Simpson/Lawrence windlass problem

A

Anita Marie

New member
I was anchoring on Friday and when I tried to set the anchor the windlass would start paying out line. It still pays out and retrieves just fine. I had to tie off to the cleat and then set the anchor. I know that this is the way I should be doing it. I checked the tension setting and it is tight does anyone have any idea what is up. This is a new Simpson/Lawrence Sprint 400. Does it have a solenoid locking pin or something like that.

Fred
 
Was the gypsy rotating or was the line sliding over the gypsy? I had to add an extra roller on the bow to get the line to hook up tight on the gypsy, rascal wouldn't hook up and retrieve the anchor sometimes, works like a charm now. I stuck the roller right in front of the windlass, the line runs underneath the roller and contacts more of the circumference of the winchy, windy thing
 
Fred- Sounds like your clutch is slipping. Most of these windlasses are similarly built, with a conical clutch between the gypsy and the vertical drive shaft. A star-like depressed wrench opening in the top of the windlass receives a handle that acts to tighten the clutch when turned one way, and serve as a free-fall disengage mechanism when turned the other. Did your Spring 400 come with such a handle? Does the owner's manual include a section on adjusting the clutch?

If the problem persists, the Simpson-Lawrence distributor in the U.S. has a very helpful tech representative on line. Look up their website and contact them. I personally think it's better to talk over the phone (vs email) to save time, since the question-answer problem solving format works faster in that medium.

I had somewhat the same problem with my Quick Aires 500 in that the anchor would bounce around on both on the road or when in chop, and start to pay out a little and droop and begin to bang up and down and then have to be tightened up with the motor. A reasonably hard crank with the handle tightened up the clutch and eliminated the slipping. There's probably an appropriate limit to the amount of tightness, however, in order to protect the motor. See what the manual and/or the tech suppport says about this.

Hope this gets you on the right track. Joe
 
The gypsy is spinning. The tech manual is somewhat vague and I found nothing about tightening the clutch. It has a allen wrench adjustment and I tried tightening it but it seemed to be already tight. I will try to find the tech support number and give them a call. Thanks for the help.
 
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