maxwell windlass anchor

[michelml54]

on my 325 motor yacht 1998, i feel like it is not strong enough to pull the boat on calm water to retrieve the anchor . I always have to reset the switch to the panel because it stops .
do you have the same problems on the same boat ? and what was your solution ?

[After Taxes]

Hi,

When you say it feels like it's not strong enough to pull the boat, that concerns me. Forgive me if you already know this, but a windlass is designed only to lift an anchor up from the bottom, and it is not designed to pull a boat.

When retrieving an anchor with a windlass, one should position the bow as close as possible - directly over the anchor - and then retract the rode. Use the engine(s) to move the boat forward or aft, or into the appropriate position, over the anchor. Never use the windlass to pull the boat over top of the anchor.

According to many windlass manufacturers, the surest way to burn out a windlass, is to use the windlass to pull a boat ahead. Using the windlass in that way puts excessive stress on it - above its design limits. And I offer my personal experience in this matter, as I once replaced a windlass, which became damaged by my own inexperienced hand! But I sure know now.

very best regards,

Steve

[Tommyfmu]

on my 325 motor yacht 1998, i feel like it is not strong enough to pull the boat on calm water to retrieve the anchor . I always have to reset the switch to the panel because it stops .
do you have the same problems on the same boat ? and what was your solution ?

+1 . Drive your boat towards the anchor with short bursts from neutral into gear, and back to neutral. Try not to create too much slack by going too forward, as you're likely to get kinks in rope if that's what you've got. Also if your anchor comes up with all kinds of muck, I usually drive a little with the anchor just below the surface so the water flow gets all the muck off. Usually takes only a few seconds.

[Lyndon670]

You never ever pull your boat with your windlass. If you have a rope windlass, I would almost guarantee you the gypsy and gears will all be plastic, and I would be willing to bet that if this is your normal practice - better start looking for a new windlass. As both Steve and the last poster stated - move your boats to verticle over the rode and start pulling it up then. Have a bow watch using their arms to point to the direction of the rode and angle the boat in that direction. Lots of neutral with gentle burst of gear until you are over the rode.

[michelml54]

thanks for the advises to all of you. My concerrns are more to understand for example if I drop my anchor in a place where there is a lot of muds or algies at the bottom of the lake, where there is only 5 feet of water and my anchor his tough to get out, i usually have to use my hands to pull it out because the motor is not powerfull enough . Is it normal according to your experience ?

[Lyndon670]

I think you are misunderstanding the post(s). Your windlass is not designed to "pull" your anchor out of the mud. It is only designed to retrieve it from the water and return it to its place on your bow. If you are saying that when your anchor is "sitting" on the seabed that your windlass cannot raise it - then yes, time for a new windlass.

Try to old the chain/rope in your hand and pull the opposite direction of the windlass while someone retrieves the rode. There shoud be no way you can hold the rode while the more reels it in.

[After Taxes]

I have a suspicion that your windlass clutch needs adjusting. Since you say it's not powerful enough to raise an anchor from mud, I wonder if the windlass clutch is just slipping, and that is what you are experiencing? Is it possible that you are misinterpreting a slipping clutch, as opposed to a windlass being not powerful?

One of my friends experienced this, and complained for months that his windlass was not performing well. I simply tightened his clutch nut, and it worked perfect. I hinted to him for months that he should read the user manual, but he wasn't into reading manuals.

look at this Maxwell website, identify your windlass, and review the appropriate owner's manual.

http://www.maxwellmarine.com/support_manuals.php

Basically, you use the manual windlass handle as a wrench and often, it only takes a quarter or half turn to tighten the clutch.

[michelml54]

Source of the post thanks for the advises to all of you. My concerrns are more to understand for example if I drop my anchor in a place where there is a lot of muds or algies at the bottom of the lake, where there is only 5 feet of water and my anchor his tough to get out, i usually have to use my hands to pull it out because the motor is not powerfull enough . Is it normal according to your experience ?

FINALLY I SOLVED MY PROBLEM , THRE WAS NO OIL IN THE WINDLASS. SINCE I FILLED IT , NOW IT WORKS PERFECTLY