Who fabricates the ABI windlass?

wnor · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007

Do you know who fabricates the parts for and assembles the ABI windlass (information available at www . abimarine . com / AnchoringDocking / pages / 200012 . htm [sorry to break the URL, but I don't have enough postings on this site yet to post a URL])? Have the sources changed much over the last 10 years or so? In other words, has this historically solid windlass succumbed to the "China Syndrome"?

Thanks for considering these questions.

Sailormann · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007

Just bought some ABI Vents... Seem pretty solid to me. Well made.

wnor · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007

I received no reply to an email inquiry at ABI. I just bought a windlass. The bar code label on it prominently states "CHINA"; no other documentation was included. Just about all the internal "stainless steel" components are accessible through its base, and fishing around with a magnet reveals no ferromagnetic components other than two exterior bolts. China's general reputation for wretched quality is richly deserved, but, so far, this windlass seems to be OK. A caution: ABI's catalog numbers for a wildcat for 5/16" High Test may be screwed up. In any event, I ordered such a wildcat but received one with "3/8" HT" stamped on it that did not fit new ACCO G-40 chain still in the manufacturer's drum (i.e., probably not another badly executed Chinese counterfeit!).

Freesail99 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007

What did that windlass cost ? Almost to pretty to use.

wnor · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007

I got one for $1605, but that was immediately before a price increase (falling US dollar?) Check out marinemailorder . com and sailboatstuff . com. When I was looking I found online quotes ranging from $1579 to over $3000 for the same catalog number, so it pays to shop around. It is, indeed, pretty, but I suspect one season of good use will take care of that! It does seem well built - no plastic bearings, rotting aluminum castings, etc.