Windlass - Sticking Clutch

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Occasionally my small Lewmar clutch sticks.

I see there is already a thread from the past (link below) Any more suggestions to add pl's?

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?172189-Lewmar-windlass-slipping

S.

 

[Jamesuk]

Occasionally my small Lewmar clutch sticks.

I see there is already a thread from the past (link below) Any more suggestions to add pl's?

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?172189-Lewmar-windlass-slipping


S.

When does it stick? Describe the symptoms. Cheers

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Hi Jamesuk

Good point. I should have been a little more clear.

It's one of the Lewmar Pro series windlass and is about 10yrs old.

It's often extremely difficult to undo the clutch. Mine has a manual drop and only weighs anchor and if its done up tight, it often

needs a whack with something to enable me to undo the clutch with the spanner supplied.

Looking through the postings on the old thread it seems that I should take it all apart and clean it to 'free up' the clutch.

Today I've been looking further (poss' where I should have started), at YouTube and found many videos including this which has a

second and third video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4qJtsppsI8

They are amateur video but still give a very good showing of what can go wrong with the bearings inside.

I don't think mine has become that bad but I'm now armed with far more information if it has.

 

[rotrax]

Scotty-is the clutch like my Lofrans? This has a cone driven into the gypsy by the locking nut. If it is this type cleaning the cone and mating faces should help.

 

[Adamastor]

Lubricate your windlass much?
A good overhaul and regular maintenance will have you right in a very short time!

 

[Jamesuk]

We have a different style anchor system (vertical windless) I grease it every 4 weeks. That would be a total clean and new grease.

I then wash it after every use.

Sometimes when we free drop it, a squeal is heard. That usually happens if A we drop in 15m or more or B Salt has dried in the windless area and it's time for a clean.

I'm not sure with your system just routine once per Month maintence is required.