Lofrans Windlass - can you save my marriage?

[Papawads]

The Admiral is responsible for anchoring and it's become apparent, that unless I get my dodgy windlass sorted, I'll be sailing solo (and potentially doing many other things solo...)

I'm trying to remove the motor, from my Lofrans Airon, installed in my 2001 Jeanneau. It is completely inaccessible, unless I can remove everything on deck and drop the underside into the front berth.

So I pulled off the drum, the gypsy etc, took out the key and I'm staring at a clutch cone, which I've wiggled, jiggled and coerced, but it's not for lifting. Does anyone have an idea what to do. Have looked at many 'strip down' videos, but none covered this...

Thanks guys
Papawads
:-)

[ranger58sb]

1) You might be able to loosen the upper cone with penetrating oil (Kroil, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, etc.) and after that has time to work... you might be able to get it slightly started moving using a shim of some sort (wooden or synthetic, not metal) around the edges.

2) If that doesn't work, call Imtra and ask for Raymond.

3) Swap roles. You take over anchoring duties at the bow, let your wifey work details at the helm. Shouldn't take much strength to move a gear lever or turn a wheel.

-Chris

[Papawads]

Originally Posted by ranger58sb

1) You might be able to loosen the upper cone with penetrating oil (Kroil, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, etc.) and after that has time to work... you might be able to get it slightly started moving using a shim of some sort (wooden or synthetic, not metal) around the edges.

2) If that doesn't work, call Imtra and ask for Raymond.

-Chris

I should have mentioned, it's ratting like my granny's false teeth. Clearly loose and ready to lift, but something is preventing it coming off. I can raise it 2-3 mm all around

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Papawads

I should have mentioned, it's ratting like my granny's false teeth. Clearly loose and ready to lift, but something is preventing it coming off. I can raise it 2-3 mm all around

Do you have an exploded parts diagram? That might help. Imtra probably has one online.,..

-Chris

[LifesBetterWhenYoureBeating]

I had a similar issue and mine only came out with a bearing puller

[ranger58sb]

The manual with exploded parts diagram is available in the Lofrans website library.

On our vertical Project 1500, a similar but newer and slightly different model, there's a "stripper" that has to come off before removing the gypsy and upper clutch cone. The "stripper" on ours is a U-shaped thing, with an arm; the U sort of mates with the rounded profile of the gypsy.

On the Airon diagram, the stripper (part #288) looks different from ours, but could be the part keeping the gypsy and upper clutch cone from lifting. Especially if it seems like the gypsy and cones are loose enough to lift... but being inhibited by something.

On ours, previous owners apparently never heard of chain stoppers or bridles or whatever... so our upper clutch cone was also bent/deformed around the mainshaft... and they were almost "welded" together... to the point where it took several days of penetrating oil and some pounding with wood blocks and shims before it would loosen up from the mainshaft.

-Chris

[JPA Cate]

If removing the stripper doesn't work, you need to see whatever's keeping the clutch cone from moving. A camping mirror might help you find whatever it is. You have to put on your Sherlock cap, and invent ways to find the little son of a gun.

Ann

[ranger58sb]

Progress?

-Chris

[Papawads]

Originally Posted by ranger58sb

Progress?

-Chris

We're en-route from Corfu to Crete, currently near the famous 'Wreck Bay' on Zakynthos. I'm waiting for the next 2 day layover, which should be soon. Visiting ancient Olympia, laying up St Katokolon for 48 hours. Will write up :-)

[Papawads]

Originally Posted by Papawads

We're en-route from Corfu to Crete, currently near the famous 'Wreck Bay' on Zakynthos. I'm waiting for the next 2 day layover, which should be soon. Visiting ancient Olympia, laying up St Katokolon for 48 hours. Will write up :-)

Update, with a direct quote "you're not messing about with that damn windlass until we're safely in Crete; it's been ok the last few days..." so that's a July job now

[Bobby Lex]

Originally Posted by ranger58sb

1) You might be able to loosen the upper cone with penetrating oil (Kroil, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, etc.) and after that has time to work... you might be able to get it slightly started moving using a shim of some sort (wooden or synthetic, not metal) around the edges.

2) If that doesn't work, call Imtra and ask for Raymond.

3) Swap roles. You take over anchoring duties at the bow, let your wifey work details at the helm. Shouldn't take much strength to move a gear lever or turn a wheel.

-Chris

+1. That's how we do it on our boat. Admiral drives while I do the grunt work with the anchor. It's not nearly as nuanced or skill-demanding as docking.

Bob