Windlass Advise (Please)

[KeelHaulin]

Originally Posted by dave6330

The currently (dissasembled) manual winch is a S/L hyspeed. Right now it's locked up. Something appears to be frozen inside the main axil shaft that won't allow either of the two sprockets to freewheel.

OK; sounds like your pawls are frozen inside of the geared hubs. Best solution is probably to replace the gears. If you can get the sprockets off of the shaft without damaging the shaft you can replace them with new gears. Don't attempt to rotate the sprocket by the spanner wrench pin holes. You will need to use a punch or make a special tool to engage the slots along the edge of the threaded part of the sprocket hub. This is delicate work to not damage the shaft; and you will probably damage the sprocket hub while removing it.

Two places where you might be able to get the sprockets:

Hyspeed parts - Check the .PDF for the P/N and then send an inquiry; there is no online listing for the part.

You might also try pyacht.com; that's where I got parts to rebuild mine a couple of years ago. They don't have the .PDF posted anymore; but you can lookup parts by P/N and inquire to see if they are in stock. Use the .PDF from slspares to get the P/N.

Simpson Lawrence Windlass Parts

For the sprocket set:
LEWMAR SPROCKET - HYSPEED 510 (pair)

Make sure you can get the old sprockets without damaging the shaft before you order the new parts. Also be sure you can get any/all parts you might need (like seals, bushings, etc.) before you buy the expensive pieces like sprockets (if you are buying from both vendors).

[garymcg]

You can also unscrew the race that is covering the sprocket bearings and pawls, it may be as simple as freeing a stuck pawl. Just be careful as the ball bearings are loose, and numerous to boot. Once you get it apart it will be self-evident if the pawls are engaging or not. I repacked the sprockets on mine without removing them from the shaft, it's worth a shot and won't cost you anything to investigate.

[KeelHaulin]

Yes; I forgot to mention that, the outer gear can have the cover removed while on the shaft, but to get to the inner one you must remove the outer gear, which might result in damage to the hub of the outer gear.

[richsimpson]

If the old windlass that you have removed is a SL 555, I would potentially be interested in purchasing it.

Rich Simpson
303-324-5844
richsimpson@mac.com

[labatt]

Dave - Yes, we use all 5/16" chain, and haul it up by hand first before breaking free. My wife enjoys the exercise.

[whigmaleerie]

Ive got a tiger 555 manual windlass wouldnt change it for the world, it only takes a couple of minutes to get all the chain up, it wakes you up in the morning, you can sail of a anchor not worring about the batteries I dont understand people that want to strap a big electric motor to the bow of there boat it carnt be good. Its never let me down or caused problems could you say that about your electric one????????????? OR MABY IM JUST NOT A LAZY SAILOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stillraining]

OK ...you don't have to shout....I am however.. and understanding me isn't a requirement to be invited aboard for a cold one...but politeness is.....pass go and off to jail with you now...

[sailingdog]

A manual windlass is not a bad idea, especially on a smaller boat, since it eliminates the need for wiring or a windlass-specific battery forward. How long it takes really depends on how deep the water is and how much rode you have out.

I would point out that a large percentage of the very serious injuries I've seen done to cruising sailors is due to powered winches and windlasses. Misuse can lead to crushed fingers and hands or amputated fingers... One sailor I know on these forums recently, this past summer, had one of his fingers badly injured by such an event.

[waded]

Lewmar Windlass experience has been terrible. The customer service out of Florida is what has been terrible. I ordered 3 parts for my new windlass. One of the parts never made it to me. It came out of the box in shipping (we think). Lewmar will not replace this part instead they are charging me for the part again. How is it a customers fault for not recieving the part. At this point I need the part and am stuck. Would I ever recommend Lewmar again, no way!!!!

[dave6330]

Thank you all so much for the insights you've shared. The current winch is one of my many Winter projects and, God willing, I'll be able to see it repaired and reinstalled on our bow this Spring. I did take it into a bicycle shop and was encouraged by the mechanic there. I think that, once I get the mainshaft/sprocket assembly out of the casing, I might get some very good help from that quarter. He said he'd help and might even be able to find sprocket that fits both the mainshaft and the existing chains.

I would PREFER to keep the existing setup, but if I HAVE to replace it, I'll probably go with an electric and just try to be very carefull around it.

Thanks all,

Dave