Hey RC, My Windlass Stopped Working...?

Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
My fun from yesterday....




The new fangled "Swatch Watch" windlass motor... Oh wait, that window into the inner workings is not supposed to be there.......:confused:



Believe it or not this motor was still actually trying to turn over...... I give it credit for lasting 32 years!!!!
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
Dang! That thingy lasted way too looong..no wonder factories are shutting...;)
 
Oct 25, 2011
576
Island Packet IP31 Lake St. Louis, Montreal
Wow. the fact that it was trying to turn over is impressive. The rest of the windlass looks like it might be in ok shape.

Cheers

Matt
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Wow. the fact that it was trying to turn over is impressive. The rest of the windlass looks like it might be in ok shape.

Cheers

Matt
Rest of the windlass is perfect including the gears. New motor on order and she'll likely go another 30 years....
 
May 24, 2004
7,213
CC 30 South Florida
Thirty two years, wow. The do not make them like that anymore. In certain cases I have consciously abandoned maintenance to some components that have exceeded their projected useful life. I find it is sometimes better or more convenient to lead a well worn component to an early grave than to provide extensive maintenance which may just prolong small problems or the lack of trust in its performance.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Thirty two years, wow. The do not make them like that anymore. In certain cases I have consciously abandoned maintenance to some components that have exceeded their projected useful life. I find it is sometimes better or more convenient to lead a well worn component to an early grave than to provide extensive maintenance which may just prolong small problems or the lack of trust in its performance.
Considering a new bronze windlass like this is $4700.00, and I can repair it with a new motor for about $1200.00, I'd say it is well worth keeping. The bronze gears, bearings and capstans are in amazing condition with no slop or corrosion. The motor arrived yesterday and it will get installed on Monday... Owner is much happier that it did not entail a new bronze windlass. A new motor every 15 is probably more in-line than every 30+....;)