Carver Owners Forum

I need some help identifying the windlass I have installed on my '95 355 Aft Cabin.
I think it's time for a replacement, but I'd like to know what this one is so I can research mounting configurations and minimize drilling and filling if possible.
Last year at the beginning of the season the rode and chain could be pulled up by the windlass. By the end of the season the rode would slip, and the chain would work fine. Now this year everything slips and I have to pull it by hand. Motor spins nicely, but I think the teeth or whatever grips the rode/chain is so worn out it just can't grab anything anymore.
Before I bought the boat the PO had something welded on the windlass according to my slip neighbor. I'm thinking that couldn't be a good thing. I don't see anything on the outside that has weld marks on it ,so I'm betting he did something inside.

I can't find any numbers on the motor other than P10153, which the googler tells me is a replacement motor for either an 800 or 1000 series, but didn't narrow it down enough to a model. There's no markings on the windlass itself. The only other thing that has a sticker with anything on it is the solenoid, but that didn't lead me anywhere either. It does have a horizontal motor.

Any help identifying this windlass and suggestions on a replacement are appreciated as always.

My research is Maxwell R800. Apparently these were the pre RC models. You could also contact vetus/maxwell. Email Will at vetus ...wvrooman@vetus.com

Thanks, I sent him the information and he responded in about an hour with the answer. It's a VWCLP 800. (VWC Low Profile 800). I found a manual at least. He did suggest that I try tightening the clutch before doing anything else. He also said this is an all chain model, which is not what I have on there. I have about 15' of chain and 150' of rode.
Looks like i have another project to work on. Tighten the clutch and run the chain up and down and see how it works. If it works I do have 50' of chain I can use for now. I rarely need more than 30' of line out, so that might just save me some time and money.
I would like to change the chainwheel, it looks really worn, but I doubt there's parts available.

Thanks again for the help.

Thats great! Glad the puzzle is solved

Hats off to Will at Vetus/Maxwell. He has helped me several times and always responds quickly with the right information.
Walter Keith

Hats off to Will at Vetus/Maxwell. He has helped me several times and always responds quickly with the right information.
Walter Keith

Nice to hear some customer service is still alive and well....

I had a similar issue. I have a Maxwell Freedom 800 on my 1997 355. I had the chain/rode combination and switched to all chain-works much better. I did have to replace the tensioner quite a few years back. It’s a small plastic piece that is $15 and easy to replace. It pushes the chain/rode into the chain wheel. Good luck!