TUTORIAL: how to dismantle a windlass on a boat?
The windlass is a winch that is used to facilitate mooring maneuvers. This is a device which makes it possible to multiply the traction force in order to raise or reject the anchor more easily. There are manual windlasses and electric windlasses. The choice is made according to whether the boat is equipped with an engine and electrical installations or not. Like any mechanism, it can happen that a windlass does not work correctly. We may be facing a windlass stuck or blocked. Depending on the seriousness of the problem, it may then become essential to dismantle it. This article explains how to disassemble a windlass.
Contents of the page
The list of equipment to have to dismantle a windlass
The windlass is positioned at the forecastle of a boat. Below, the chain locker is used to contain the chains. Windlasses are available in different models. We mainly distinguish between electric windlasses and manual guides.
In addition, some windlasses have a working axis that is horizontal: we then speak of horizontal windlass. Other windlasses carry a vertical working axis: we are talking about vertical windlass. The two categories diverge by structural and functional differences.
A windlass installation consists of several parts: a recess for the release crank, a chain guide finger, a tailstock, a sprocket, a nut, a hawse shaft, a base, a gearbox and a motor (if applicable). 'is an electric windlass). a windlass davit also protects the bow of the anchor chain.
Disassembling a windlass is usually not complicated. However, you will need the appropriate tools to do so. Whether it is a manual or electric windlass, or a vertical or horizontal windlass, you must plan:
- a screwdriver
- an Allen key
- a pipe wrench
- a small hammer
- du WD40
The WD40 may be useful for removing some screws that have suffered corrosion, for example. the dismantling a windlass is an operation that can take between 10 and 20 minutes depending on the condition of the device.
How to disassemble a windlass for maintenance or replacement?
When you have a windlass that is no longer functioning properly or is completely stuck, it becomes necessary to take it apart. Despite some structural differences, we find the same parts in the winch of all windlasses. Among the loose parts of the windlass are the pin or pin, the tailstock, the slip disc, the sprocket, the friction disc, a pad and a ratchet. The windlass will only be removed from these different components.
The different steps below summarize how to dismantle a windlass:
- Start by removing the pin or pin.
- Then unscrew the doll. To do this, try to hold the pawl forward to lock the gypsy. If it gets stuck, push the lever a little harder. Everything should be fine then.
- This brings you to the sliding disc, which you also need to remove.
- It is now necessary to remove the sprocket. But first, remove the chain. You need to unscrew about 4 bolts (the number may vary depending on the windlass model) to remove the first part of the gypsy.
- After unscrewing, the upper part of the gypsy turns easily. You can therefore remove it gently.
- Attack the second part of the sprocket. This is held down by a piece that you must unscrew first. Then the sprocket comes out easily.
- If necessary, detach the friction disc and the pad.
NB : It is generally not necessary to disassemble the friction disc and the bearing to perform the windlass repair on a boat.
If you do not know how to disassemble a windlass Lewmar, Lofrans, Quick, Plastimo, Italwinch, Maxwell or any other electric or manual windlass brand, the procedure is more or less the same for dismantling. You can do this to service your vertical or horizontal windlass in the event of a problem.
The problems usually encountered during the dismantling of a windlass and the solutions to avoid them
The windlass is a device that can be used for several years on a sailboat. It is exposed to several hazards including spray for example. The different windlass spare parts may then undergo some corrosion. Subsequently, it becomes difficult to disassemble some parts.
In particular, the gypsy and the doll are sometimes difficult to unscrew. You can therefore use a degreaser such as WD40 to facilitate removal.
Also remember that the lower part of the sprocket does not come off as easily as the upper part. This is due to the fact that it is held underneath by a metal part which is fixed to it. You must therefore unscrew this part before continuing the operation.
What to do after dismantling a windlass?
If the windlass has been disassembled for maintenance
Maintaining a windlass is pretty straightforward. You need to grease it from time to time, check the oil level and change it if necessary. Please use only SAE 80W-90 oil for your windlass. As for lubrication, use marine grease for the gears.
If it is an electric windlass, you will also need to regularly check the electrical connections and ensure that they are watertight.
In all cases, an annual review of the device must be programmed and executed by an approved service.
Finally, we recommend that you always have a maintenance kit for your windlass on board. All you have to do is choose the kit corresponding to your model:
- See the Maintenance Kits for FALKON LOFRANS Windlasses
- See the Maintenance kits for TIGRES LOFRANS windlasses
- See the Maintenance Kits for ROYAL LOFRANS Windlasses
If the windlass needs new spare parts
Once the windlass disassembled, check the level of wear of the sprocket and the links on the mooring chain, and repair if necessary. If the damage is too great, you must change the sprocket or replace the damaged chain links.
To change a sprocket, you can easily find a spare part online:
- 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
To change an excessively worn chain link, there are riveted chain links. It is advisable to always have a few on board (of the diameter corresponding to your chain) as well as a rivet pliers and rivets.
- See a good rivet pliers and these rivets
- See rivet links for ø 6 mm anchor chain
- See rivet links for ø 8 mm anchor chain
- See rivet links for ø 10 mm anchor chain
- See rivet links for ø 12 mm anchor chain
We advise you to use the riveted links above because they have breaking loads equivalent to or even greater than that of the original links. In addition, their dimensions in mm correspond exactly to those of anchor chains. Thus, you are sure to have a quality link that will not get caught on your gypsy.
If other parts are damaged, you can buy them as spare parts on the internet or keep some on board to be able to repair your windlass even during long trips:
- 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 will find many other parts on Amazon, Ebay et Ticketmaster!
If the windlass has been disassembled for replacement
There are many windlasses, each with their own specificity. You can choose a vertical or horizontal windlass, a windlass with or without a tailstock, a 12V or 24V windlass… We recommend choosing a windlass with the same parameters as the old model in terms of gypsy diameter and windlass power. 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?
Once you know which windlass is right for your craft, all you have to do is choose the brand based on design, budget and your preferences. We've written a guide that reviews the main windlass brands: What is the best brand of windlass?
