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steve.garlick · 24-04-2013, 17:09

Hi all,

Our old Lewmar 1000 vertical windlass has driven my wife past the breaking point. (She is queen anchor boss!). Harmony on the boat demands that I replace the windlass. One main issue is that the flat dog clutch often jams, or does not grip at all.

We are looking for a replacement windlass that will not require too much deck surgery. I'd appreciate some brand recommendations. We run 90m of 10mm chain (around 200kg) plus a 30kg CQR. I figure we need a max pull greater than 700kg. I'd like to go to at least 1000. The boat is a Bowman 40, around 12.5 tonnes.

Any feedback on Maxwell 1500 units? Any other preferences?

We also recently re-galvanized our chain, which seems to make it jam in the spurling pipe more often. Anyone else have this experience? How do you determine if your chain is calibrated chain?

Thanks,

Steve

**s/v Jedi** · 24-04-2013, 17:33

Maxwell VXR but if you're not all chain rode, check if it can handle rope on it's chain wheel (mine doesn't but I have a bigger one).

steve.garlick · 24-04-2013, 17:36

I'm all chain, is the VXR equivalent to the VWC for all chain?

**Jim Cate** · 24-04-2013, 18:22

G'Day Steve,

Insatiable II came to us with a Maxwell VWC1200 which worked just fine for a few years, handling 80M of 10mm short link and a 60 lb Manson (and others). It died suddenly due to internal corrosion of the aluminium spacer between the gearbox and the main casting. There was no seal on the vertical shaft, the tiny drain hole in the spacer clogged and the galvanic couple between the s/s shaft and the alloy spacer did it in when salt water inevitably accumulated in the housing.

I replaced it with a 1500 which somehow manages to be rated 300 lbs greater pull but uses the same motor and gearbox... marketing magic, I guess. There are some design changes: a somewhat ineffectual seal on the main shaft, a different coupling between gearbox and main casting, a slightly better manual over ride and apparently a slight change in the throat of the spurling pipe. This latter means that the chain jams more easily, and it has been an issue, especially after re-galvanizing the chain. Also the chain stripper is too flimsy, and when the chain jams it often gets bent. After some 7 years of usage (and we live at anchor and move frequently) the bronze worm wheel and stainless worm gear failed. This may well have been caused by the frequent jamming of the chain which puts sudden shock loads on those gears. Finally, IMO the clutches are a bit too small in diameter. This means that you have to really tighten it up to avoid slipping. Other brands I've examined have clutches twice the diameter and they seem to hold with minimal tightening.

So, a mixed review: the windlass is smooth and easily powerful enough to handle our ground tackle, but the jamming is a drawback, both in terms of operation and longevity. The clutch design is poor. The motors seem to be well made and have not given any trouble at all. Speed of retrieval is very good. In Australia the Maxwell line has been bought by Vetus, and at that time the interface with them re parts and service deteriorated markedly. This is a pity, for they were very easy to deal with before.

There you have it -- one user's opinion after a lot of usage.

Cheers,

Jim

Charlie · 24-04-2013, 18:30

I have a Nilsson windlass. I think it was this one but am not positive Chain Windlass Model V2200 I have not had any problems with the windlass but do not know how it would fit compared to your Lewmar. I have had it for four years and it hasn't failed me but I don't use it everyday.

**s/v Jedi** · 24-04-2013, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve.garlick

I'm all chain, is the VXR equivalent to the VWC for all chain?

I mean VWC, sorry. I have the 3500 and it's been a dream.

When a 10mm chain has feeding trouble it's because the chain wheel is 3/8" ? I have 3/8" chain and it works very well.

I thought Nillson was part of Maxwell... things have changed may be?

steve.garlick · 24-04-2013, 20:50

Hi Jim,

Thanks for that review. If you could change your 1500, what would you replace it with?

I'm also in the Aegean, which might limit my options!

Steve

Charlie · 24-04-2013, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I mean VWC, sorry. I have the 3500 and it's been a dream.

When a 10mm chain has feeding trouble it's because the chain wheel is 3/8" ? I have 3/8" chain and it works very well.

I thought Nillson was part of Maxwell... things have changed may be?

Maxwell bought nilsson they signed a non compete clause and it is now over.

**s/v Jedi** · 24-04-2013, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve.garlick

I'm also in the Aegean, which might limit my options!

Steve

Lofrans and Quick are in Italy... both are good I think but I have no direct experience. This one looks good if it's the 316L stainless steel version: Lofrans - Vertical Windlass - X2

SVNeko · 24-04-2013, 21:40

Get a Lofrans Tigres. It's an animal (te he). No, really. It is.

**Jim Cate** · 24-04-2013, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I mean VWC, sorry. I have the 3500 and it's been a dream.

When a 10mm chain has feeding trouble it's because the chain wheel is 3/8" ? I have 3/8" chain and it works very well.

I thought Nillson was part of Maxwell... things have changed may be?

Nick, when I bought the windlass I took some chain into the dealer's place (pre-Vetus, when they were very helpful) and he spent a long time trying different wheels. There were quite a few different ones for nominal 10 mm short link. The jamming isn't in the gypsy wheel, but rather as the chain tries to get through the 90 degree bend in the spurling pipe. There is only about two feet of drop to the top of the chain pile, and I suspect that if there was a bit more it would work better. However, the locker meets Maxwell's criteria FWIW.

Still, works most of the time without a problem...

Cheers,

Jim

**Jim Cate** · 24-04-2013, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve.garlick

Hi Jim,

Thanks for that review. If you could change your 1500, what would you replace it with?

I'm also in the Aegean, which might limit my options!

Steve

Dunno, Steve! Since I have both the 1500 (on deck) and the now rebuilt 1200 as a spare, I haven't really researched the market. There is a different series of Maxwells that look better superficially, but I've not had a close look at them.

Good luck with your decision... it is an important bit of kit IMO!

Cheers,

Jim