Anchor Windlass
Lewmar, Maxwell
A windlass that will not drop or will not retrieve leaves you handling ground tackle by hand at exactly the wrong moment. Most windlass failures are electrical rather than mechanical, and most are preventable.
Precision Marine services Lewmar and Maxwell anchor windlasses across Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area, mobile and dockside.
Common anchor windlass problems
Nothing happens when the switch is pressed. Usually the control circuit rather than the motor. A failed solenoid, a corroded foot switch, a tripped breaker, or a bad connection at the motor.
It works in one direction only. A classic solenoid failure. Windlasses use separate circuits for up and down, and one side failing while the other works points straight at the control side.
The motor runs but the drum does not turn. A slipping clutch, worn gears, or a failed key or drive component between motor and gypsy.
Chain skips or jumps on the gypsy. A worn gypsy, or a gypsy that does not match the chain. Chain and gypsy have to match exactly by size and standard.
It runs slowly or struggles under load. Voltage drop from undersized or corroded cabling, a weak battery, or a motor nearing the end of its life.
Water intrusion. Deck-mounted windlasses live in spray and weather. Failed seals let water into the motor and gearbox, which ends the unit.
What service covers
Lewmar and Maxwell windlass diagnosis and service. Solenoid and control circuit testing and replacement. Foot switches, remotes, and helm controls. Motor testing, service, and replacement. Clutch adjustment and gearbox service. Gypsy inspection and chain compatibility. Cabling, voltage drop, and connection faults. Sealing and lubrication to keep water out.
Why windlasses fail
A windlass draws very high current for short bursts, and it does it on a deck that is regularly wet. That combination is hard on solenoids, connections, and seals, which is why the electrical side fails far more often than the mechanical side.
The other common issue is neglect between uses. A windlass that sits unused for a season, exposed to weather, with nobody checking the seals or lubricating the clutch, is a windlass that fails the first time it is really needed.
FAQ
My windlass goes up but not down. What is wrong?
Almost always a solenoid. Up and down run through separate circuits, and one working while the other does not points at the control side rather than the motor.
Why does my anchor chain jump on the gypsy?
Either the gypsy is worn or the chain does not match it. Chain and gypsy must match by size and standard, and a mismatch will never feed reliably.
The windlass motor hums but nothing moves. What does that mean?
The motor is getting power but not driving the drum. Usually a slipping clutch or a failure in the gearbox or drive components.
Why is my windlass slow?
Often voltage drop. Windlasses draw heavy current and are usually mounted far from the batteries, so undersized or corroded cabling and weak batteries both show up as a slow windlass.
Do you service windlasses at the slip?
Yes. Precision Marine works mobile and dockside across Chicago and Chicagoland.