Windlass winds in, but not out

[vas]

I wonder if this is a general vertical winch issue, I mean does it happen to Lofrans and others or only Lewmar?
As far as I know, the whole series of horizontal Lofrans winches have a clutch "nut" so to speak on the gipsy end and the handle that fits between the casing and rope pulley to manualy retreive the chain (not quick as you need 6+ lever moves for a full turn of the gipsy, but it works...)

V.

 

[DAKA]

I wonder if this is a general vertical winch issue, I mean does it happen to Lofrans and others or only Lewmar?
As far as I know, the whole series of horizontal Lofrans winches have a clutch "nut" so to speak on the gipsy end and the handle that fits between the casing and rope pulley to manualy retreive the chain (not quick as you need 6+ lever moves for a full turn of the gipsy, but it works...)

V.

I am confident that most if not all lofrans can be manually retrieved.

I posted a few years ago but cant find it now about the problems of poor maintenance.

There is a small brass square pin that is crucial to correct operation.

it needs annual attention and needs machine oil.
if grease is used it will stick and not work.

 

[DougH]

I can confirm that you cannot wind in the Lewmar electric windlass with the winch handle. It seems that Hurricane is right it is only for tightening the clutch.

I have a Lewmar V4GD electric anchor winch fitted and I can raise or lower the anchor manually.

The method stated is to slacken and remove the drum and insert an adaptor on top of the gypsy and replace the drum locking nut using the winch handle.

You then use the winch handle to raise or lower the chain/anchor.

The winch handle is certainly not only for tightening the clutch

The adaptor came with the boat, so I am not sure if it is supplied with the winch as standard by Lewmar.

 

[MapisM]

I wonder if this is a general vertical winch issue

It is. Horizontal windlasses are superior in each and every respect, bar aesthetic.
You will never see an horizontal windlass in ANY work boat, and this says it all about them, really.

 

[vas]

It is. Horizontal windlasses are superior in each and every respect, bar aesthetic.
You will never see an horizontal windlass in ANY work boat, and this says it all about them, really.

err, you meant to say vertical there, no?

V.

 

[MapisM]

Ops. Yes, absolutely!

 

[Hurricane]

I have a Lewmar V4GD electric anchor winch fitted and I can raise or lower the anchor manually.

The method stated is to slacken and remove the drum and insert an adaptor on top of the gypsy and replace the drum locking nut using the winch handle.

You then use the winch handle to raise or lower the chain/anchor.

The winch handle is certainly not only for tightening the clutch

The adaptor came with the boat, so I am not sure if it is supplied with the winch as standard by Lewmar.

It would be useful to have more information on this concept
The idea sounds perfectly feasible
Could be a good option as a backup
Ours is a V5 so may be too big though

 

[wakeup]

I have a Lewmar V4GD electric anchor winch fitted and I can raise or lower the anchor manually.

The method stated is to slacken and remove the drum and insert an adaptor on top of the gypsy and replace the drum locking nut using the winch handle.

You then use the winch handle to raise or lower the chain/anchor.

The winch handle is certainly not only for tightening the clutch

The adaptor came with the boat, so I am not sure if it is supplied with the winch as standard by Lewmar.

No such device supplied with my V4 from new, nor any mention of it in the exploded diagrams. Is this an extra accessory? If so have you got a part number and price? I suspect that this feature isn't generic across the lewmar range and you have a specifi GD model.

 

[wakeup]

Ops. Yes, absolutely!

Ok but this is the unit that many of the manufacturers choose to fit to keep the decks clear. Not an option for many of us to change. It is a bit irksome to discover that there is no manual override for retrieval. Poor product selection on behalf of the boat manufacturers and poor product design on part of Lewmar.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Ok but this is the unit that many of the manufacturers choose to fit to keep the decks clear. Not an option for many of us to change. It is a bit irksome to discover that there is no manual override for retrieval. Poor product selection on behalf of the boat manufacturers and poor product design on part of Lewmar.

Ok, but playing devils advocate, how many times have you actually needed to recover your anchor by hand? (ie how many times has your windlass failed, and you've needed this manual recovery function?).

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[DAKA]

Ok but this is the unit that many of the manufacturers choose to fit to keep the decks clear. Not an option for many of us to change. It is a bit irksome to discover that there is no manual override for retrieval. Poor product selection on behalf of the boat manufacturers and poor product design on part of Lewmar.

A quick glance at the lewmar site indicates that all models from V1 to V8 have either manual over ride or Emergency recovery kits available.

Now the bad news...........
I think on your version you have to fit a capstan on top of your low profile windlass if you want manual recovery.

Its all about space, low profile looks pretty but there isnt room to fit a ratchet so manual recovery would be heart attack time !


My windlass has a ratchet in it , it is surprisingly easy to manually recover the chain when the ratchet is working otherwise you have to haul the chain and turn the windlass motor.

You can overide the motor by releasing the top nut a little and the capstan pops up away from the ratchet.


But now the ratchet doesnt work if you haul say 10 m of chain up and take a rest the chain will deploy in about 5 seconds and you have to start again.

If the little brass ratchet pin is lightly oiled once a season then the chain can be recovered without doing anything to the windlass other than putting the handle in the offset hole, you can hear it clicking if it is working properly.

 

[DAKA]

Ok, but playing devils advocate, how many times have you actually needed to recover your anchor by hand? (ie how many times has your windlass failed, and you've needed this manual recovery function?).

Cheers
Jimmy

Until I realised that my chain was too long for the anchor locker I manually recovered our chain every time we exceeded 10m depth, 1/2 dozen times or so.

On a very hot day I think I still have a problem if I anchor with full 60-80 m, decide I want to move and then recover with in an hour( ie 2-3 times up/down full 80 m).

The motor gets hot and needs to cool down, but someone above mentioned deploying the chain free fall and not using the motor (great tip thanks) which will hopefully stop mine over heating

 

[wakeup]

Ok, but playing devils advocate, how many times have you actually needed to recover your anchor by hand? (ie how many times has your windlass failed, and you've needed this manual recovery function?).

Cheers
Jimmy

None in 5 years. But it seems strange to provide 95% of the gear to allow manual retrieval , 100% of the gear to allow manual deployment and leave the users e.g. Moi et JFM under the impression that this is possible without any additional widgets. I can still haul the chain in by hand so it is not a safety risk, more a pain in the ass if I have haul in by hand.

 

[wakeup]

Ok, but playing devils advocate, how many times have you actually needed to recover your anchor by hand? (ie how many times has your windlass failed, and you've needed this manual recovery function?).

Cheers
Jimmy

None in 5 years. But it seems strange to provide 95% of the gear to allow manual retrieval , 100% of the gear to allow manual deployment and leave the users e.g. Moi et JFM under the impression that this is possible without any additional widgets. I can still haul the chain in by hand so it is not a safety risk, more a pain in the ass if I have haul in by hand.

 

[DougH]

It would be useful to have more information on this concept
The idea sounds perfectly feasible
Could be a good option as a backup
Ours is a V5 so may be too big though

Same for V5 and all components available from Lewmar as standard.

 

[wakeup]

An opportunity for a group buy of adapters perhaps ?

 

[DougH]

An opportunity for a group buy of adapters perhaps ?

Just got the Lemar catalogue out (on-line version) and it shows the Manual Overide Kit on page 26 for all V series winches.

Why they do not show these devices under the accessories listings is beyond me.

 

[Hurricane]

Same for V5 and all components available from Lewmar as standard.

Brilliant

Off to the boat tomorrow for a couple of weeks so will look into getting a kit when I return.
Meanwhile I'll just hope it doesnt go wrong - we will definately be anchoring ove the next couple or weeks.

EDIT:- DougH - Any chance of a link to the Lewmar catalogue?

 

[Hurricane]

Ok, but playing devils advocate, how many times have you actually needed to recover your anchor by hand? (ie how many times has your windlass failed, and you've needed this manual recovery function?).

Cheers
Jimmy

Actually Jimmy, I agree with wakeup but in my case it's virtually impossible to lift the anchor without a winch of some sort.

I think I will be looking at a kit.

Strange Lewmar and Aquafax didnt mention the kit when I asked about it.

 

[MYAG]

Any chance of a link to the Lewmar catalogue?

http://www.lewmar.com/catalogue.asp?pdf=1&lang=english