Maxwell 1000 vertical windlass

[dolami]

I am having trouble taking apart my Maxwell 1000 vertical windlass located in the bow of my Catalina 387.
As per the directions of the owner's manual I have unscrewed the connector for the gearbox to the windlass, however, the gearbox will not disengage from the windlass. The only solution I can see is to tap the gear box loose. There is no room in the small window in the v-berth to use a small hammer. I can lay a 2X4 across gear box and hammer the exposed wood.
When I start using the hammer it is usually not a good outcome. Help please

[Cheechako]

I dont know, but be sure there isnt a C clip or E clip holding things together before you start banging on it!
The exploded assy diagram for an RC10 shows item 38, a "quick release clip" on the bottom. Is that your windlass, do you have a diagram?

[dolami]

Yes, there was a clip on the bottom of the shaft which I removed.