windlass Q

[vas]

I did post a few pics from the boat I'm considering atm a couple of days ago.

One of the things I noticed is that the windlass does seem to have a small crack in its body, assuming at the one end of the main axle running through it.
I've not tried operating it yet, will do on second viewing on Friday, but could anyone speculate if that's okay to live with, or if I should be calculating the cost of a 1.5kw or thereabouts windlass pretty soon (if not repairable) ?

the windlass

and the detail

cheers

V.

 

[Ripster]

TBH the whole installation looks a bit - well - err dodgy! Still if it works I suppose that is the important thing. Is it the small crack in the casing you are talking about or something else?

 

[vas]

Yep, installation is dodgy, will be dismantled and secured properly if sale goes ahead...

And yes, I'm talking about the small crack. I d like to kmow if the cost of a new windlass should be considered and be another price negotiation point.

Cheers

V

 

[Firefly625]

Yep, installation is dodgy, will be dismantled and secured properly if sale goes ahead...

And yes, I'm talking about the small crack. I d like to kmow if the cost of a new windlass should be considered and be another price negotiation point.

Cheers

V

certainly should.. even to install correctly what is there would require some GRP work to the underside I would imagine... looks like its trying to pull itself off the deck and it is just being held on with a few screws...

 

[PCUK]

Reflects badly on the whole boat. What else has been bodged that you haven't found?

 

[omega2]

THE CRACK HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE ILL FITTING. The wrap over chain and bracket is really "novel", if you look at the hawse hole it is too big and no meat left to fit the windlass properly, would not be surprised if it is not a write off, and if/when refitted the whole thing does'nt implode.

 

[Divemaster1]

certainly should.. even to install correctly what is there would require some GRP work to the underside I would imagine.........

Wooden boat, so woodwok needed and could be relatively easy to replace the whole piece and supports. Looking at drawings, and experience, you should have good access for repair/replacement. ... but something is needed here....

 

[vas]

Reflects badly on the whole boat. What else has been bodged that you haven't found?

PCUK, that's the main reason I'm worried and looking deeper on smallish details. If you have a look at the original thread where I'm discussing this possible purchase http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=281683 (page 2 second boat and set of photos) I have an odd situation where the seller seems v.relaxed, too old and well off to really be bothered to gain the extra 2k euro, has it on sale for almost a year at 25K, spends annually a hefty amount for engine mantenance that really shows in the e-r and then you see the innovatve mounting wth the chain and a couple of screws on the windlass, and some dodgy bits on smallsh repairs that probably dd them on the spot on an emergency basis. I'm still tending to trust him, but will spend the best part of Fri morning poking, checking, running around trying to figure out the real story (if there is!) behind this 35yr old craft. Maybe I'm a bit ott, but don't think it ever harms to be so when buying...

Omega2, thanks for the info, I'll assume I need a new windlass, and as Alf says, I'm not at the slightest worried of having to fix it and possibly replace the piece of timber it sits on. I'm budgetng for removing the white strippy lining, the marine ply underneath, the 35year old teak deck underneath the lining and redo the lot with new teak...

any ideas on what to focus on second visit should be welcomed!

cheers

V.

 

[vas]

OK, continuing on the thread, on visiting again the skipper told me that couple of years ago they anchored at around 60m on a rocky bed, took them two hours going around and pulling to remove the anchor and in the process it broke the piece of timber it;s bolted on and pulled out the screws (basically fckd up the whole thing big time) On returning they had to cut the timber (hence how it doesn't protrude much - if any) and secured it this way. There was no shore power on Fri so couldn't see/hear it working though he says it's working fine.

PCUK, got the real story behind some dodgy bits of maintenance in that the owner when bored liked to "improve" things mainly electrical and mainly on the bilges where you can find endless complicated combination of pumps wired in odd ways and pumping all over the place. Fairly straight forward job to remove them all and fit one n the front and one at the back plus the backup with 4 vanes that selectively pump water out of different areas of the craft. That very well sums up the impression I got after the 4hours in total spend in and around.

ah, forgot to mention that according to the skipper the owner is quite fat and wont easily fit though the smallish opening at the aft deck, hence the engine bay is in order and intact

cheers

V.

 

[BartW]

recently I have replaced a bigger but similar winch on my boat,

about your winch,

as far as I can see, the crack's your talking about, are in the cover for the electric motor, this is nothing to worry about. just make sure no water ingress.

this cover is not in its correct position,
but similar to my old and new winch this can be repositioned in the correct place, and at the same time fit a new seal between cover and gearhouse.

with some battery power, you will be able to test the winch,
it will probably need som new gearcase oil and TLC, but expect it to be working, if not, spare parts are available at Lofrance (your model is still existing)

about the fixing of that winch, yes the assembly looks really dodgy,
I would cound in, a replacement of the support of the winch, replace the complete old plank, with a thick, solid piece / plate of wood, so that everything is fixed strong enough, en in the exact position, and with the correct fittings, not a dodgy chain...

 

[vas]

Bart,

thanks for the info, read on a thread of yours the problems you had with your winch, didn't realise that such devices are still supported (let alone fabricated!) after 35yrs...

You are right mine is still in production by Lofrans Tigress 1200w and indeed the chain securing has messed up with the cover, pushing it down so nothing structural there.
If purchase goes ahead this will be one of two dozen restoration projects I'll have to embark during the wet and miserable winter days down here..

cheers

V.