Help with Simpson Lawrence 555 Windlass with CHAIN, Not Gear !

[Bob D]

I have a Sea Tiger 555 S&L windlass that was apparently disassembled and not correctly assembled by a previous owner. I am having trouble routing all the chains and sprockets - I think there is a part missing or one of the two chains have been shortened.

I can't find any manuals on this - all of them show the 555 model with gears - but this is chain. It looks like about 35 pitch. On the outside it looks exactly like the 555 geared model.

Can anyone out there help me figuring out how the guts of this thing should work?

[cburger]

If you send me an email I have pictures that will help you.

[Bob D]

Apparently when S&L first issued their two speed, double action 555 model it was driven by chain, not gears. I doubt they made very many - or else I wouldn't have this problem.

I contacted the guy in England - he has no information.

Maybe I have a colector's item here?

The Hyspeed design uses chain to wrap around the sprockets in a way that creates double action - so when I get some of my parts back from the shop I will try to rig the chains in a similar way.

It would still be very helpful if anyone out there has any information about how a chain drive Seatiger, two speed, double action 555 manual windlass works.

If I ever do get it figured out, I'll take pictures and post them.

[cburger]

I have many picture of the S/L disassembly, if you give me a contact email I will see that you get them.

[Bob D]

Thanks to some help here, the windlass is back together.

It appears to be a very unique design - serial number 165. Here are some pictures.

[winterbuoy]

Wow that is real dif from the one I have. Mine is all apart right now and looks nothing like that inside, no chains. Sure it's not a knock off? I'm no expert but I've never heard of chains in a 555

[Bob D]

It can't be a knock off - too many of the same parts.

I purchased some bushings, the spring pin, bottom gasket and grease fitting from the S&L dealer in England and they fit perfectly.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone else who has one like this - and their serial number (stamped on the base where the chain feeds below deck)

[Jim Cate]

G'Day All,
Can't speak about the 555, but I had a S/L Hyspeed (single speed) windlass on a boat about 25 years ago. It too had a chain drive, and the one-way clutch in it was a Bendix coaster brake, like off a Schwinn bike. Really!! A worthless POS in a salt water environment, since none of the seals sealed very much (water got in, lube oil out). It died fairly young and I didn't bother rebuilding it. Hope that your 555 is a more robust device.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Broken Bay, NSW, Oz

[svelto]

I just bought one of these parts. It appears to be in functioning condition, needing only to be painted on the exterior. I am curious if you have any pearls of wisdom regarding disassembly/reassembly sequence, and if you were able to locate parts (not that I think I need any). Also, I scanned the exterior but have not found a serial number. Where was your "165" located?

Thanks.

[skipmac]

Hi Bob D

When you say you contacted the guy in England are you referring to John McMaster at SL Spares in Paisley, Scotland?

He was very helpful when I was rebuilding my S-L Seawolf but if he's the one you contacted it could be you have an odd ball unit he doesn't know.

[zeehag]

i was advised simpson lawrence windlasses are collectors items. waaahhh ... .
i only want a sea tiger for my formosa 41

[svelto]

Bob D:
I belatedly saw where you described the location of the serial number; I have #163.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i was advised simpson lawrence windlasses are collectors items. waaahhh ... .
i only want a sea tiger for my formosa 41

Well if you're serious contact John McMaster at Simpson Lawrence Yacht parts and spares | Homepage. He's got parts and complete Sea Tiger 555 windlasses for sale. For old S-L stuff he seems to be the man to see.

I called him a couple of times and he was quite nice and knew all there was to know about my Sea Wolf. He is even going to start building new Sea Wolf windlasses.

I took my 25 year old model apart for an overhaul and found almost nothing to do. The only parts I replaced were the two external seals/bearings that are directly exposed to the wet chain. Those had rusted up, otherwise everything else looked like new.

[lancelot9898]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day All,
Can't speak about the 555, but I had a S/L Hyspeed (single speed) windlass on a boat about 25 years ago. It too had a chain drive, and the one-way clutch in it was a Bendix coaster brake, like off a Schwinn bike. Really!! A worthless POS in a salt water environment, since none of the seals sealed very much (water got in, lube oil out). It died fairly young and I didn't bother rebuilding it. Hope that your 555 is a more robust device.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Broken Bay, NSW, Oz

I too have the S/L single speed windlass on my boat and have just the opposite observation. I've never had a need to take it apart only applied exterior paint to it twice over the 25 years of use. Just made sure that it was lubed at the begining of each sailing season. I'm not a world cruiser so maybe the useage is not as rigerous as some, but many of the world cruisers that I've known while living aboard at the dock have tended to anchor for weeks or months at a time while I'll anchor for one night and then go to another anchorage. When returning to the dock I will rinse off the windlass and the boat with fresh water and that probably helps.

[patprevost]

Hello!

I have bougth the exacly the same windlass with chains and i would love to put my hand on on diagram or manual or a good samaritan that is willing to share info with me!!!

Tanks in advance
Patrick Prévost

patprevost@hotmail.com
Montréal, Qué, Can