TUTORIAL: How to clean a windlass on a boat?
The windlass is a winch that allows you to raise and drop the anchor without great effort. To maintain a good windlass operation, you absolutely must clean it at a certain frequency. Otherwise, you will have windlass problems, often in the middle of the mooring. It is not uncommon to find oneself, for example, in front of a windlass stuck or blocked. To avoid this kind of disappointment, you must periodically disassemble and maintain your windlass. This is also the opportunity to drain the windlass. How to clean a windlass ?
This article gives you all the details on the subject. But first, we present to you the various tools and products essential to disassemble and take care of your boat's windlass.
The list of equipment to have to clean and maintain a windlass
To enjoy for a long time the use of a windlass, it is essential to take care of it. Both a manual windlass and an electric windlass are made up of several mechanical parts. These windlass parts work together with grease, which can wear out over time. This is why you should frequently perform the dismantling a windlass in order to maintain it. THE'windlass maintenance is a fairly straightforward operation. It does not require special expertise and only requires the use of a few instruments and consumables including:
- an Allen key
- a small hammer
- a screwdriver
- a brush
- a sponge
- a funnel
- one or more rags
- fresh water
- du special boat degreaser
- un anti-seize like WD 40 for example
- a suitable marine grease
- de special oil for draining.
To clean a windlass, you should allow between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the condition of the device. Indeed, it can happen that windlass spare parts are more or less worn. Their removal then becomes more difficult and the operation will then take longer.
How to maintain and clean a windlass?
For clean a windlass, it must first be disassembled. That your sailing ship Embeds a horizontal axis windlass or a vertical electric windlass, the operation is almost identical. Remember that an electric windlass is equipped with a windlass motor which is positioned either on the deck or in the anchor locker. An electric windlass will then work in coordination with a windlass holder via a 6mm, 8mm or larger windlass chain. The latter is part of mooring equipment also including the anchor which can be a Delta anchor, Kobra, CQR, etc…
Dismantling a windlass before cleaning it
Before disassembling, you must know the sequence of the main spare parts of a windlass. From the outside to the inside, you have successively: the pin or pin - the tailstock - the washer or sliding disc and the gypsy. Disassembly will simply consist of removing these different parts one after the other. This must be done after having loosened the windlass by unscrewing the nuts located in the front lockers. If it is an electric windlass, the electrical wiring must first be disconnected.
For more details on these steps, you can refer to our tutorial: How to dismantle a windlass on a boat?
Complete maintenance program (cleaning and emptying) of the windlass
The following instructions show you how to grease and how clean a windlass.
- To remove the salt, use fresh water on the external parts as well as the internal parts of your guide.
- After having disassembled the windlass, clean the dirt and remove the old grease using the special boat degreaser and your brush.
- Then lubricate using a suitable marine grease. Grease the headstock, the gypsy as well as the main shaft of the windlass. Apply grease to the clutch cones as well. All external rotating parts must be greased. You have been warned! : The grease must not overflow on the brake friction flanges.
- After cleaning and lubricating the parts, you must check the oil level. To do this, take a look at the front of your windlass. a boat. If the oil level is lower than the diameter of the inspection glass, you must top up the oil. Remove the filler cap and place a funnel. Then complete very slowly. It is very important to use only SAE 80W-90 oil for your windlass.
- NB : If you notice that the oil is too worn out, drain the windlass. You can do this by reversing the device to eject the oil. Then you fill the tank with brand new oil. It is recommended to change the oil every two years.
Our advice for windlass maintenance
When cleaning your guide, you should take the opportunity to check the condition and proper functioning of the various components of your windlass. Among other checks that you must do during the interview:
1- check the voltage on the terminals of the windlass motor and pushers;
2- take a look at the motor brushes and pass compressed air to remove any dust;
3- check the condition of the sealing o-ring and replace it if it is too crushed.
If you notice that some of the mechanical parts are worn out and this is causing your windlass to malfunction, then you should plan to purchase a replacement part. There are maintenance kits suitable for certain models such as:
- Maintenance kits for FALKON LOFRANS windlasses
- Maintenance kits for TIGRES LOFRANS windlasses
- the maintenance kits for ROYAL LOFRANS windlasses
If you cannot find a kit for your windlass model, you can find the spare parts at Amazon, Ebay et Ticketmaster :
- VSee the spare parts for Lewmar V3 and V2 windlass (Manual lifting kit)
- See the spare parts for Lewmar V3 and V2 windlass (Control arm kit)
- See spare parts for Lofrans Tigres windlass
- See spare parts for Lofrans Tigres windlass (Spare gasket)
- See spare parts for Lofrans X2 windlass
- See spare parts for Lofrans X3 and PROJECT 1500 windlass
You can change your sprocket in the same way if it is too damaged:
- Sprocket for LOFRANS X1 windlass
- Sprocket for LOFRANS X2 and PROJECT 1000 windlass
- Sprocket for LOFRANS X3 and PROJECT 1500 windlass
- Sprocket for LOFRANS KOBRA / CAYMAN / TIGRES / ROYAL windlass
- Sprocket for LEWMAR CPX2 / 3 windlass
- Sprocket for LEWMAR V700 windlass
- Sprocket for LEWMAR Pro-Series Windlass
In the worst case, if the windlass is too damaged, you will need to replace it. You have the choice between a Italwinch windlass, a Lofrans windlass, a Lewmar windlass , a Maxwell windlass and other reliable brands. To help you choose, we've written a guide that reviews the top windlass brands: What is the best brand of windlass?
Regarding the characteristics of the windlass, we recommend choosing the same parameters as the old model (diameter of the gypsy, windlass power, vertical or horizontal axis, etc.). If you are not sure which settings to choose, you can check out our article: What type of windlass should I choose for my boat?
Recommended maintenance and cleaning cycle for a windlass
It is advisable to clean a windlass before wintering but also every 6 months.
