Windlass worry

Hereward

New Member
Joined
9 Feb 2014
Messages
8
Location
Brussels
Visit site
Looking for some wisdom. My new-to-me boat came with a SL Anchorman manual windlass (441 I think, with gipsy & drum). It works ok to recover the anchor but I cannot get it to release i.e. it turns CW but not ACW.
Releasing the clutch nut has no obvious impact on the gipsy.
Previous owner suggested it maybe needs cleaning. So I stripped it down, cleaned and greased but still not working. All parts are present and the pawl springs are working fine.
I think I'm being a bit dense but I cannot see how it is supposed to work. With the clutch nut loosened, is the gipsy supposed to lift above the pawls?
The user manual is a bit light on the operations. Any insight gladly received. Thanks
 
When the clutch nut is slackened the gypsy should be free to turn. The nut presses the tapered face of the gypsy against the tapered face which drives it by friction. If it hasn't been released for some time, the two tapered driving faces will be stuck together. Slacken the nut a little, and then using a piece of wood and a hammer, "persuade" the gypsy towards the nut. The two faces are better to be lightly greased.
 
As this is a Simpson Lawrence windlass I'd be tempted to contact John at SLspares.co.uk He used to work for SL and took over all their parts when they went out of business. He still sells new versions of these - have look at his website.
 
As this is a Simpson Lawrence windlass I'd be tempted to contact John at SLspares.co.uk He used to work for SL and took over all their parts when they went out of business. He still sells new versions of these - have look at his website.
I may be wrong but Simpson Lawrence were folded into Lewmar - who, Lewmar, did not then use the SL name. The brands and products SL managed and sold continued, CQR and Delta enduring and good examples.

Jonathan
 
Top