Carver Owners Forum

I have a 97 350 Mariner that has a Maxwell Freedom 500 windlass. I am guessing it is original. I need to replace the chain wheel. Anyone have suggestions on where I can find one? I’m fairly certain that is the issue because when I took it off it looks really worn (see pics). The wheel spins but just won’t grab the rope. I bought a new rode and put that on but problem continues. Any thoughts or advise is greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately the windlass is one of those items that is frequently overlooked when it comes to maintenance. The chainwheel should be replaced however you should also service the unit with a shaft kit. I highly suggest you remove the entire unit, disassemble and see what needs servicing. Those Freedom units are first class and I would make every effort to rebuild it as long as parts do not become more than a new unit. Here is a link to parts. https://marinepartssource.com/products- ... pair-parts

I'm pretty sure that if you purchase the individual parts to repair it properly or the complete top works assembly, you're approaching a point where your money is best spent on a new unit. Unless prices have changed, this is what I've found when I looked into it before. Even at half the price of a new unit, you'll still end up with some parts of the system that are over 20 years old for which you may have to replace in the near future. Look into an RC 8 or RC10, compare the pricing to the cost of all the parts for a proper repair and decide what makes sense for you. This means inspecting all the components of the upper assembly (assembly above deck and shaft connecting to the motor), and the gear at the motor which usually fails due to lack of maintenance.

Have you changed the Pressure Arm?
Chances are that is all it may need. I keep 2 spares on my boat.
I seem to have a bad habit of hooking a tree or something and when retrieving the anchor all of a sudden the world stops and it strips out the Pressure Arm. Has become a 10 minute job from start to finish.

Assuming the pressure arm is the white plastic piece inside the upper housing? Where can I get a couple of those? The chain wheel looks pretty worn out. I will try the pressure arm as well and see if that solves the problem. Thanks everyone for the information.

Mike11 wrote:Source of the post Assuming the pressure arm is the white plastic piece inside the upper housing? Where can I get a couple of those? The chain wheel looks pretty worn out. I will try the pressure arm as well and see if that solves the problem. Thanks everyone for the information.

Second page of the link I posted.

Rocketman wrote:Source of the post Have you changed the Pressure Arm?
Chances are that is all it may need. I keep 2 spares on my boat.
I seem to have a bad habit of hooking a tree or something and when retrieving the anchor all of a sudden the world stops and it strips out the Pressure Arm. Has become a 10 minute job from start to finish.

+1

So we also have a Maxwell Freedom 500 Windlass that is original to our 1995 Carver 355 Aft cabin and the pressure arm was missing when we bought the boat. The previous owners had a white plastic pressure arm to replace it but we cant figure out how it goes on. Would anyone have pictures of what its suppose to look like installed?

Welcome aboard. This link will download the manual. It has parts diagrams and pictures with instructions on how to replace the arm.
http://www.maxwellmarine.com/downloader.php?i=323