 50s and others in the Caribbean use the ubiquitous Lofrans Tigres which is slightly under specced for the job but seems to do OK. The Lofrans Falcon will definitely do the job.
Lofrans are under new owners so supply may be a problem. Spares are getting through again though.
tudorsailor
Well-Known Member
This will not help. I have a 50 footer with a 40Kg Rocna. I have a Lewmar ocean windlass. This summer it was get sticky and noisy and I had to dismantle it. The short story is that the lower cone needed pressing onto the drive shaft. I had some problems with the whole episode.
I went to one engineering company at a marina in Croatia. They asked why I needed help. I said I could not quite dismantle a 10 year old Lewmar windlass. Their reply was that at 10 years old, there was no way to get the windlass off without breaking it so be prepared for a new windlass. I left the marina
Next place had a huge workshop. They asked what make of windlass I had. Ah Lewmar they said knowledgeably. "They are all **** and it is wrong to press the cone onto the drive shaft." I left the marina without the windlass being repaired.
Next marina (Frappa) had very posh workshop. What make of windlass did I have they asked. "Ah Lewmar. Excellent make. That is why they are expensive but they give very little trouble!" They pressed the lower cone onto the shaft and I re-assembled the whole thing. I now have a perfectly good 10 year old Lewmar windlass that lifts 40Kg Rocnar and 100m of chain. I would also say that I was able to speak to technical support at Lewmar to get on the spot help.
So three companies that have all sorts of windlasses come through their workshops gave three different opinions. Hard for any of us to give a balanced opinion
TudorSailor
I went to one engineering company at a marina in Croatia. They asked why I needed help. I said I could not quite dismantle a 10 year old Lewmar windlass. Their reply was that at 10 years old, there was no way to get the windlass off without breaking it so be prepared for a new windlass. I left the marina
Next place had a huge workshop. They asked what make of windlass I had. Ah Lewmar they said knowledgeably. "They are all **** and it is wrong to press the cone onto the drive shaft." I left the marina without the windlass being repaired.
Next marina (Frappa) had very posh workshop. What make of windlass did I have they asked. "Ah Lewmar. Excellent make. That is why they are expensive but they give very little trouble!" They pressed the lower cone onto the shaft and I re-assembled the whole thing. I now have a perfectly good 10 year old Lewmar windlass that lifts 40Kg Rocnar and 100m of chain. I would also say that I was able to speak to technical support at Lewmar to get on the spot help.
So three companies that have all sorts of windlasses come through their workshops gave three different opinions. Hard for any of us to give a balanced opinion
TudorSailor
Leighb
Well-Known Member
Could it be that the 3rd place actually sold and had spares for Lewmar and the first 2 just wanted to sell you a new one of the brand the dealt with?
Perhaps that is unduly cynical.
Perhaps that is unduly cynical.
tudorsailor
Well-Known Member
I did not need any Lewmar parts. All I needed was their co-operation and help. They pressed the lower cone onto the shaft, got the Woodruff pin out for me plus lent me some circlip pliers. Best €20 I have spent for a long time.
TudorSailor
TudorSailor
