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timlabute · 31-01-2018, 10:37

Hey all, Tim here from Lady K Sailing. We're headed south from the Great Lakes this August and going super cheap. We found a very cheap windlass second hand but I'm having a heck of a time figuring out the chain size. The gypsy is a Vetus but no model number found. Gypsy is unmarked. Here are some pics... can anyone help?

captain465 · 31-01-2018, 11:25

Why not take it to a marine supply store that sells chain and try different size chain in the gypsy? Or buy a foot of chain that looks close and try that way. Or, if you can remove the gypsy, it might be marked on the housing side. I would guess that it's for 5/16" chain.

timlabute · 31-01-2018, 11:30

Hey, unfortunately we don'y have any marine stores here that sell chain. Power boat store but already stopped there. And a transport truck place that has all kinds of G70, no dice. Removed and cleaned already and no markings at all. I've done all the no brainer stuff. Need some expert advice

double u · 01-02-2018, 03:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain465

Why not take it to a marine supply store that sells chain and try different size chain in the gypsy? Or buy a foot of chain that looks close and try that way. Or, if you can remove the gypsy, it might be marked on the housing side. I would guess that it's for 5/16" chain.

inconclusive without lots of load on the chain! did this here in the shop several times, quite a few different chains seem "fit" a gypsy if there is no load

savoir · 01-02-2018, 03:21

That looks like the kind of thing that sees pretty hefty chain like around 7/16".

I'm guessing that you would only be wanting 5/16".

sailormed · 01-02-2018, 05:23

Why not try Vetus for an answer. They are the supposed specialists. They should be able to tell you what the chainsize is if they still have the manufactoring drawings. How ols is it?

timlabute · 01-02-2018, 07:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by savoir

That looks like the kind of thing that sees pretty hefty chain like around 7/16".

I'm guessing that you would only be wanting 5/16".

Think so? i wonder if i can find different gypsies. Ill try to reach the company.

Thanks guys

JOHNMARDALL · 01-02-2018, 11:30

We made three windlasses in that configuration, although they have been out of production for many years. Each one was available with two different metric gypsies, with a combined range of 8, 10, 12 and 13 mm chain pockets. I assume that you've already pulled the gypsy and not found a number on its side. As already suggested, the best way of sizing an unmarked gypsy is to take it to a chain supplier and try chain until you find the correct fit, but it may get you a bit further along the road if I send you the manuals for each windlass. It that would help, please send me your email address.

All the best
John Mardall
Vetus Maxwell Group

timlabute · 01-02-2018, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNMARDALL

We made three windlasses in that configuration, although they have been out of production for many years. Each one was available with two different...

Wow thank you so much for the info! I will PM you with my email. Correct, no numbers anywhere.

Does that mean mine is either going to be for 8mm and 10mm, or for 12mm and 13mm?

If that's the case it will be fairly easy to figure out. I appreciate your help!

Tim