Windlass replacement/boatyard recommendations

[warchbold]

After coming out of storage the windlass on my 1996 Island Packet 37 is frozen and will not operate. I am currently in Cocoa, FL on my way down the ICW to Lake Worth to prepare for my first crossing to The Bahamas. I am having a very hard time finding anyone willing to install a new one. Does anyone have suggestions for a good boatyard or mechanic in the Ft Pierce or Stuart area or anyplace between Cocoa and Lake Worth? Thanks


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[a64pilot]

You know I can't find someone to give money to either, I guess I'm going to have to do it myself, I can't believe it, but I can't even get estimates for a generator install.

[Hard Rock Candy]

I hate to say this, But either one of those jobs could be handled by a novice. And we were all novice's at one time. Just stop a while near a town, like Sturt Florida and park in the big bay downtown and go buy whatever tool you need at Harbor freight. take something off and mark it with a piece of masking tape so you know where it goes and keep doing that until you get done and you will have repaired your windless or your generator. If you are going to sail,
you either pay the Piper or play the tune yourself. If you start playing now you can do it later, when you really need some help, and the Piper is not around Mac

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Hard Rock Candy

I hate to say this, But either one of those jobs could be handled by a novice. And we were all novice's at one time. ............ :

Yes we were but some of us studied formally, some studied informally or just grew up around people were "handy". Not everybody is handy and not everyone has the skills to install a windlass or more importantly a marine genset.

Replacing a failed windlass is relatively simple providing the replacement is the same brand and model. Not so simple if the holes need to be moved or the wiring is different. Even with the same wiring a person would have to know how to make proper, safe and moisture resistant connections. Not everyone can do that and I have seen the results.

A novice installing a marine genset? Bad Idea. Really bad idea. There's mechanical, there's fuel, there's exhaust and there's electrical. Anything done wrong could be fatal, both to the boat and to the occupants.

[SmartMove]

We replaced ours ourselves -- it was really easy. Are you replacing the whole thing or are you trying to replace parts?


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[model 10]

[QUOTE=rwidman;1678080]Yes we were but some of us studied formally, some studied informally or just grew up around people were "handy". Not everybody is handy and not everyone has the skills to install a windlass or more importantly a marine genset.

With your formal education you must have lots of money. When you are stuck somewhere I hope it all works out, because not being "handy" must suck.

[nigel1]

Warchbold,

Do you have any info on the windlass, Maker, model etc.
Bit more detail would be useful in getting helpful replies. Never know, might turn out to be an easy fix.

[Finistere]

I installed the original and the replacement on my IP37. It gets a bit tight to work in the anchor locker from the V berth, the trick is to remove the staysail support turnbuckle and tangs that are attached to the divider. If you get a similar unit the wiring should be the same, just label the existing connections. At the most you may need a saber saw and a drill plus some hand tools.

Note, I also installed a generator that has been running safely for the last ten years.


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[rwidman]

[QUOTE=Guy;1678126]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Yes we were but some of us studied formally, some studied informally or just grew up around people were "handy". Not everybody is handy and not everyone has the skills to install a windlass or more importantly a marine genset.

With your formal education you must have lots of money. When you are stuck somewhere I hope it all works out, because not being "handy" must suck.

What do you mean by that? Is it supposed to be an insult of some kind?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, warchbold.

[Roy M]

Pull the electric motor off of the windlass, take it into a starter repair shop, have them service it, then reinstall it on the windlass. Electric motors are relatively easy to repair and maintain and don't cost that much to get serviced. After you get it back, spray it with hydrophobic paint available at Home Depot. Make sure your electrical connections are solid and dry.

[a64pilot]

I can do the generator install, I have the skills, just would take probably every weekend for the next month and a half. Let's see what it costs to have it done, that may be what determines if I do it or not.

Maybe the OP just wants a new windlass? Most people do not do their own work

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Roy M

Pull the electric motor off of the windlass, take it into a starter repair shop, have them service it, then reinstall it on the windlass. Electric motors are relatively easy to repair and maintain and don't cost that much to get serviced. After you get it back, spray it with hydrophobic paint available at Home Depot. Make sure your electrical connections are solid and dry.

I suggest making sure the problem is with the motor before removing it and carting it off to a shop. Just a little hint I picked up while working for a living.

[Roy M]

Also having done this for a living, I have learned that equipment that sits idle, in dark, damp places, and that is composed of multiple, vulnerable metals, and uses electricity, needs to be inspected, from time to time, and given preventive maintenance. Windlasses are not damaged by removal and cleaning, inspection and servicing. That goes for the switches that manufacturers insist on installing on the deck surface where they leak and die. I installed my up/down switch on the pulpit, farther from the source of possible discontent.

[Island Time O25]

About 3 or 4 seasons ago I got an old Nielsson H700 which came off a 50ft aluminum sailboat. It's the "all on deck" model with drum and gypsy on each side, motor inside the housing and nothing below the deck. Since it's outer shell looked scruffy and faded and lube nipples looked questionable my marine pro buddy suggested that we give it a through inside look and possible overhaul which would be pricey but still cheaper than buying new or near new windlass. With trepidation and anxiety and with a lot of coaxing of the bolts I watched him unbolt the thing and to our immense surprise the insides looked practically new. The worm gears and shafts and the motor all were in good shape, propeprly lubed and no sign of damage anywhere. The only issue were the lube nipples which must have corroded and or became weak and bent and would not let the lube through. Though miracuosly the insides stayed lubed and free from salt, dirt, etc. So I carefully drilled them out and replaced them with new nipples. I sanded and buffed the shell and then painted it inside and out with one base coat, 3 reg. coats of auto enamel paint and 2 top coats of clear enamel finish. 3 years later it works like a new unit although the paint does not as I must have missed something in applying it or may be just from regular use it needs to be repainted after 3-4 seasons.

The initial asking price was stiff for such an old unit, around $600 and I wasn't sure it would work well since it did look scruffy and somewhat neglected. And considering that a basic windlass could be purchased new from ebay/c-list for about a $1,000 there was not much incentive to get this one. But after dragging my boatbuilder buddy to check it out (not the same guy who helped me open it up) I was assured by him that it was a good deal since this type of a windlass is at least $2,000 and probably closer to $3,000 new, which a later trip to Newport Boat show confirmed ($2,900 plus tax "boat show price", $3,200 regular price). The second marine pro buddy also pronounced it a great deal after I bought it and we opened it up for inspection.

Now some may say I lucked out geting a scruffy unit and having it turned out fine but I think that even if the unit needed extensive repairs it would still be a great learning experience and still cheaper than the $3K asked for a new unit. From my perspetive putting a $3K brand new windlass on a then 30 year old boat is just not happening.