Manual Anchor Windlass

[charliehows]

I have a manual muir 500kg windlass; 12mm chain, quite heavy CQR anchor; simple rules; up to 8metre depth is ok, beyond that, theres going to be a lot of work involved getting all the weight of chain back aboard. I keep a second anchor on 10ft of chain and then rope for deeper anchoring. When i got the boat 10 years ago the windlass was stiffer than i liked so i pulled it off, opened it and cleaned, oiled and resealed it. I concluded from the coarseness of the gears that the windlass would probably last forever.

[sanibel sailor]

Oregon company is C Plath (not Weems and Plath)
Their windlass was a copy of an older design from a engineering company that went out of business. Then pirated/bootlegged by ABI.

[Pendragon35]

I have a windlass that is the C Plath one . Anyone know where I could find a handle for it? that went overboard.

[sanibel sailor]

1" SS tube flattened at one end with a bike handgrip at other. Flat SS bar works ok as well.

[Mike OReilly]

I’ve got an Plath bronze as well. I’ve had to rebuild our handle a couple of times after metal fatigue broke the bottom — perhaps I crank too hard .

My first one was a solid 1/4” ss bar. This lasted for many years. Then I used a flattened tube for a number of years.

I’ve now gone to using smaller bolt-on bottom inserts that can be swapped out if/when they fatigue through.

[Pelorus]

I have one of those. How on earth did you get it so shiny. Beautiful

[deluxe68]

Originally Posted by charliehows

I have a manual muir 500kg windlass; 12mm chain, quite heavy CQR anchor; simple rules; up to 8metre depth is ok, beyond that, theres going to be a lot of work involved getting all the weight of chain back aboard. I keep a second anchor on 10ft of chain and then rope for deeper anchoring. When i got the boat 10 years ago the windlass was stiffer than i liked so i pulled it off, opened it and cleaned, oiled and resealed it. I concluded from the coarseness of the gears that the windlass would probably last forever.

Have you ever used a battery operated device such as a drill or electric winch handle to crank that windlass?

[Benz]

I have a Lofrans Royal manual windlass for use with 5/16" chain. Anchored thousands of times, it's still going strong with absolutely no maintenance 10+ years later. It's a good bit of kit.

[Mongo_at_sea]

I bought a boat with a Lofrans Royal which had been removed and put in storage. I took it apart and put it back together, prepped and painted it. Not impressed with the plastic bearing sleeves at key load areas. (they had been chewed up by previous owners.) The only way to really lubricate the guts is to take it mostly apart. Lubrication ports at the exterior bearing areas can not really handle grease, which is what is recommended. Never remove top bolt to add lubricant, that holds a big bearing wheel in place. Still considering if I want to bother putting it back on. I would not pay a lot for one of these. I will probably test it in the backyard first. Maybe other manual windlasses are built similarly, I hope not.

[Kim Gregory]

I don't know the original manufacturer of this manual windlass, but it is currently sold by Italwich (https://www.osculati.com/en/11018-m-...anual-windlass).

My 40 year old bronze capstan is badly worn, causing the chain to slip, and a replacement is unavailable. I drilled and tapped the capstan to add 5/16 cap screws to fix the slipping chain.

Does anyone else have this windlass, or similar design of capstan?

[Seascape8]

I have bought a lofrans royal windlass for my 30’ Catalina and looking for ideas on the install. Mounting and positioning. Pictures would be nice. Thanks

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Seascape8

I have bought a lofrans royal windlass for my 30’ Catalina and looking for ideas on the install. Mounting and positioning. Pictures would be nice. Thanks

Seascape, I'd suggest starting your own thread on this subject. As an add-on to a 13 year old thread it may be missed by many CFers.

Jim

[Cully]

Originally Posted by scallywag

I am looking for a monual windlass. defjef, what do you mean that it was too much work? Do you still have it?
John

Likely you have solved your problem, but if not, I have a Goiot 308 Manual that works fine. It needs servicing on the drop side every couple years, but is otherwise great. Would let it go for a very reasonable price to see it getting used by a good skipper.

Stephen

[tupawk]

Cully I am sending you a PM about the Goiot 308. My original just died this weekend and am in need of a new windlass.

Originally Posted by Cully

Likely you have solved your problem, but if not, I have a Goiot 308 Manual that works fine. It needs servicing on the drop side every couple years, but is otherwise great. Would let it go for a very reasonable price to see it getting used by a good skipper.

Stephen