Does anyone recognise this windlass?

[SV Andorinha]

Hello!

I was hoping people could help me identify the windlass on my boat (see next two pics). Any pointers towards identifying it would be great!

My intention is the disassemble the windlass for general inspection and maintenance now that I am finding myself on the hard for the winter.

The real problem I am dealing with is trying to remove the plat under the wildcat (see next picture) I was hoping that identifying the windlass would help me to find the manual whoch could then further help me to disassemble the windlass.

Kind regards,
Johan

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Johan. What a beast of a windlass. Perhaps if you were to access the motor/gear assembly below deck, that would give you the brand and model. Our boat came with a different windlass than yours, but that is where I found the information that I needed.

 

[SV Andorinha]

Hi terry,

Thanks for your reply. I can see the motor below deck. Unfortunately, the name plate did not have visible writing on it. The only writing I can make up are the letters A H (and I think C??) on the very top (see 2nd picture). But lot's of googling (also submitting the picture above to image search) has not been provided me with any further clues. The prvious owner also doesn't know the brand.

 

[jssailem]

Looking at several boats built in the early 70’s in Australia using Bruce Roberts (Australian) designs, I would look for an Aussie winch manufacturer.

 

[SV Andorinha]

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply. I have been spending some time looking up older australian windlass manufacturors. I also have been looking at pictures of Bruce Roberts boats. Unfortunately it hasn't lead me any closer to an answer.

 

[jssailem]

I know It was a bit off a shot. There was on image I saw of a Aussie yacht that had a big windlass on the bow, unfortunately I could not blow it up to compare with yours.

Are you looking for parts or just trying to remove the parts to clean and service them. It sure looks to be a stout rig.

 

[jssailem]

The capstan appears to have an A stamped in the bronze. Can you identify any of the letters on the top? Is the drive electric or hydraulic?

 

[jssailem]

I did come across this similar lookin windlass

 

[heritage]

Try posting on the Cruisers Forum. They have a large number of Australian members.

 

[Terry Cox]

The horizontal Maxwell windlass on our boat was made in Australia, but looks nothing like the PO's vertical unit.

 

[SV Andorinha]

Are you looking for parts or just trying to remove the parts to clean and service them. It sure looks to be a stout rig.

My intention is to clean and service the windlass. Yes, most stuff on my boat is old, but robust. I have all intentions to keep this windlass going for years to come.

The capstan appears to have an A stamped in the bronze. Can you identify any of the letters on the top? Is the drive electric or hydraulic?

Yes, I have identify the smaller letters as A and C, and a central large H? And yes, I have been asking google about the letters The drive is electric.

Try posting on the Cruisers Forum. They have a large number of Australian members.

I already did a post there as well I did however not get any reply.

---

In the mean time, I have been talking to people at the boatyard and at the bar. The beers have paid of. Someone just passed by at the boat and was able to at least confirm the mechanism that holds the base plate in place. So now at least I know a next step in the disassembly, which hopefully, brings me closer to accessing the gearbox.

Still, knowing the make of the windlass would be nice because then I can look into how get parts.

 

[jssailem]

With old stout gear you need to be a bit of a sleuth to discover the mysteries they hide.
Do you know the history of your boat. Where she was built? Where she sailed in the early days of her first splash?
Often a windlass would be installed be a serious owner. Where the boat was sailing may give a clue to the manufacturer.

 

[Terry Cox]

Good morning, Johan. Mr. Bob Walker, with Vetus, Inc., was very helpful in determining the brand and maker of our windlass awhile ago. Perhaps he might be able to provide some insight as to your unit. You can e-mail him at, "rwalker@vetus.com". His contact information is:
VETUS Inc.
7251 National Drive
Suite B
Hanover, MD 21076
Tel: +1 (0)410 712 0740
Mobile: -
Fax: +1 (0)410 712 0985

 

[SV Andorinha]

Thanks Terry! I will certainly send that email.

Do you know the history of your boat. Where she was built? Where she sailed in the early days of her first splash?

John, I know that the boat was built in Brisbane, Australia in 1976. I have no knowledge of her travels in the very beginning. I do know she underwent a serious refit (after being demasted), on a boatyard in Great Britain somewhere in the early 90s.

 

[jssailem]

The windlass looks like something that could come from either of those seaports. Certainly a piece of equipment I would expect to be located on a boat that would be crossing oceans and anchored in serious water. What is used by my boat and many production boats in use is, lets say, ‘less beefy’. More attuned to football (soccer) than say rugby.

You got a “Strong like Ox” designed windlass. That and the fact that the boat designer was an Aussie led me to look for an Australian manufacture from the 60’s or 70’s.

 

[SV Andorinha]

Bob Walker could not identify the windlass either. He said it reminded it of the old Ideal windlasses (I already with Scheafer it is not an ideal windlass) or the Galleymaid, or maybe Hutton Arco (because of the letters). I will look into those possibilities.

The investigation continues...

 

[SV Andorinha]

So here an update:
I have essentially given up on trying to identify the windlass. I have had some other people looking who have seen more different types of windlasses and/or electric motors. So with their ideas I was able to take off the base plate (fixed with a roll pin through the shaft), access the gearbox and finally take off the electric motor. The motor has been serviced: put new brushes in and cleaned the commutator., and it works! I will paint the outer casing of the motor and then the windlass will be ready for assembly!

So I continue not to have any clue which type of windlass I have. But I have stopped worrying about that at this point.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[jssailem]

Thanks for the follow up. Glad you weee able to get it working.

 

[dLj]

So I continue not to have any clue which type of windlass I have. But I have stopped worrying about that at this point.

Thank you all for your help!

The most important part is having a working, reliable unit.

dj

 

[Terry Cox]

Thank you all for your help!

You are most welcome, Johan. Having serviced and placed back into working order, it should last you for many years. Thank you for the update.