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Old 07-09-2018, 11:23   #16
MJH
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

I think you are putting the cart before the horse. Buy the Maxwell 3500, take it home and install it. Next, remove the gypsy and dry test the gypsy against the chain you have to see if it fits properly. If not, take the gypsy and go out and buy the proper chain for the new windlass. Sell the old chain that is still in good condition. You'll sleep better knowing you have the proper windlass with new proper chain installed and selling the old chain will reduce your overall cost.

When I installed my new Maxwell I did exactly that and have never been sorry.

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Old 07-09-2018, 13:26   #17
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

Hello Redhead,


Your Maxwell 3500 is available in two vertical configurations (VW and VWC) and one horizontal configuration HWC, each with a range of gypsies. The recommended chain will depend on the shape (windage) and weight of your boat. The chain must be an exact fit on the gypsy. If it's close but not right, the chain will bounce, slip and over time, break the pocket shoulders on the gypsy.
May I suggest that you contact Maxwell windlass guru Will Vrooman who is based in California (wvrooman@vetus.com) - he will help you get everything properly matched up and working well.


All the best
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Old 07-09-2018, 14:09   #18
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

FWIW, I went from 3/8” BBB to 3/8” HT. Ordered the new Lofrans gypsie. It didn’t have a stamp but a tag with the correct part number. Would NOT fit the chain. I sent it back and got another gypsie, this time it had the correct stamping and it worked.

I seem to recall someone else got a gypsie with the wrong stamping number.
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Old 07-09-2018, 16:09   #19
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fnq grumpy View Post
Getting old and more forgetful.
Genuine Maxwell gypsy has a number stamped on inner face which is useful to send to Maxwell as they can tell you measurements of correct chain for the gypsy you have.
Generally haven't found dealers and chain suppliers much help. Emphasis is generally on selling what they stock at best margin, not ordering something in specially.

The page I linked to above has a link to a spreadsheet which gives you the various gypsies and the chains they fit.
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Old 07-09-2018, 23:06   #20
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

Well as Stu and Jim and perhaps others have pointed out more critical than the diameter of the wire making the chain is the pitch which some specs referred to as links per foot.

My boat came with two types of chain 3/8 3B and 5/16 G4 . Both fit and work perfectly in my gypsy and both have almost identical links per foot.
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Old 09-09-2018, 12:54   #21
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

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Originally Posted by fnq grumpy View Post
. The gypsy is brass
I hope not
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Old 14-09-2018, 06:57   #22
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

Chains are normally stamped. A bit of wire brush might needed. They are stamped either BBB, HT 4G and such. But the stamping should be there.
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Old 14-09-2018, 07:12   #23
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

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Originally Posted by Nicholson58 View Post
Chain is exact fit. Send a sample to guarantee the wildcat and chain match perfectly. Make sure you get the sample back. You need it to match chain or wildcat replacement in the future. In the Caribbean, chandleries often stock several wildcats and offer many chains. Sample in hand is the only way.

FYI we have a 58 foot Camper and Nicholson that weighs in at 40 tons. Our chain is 7/16 G4 and the anchor is a 121# ROCNA. The swivel is a small commercial anchor forerunner from Washington or Houston chain suppliers. The windlass is a Maxwell horizontal 3500. That is the smallest I would consider. We have stalled it on occasion.
One of the best buys I have ever made, concerning anchors, rode and windlasses is the book "The Complete Anchoring Handbook", available at Amazon Books. You will learn something that may revamp your entire approach to anchoring. And, will probably save you a great deal of money.
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Old 14-09-2018, 09:29   #24
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

I bought a new Lofrans Tigres windlass from Fisheries in Seattle last year (not yet installed). I needed a 5/16" HT gypsy which is what I specified. They shipped me the windlass. The box was marked for 5/16 HT. I took it out to inspect and found the gypsy was marked 3/8 BBB. The vendor said that (for some unknown reason) that the boxes were sometimes mismarked.


It took 4 weeks a huge hassle to get it replaced by Imtra (great people as noted). However they made me buy the new one before they would ship it ($450 IIRC) and then I had to send the one I had in for them to give me a credit for the money I paid. It was easy to take the old off and put the new one on but it was still a hassle. I am glad I was not in a hurry.



Apologies to the OP as this is somewhat off topic. But it shows one more way the size can get screwed up.
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Old 14-09-2018, 09:31   #25
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

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Originally Posted by redhead View Post
Stu and Jim,

You both refer to "pitch". What's that?
Come on! You must be willing to at least do your own due diligence.
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Old 14-09-2018, 13:21   #26
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

Personally, if I were you I'd look at a Lofrans Tigress, 1500W should be able to lift your anchor, get a length of chain to see if it will fit the gypsy, and with the Lofrans you'd also get a capstan, which I would think would be a great addition to your bow.

Good luck.
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Old 14-09-2018, 15:20   #27
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Re: Chain/Windlass problem- You Won't Believe This One.

https://www.1st-chainsupply.com/aboutgrading.htm
This site will tell you everything you need to know about chains.
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