Sorry, long post but....There are probably 100's of McMurry windlasses out there still pulling up chain and many of them have had or will need servicing. About 5 years ago I found Hayner
Marine in
Seattle was still offering
parts but there are no longer in business. Doc Freeman's the original supplier is long since out of business. Does anyone know who is offering
parts / motors? I am in search of a
motor, mine is bi-directional.
My
research indicates that some of the McMurry's out there only
work in the UP position which probably means that their owner needed a new
motor and was unable to find a bi-directional motor so choses to replace it with the more-common starter motor. McMurry's have a clutch-brake system which would allow you to lower the chain without the motor...probably not the best, but it would
work. I am fairly certain that the original motor used in the McMurry (at least my model 1000) is a "Ford Long Shaft" starter-type motor with windings/posts for use in both directions. It may be a Prestolite motor. The replacement motor I got from Hayner was stamped 3125 which may refer to a Lester p/n. Googling for 3125 picked up no results. Anyone know a good source?
The starter motors get REAL hot when used in the
windlass application. This is because they were not designed for continous duty. A starter is typically run for short intervals (up to 30 seconds) then allowed to cool before it is re-used. Most
boat owners lack the patience for this or the situation will not
permit it when hoisting
anchor. If anyone know of a long-shaft motor for continous duty I am all ears. I hope this info and the possible answers that others can share will benefit other McMurry owners. Cheers.