TUTORIAL: How to lubricate a windlass on a boat?

Deck equipment, Windlasses, Electric windlasses, Manual windlasses, Mooring

The windlass is one of the essential equipment of a boat. It is used to cast or raise the anchor more easily. It also makes it possible to tack the hawsers and therefore facilitates navigation. However, it is essential to carry out a regular windlass maintenance in order to avoid unpleasant surprises. In particular, you need to clean the mechanical system, the sprocket and the clutch at a certain frequency. Otherwise, you might face problems such as windlass stuck or blocked. The maintenance of the windlass also consists of greasing it after cleaning. Corn how to grease a windlass ? Read this article for explanations. These instructions are valid for all types of windlasses, whether you have a Lewmar windlass, a Lofrans, Quick, Plastimo, Maxwell or even a Italwinch windlass.

Contents of the page

The list of equipment to have to lubricate a windlass

A little reminder about windlasses

The windlass is a winch making it possible to multiply the force exerted on the traction of the chain in order to throw or raise the anchor. THEuse of a windlass therefore makes it possible to perform maneuvers with greater safety, ease and reliability. Positioned on the forecastle of a sailboat, a windlass can be electric (equipped with a geared motor) or manual. There are also hydraulic and steam windlasses on the market.

Electric windlasses provide more comfort but can only be installed on boats equipped with a battery and an electric recharging system. They are very practical especially if you are alone on board. A manual windlass, on the other hand, has the advantage of being lighter and cheaper. But he's going to move up the chain much more slowly. To determine what type of windlass to use on your boat, check if the latter has a battery and an electric charging system.

What are the essential tools for lubricating a windlass?

To perform maintenance, you will need to do the dismantling the windlass. This operation is necessary if you are facing a windlass problem. In general, this is a windlass that turns in the void or that no longer works. It will therefore be necessary to remove it to reach the gears. To disassemble a windlass, clean it and grease it, you will need:

a suitable anti-seize product such as WD40
a suitable degreasing product

a suitable marine grease
a hexagonal wrench
a pipe wrench

a screwdriver
a hammer (possibly)
one or two rags

a non-scratch Spontex sponge

Due to their exposure, some structures of the windlass will corrode. The use of an anti-seize agent will therefore make it possible to loosen the parts which seem difficult to remove. In addition, the operation of dismantling, cleaning and lubricating a windlass does not take more than 30 minutes in normal times.

How to lubricate a windlass?

The following procedure shows you how to lubricate a windlass after removing it. But first, here are the main mechanical parts of a windlass; whether electric or manual: pin, tailstock, sliding disc, sprocket, friction disc, bearing and ratchet. Those windlass spare parts will be successively filed by following the steps below.

At the top or to the right of the windlass (depending on whether you have a horizontal axis windlass or a vertical windlass), remove the pin also called a pin.
Then unscrew the tailstock or the clutch nut. For this you will need to swing the pawl forward in order to lock the gypsy. Also, push the ball lever into a hole in the doll, if necessary, to make your job easier. If necessary, use anti-seize compound to facilitate removal.
You then access the sliding disc or friction washer (usually plastic). You will then just have to remove it since it is not screwed.

You must now remove the gypsy of his pad. If you haven't removed the chain yet, do so. To remove the first half of the gypsy, it will be necessary to unscrew a few bolts (usually 4). Use the hexagon wrench for this.
To remove the second part of the gypsy, you must go to the back of it to unscrew the metal part responsible for retaining it. A pipe wrench should suffice for this. Then, the sprocket is easily removed.
Using your cloth and the sponge, clean the polluted grease and remove the dirt.

Then degrease with the degreaser suitable for the boat.
Use marine grease to lubricate the different faces of the bearing, the sliding disc and the gears.
After reassembling the windlass, pass some grease around the work axis but also on the gypsy tightening screws.

NB Be careful not to get grease on the brake lining.

Some tips for maintaining and cleaning a windlass

It is recommended to perform thewindlass maintenance at the time of disarmament but also to plan maintenance cycles once every two months during navigation time.

In addition, the windlass housing is filled with special oil. At least once every two years, you must therefore remove the windlass from its base in order to check the level of this oil. It is recommended to change it at this time. It is extremely important to use only SAE 80W-90 oil.

We also recommend that you operate the brinqueballle lever frequently during the rainy season. This will lubricate the entire mechanism.

There you are, you know everything about how to grease a windlass!

What to do if I notice worn parts when lubricating my windlass

You may notice areas of wear on some parts of your windlass during degreasing. Above all, do not hesitate to replace them.

You will find many spare parts on Amazon, Ebay et Ticketmaster:

See spare parts for Lofrans X3 and PROJECT 1500 windlass

Finally, do not forget to check the level of wear of the sprocket. It can also easily be replaced by searching the internet:

Sprocket for LOFRANS X1 windlass

Learn more about boat windlasses:

How to repair a broken electric windlass?

How to fix a hot windlass on a boat?

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