windless dissolves

[Terry in Naples]

I have not been on the sailboat ( at anchor) for 9 months. Shoulder surgery and recovery. So this weekend while out with the kids and grandkids we went to anchor up. I punched the button for down on the windless and it started down then clunked and stopped. I pressed the up button and it clunked and reeled in and I set it aside and used the spare anchor. Upon arriving home i opened up the anchor well for a closer inspection and found something amazing. Where the housing for the motor attaches to the outide parts (drum and chain casing and all above deck parts etc) there was nothing but powder. So the four bolts that go through the deck and bolt onto the bottom of the windless and the motor (and hold the motor in place) , well that part of the motor, housing or whatever was is just gone. Turned into powder. The motor was just dangling there attached only by the spine (drive shaft) that is part of the upper unit. I was dumbfounded.
So I suppose it is electrolysis or something but this is a 3 year old windless.
I am taking the system off and have emailed the company with a few pictures. I will let you know what happens.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

No backing plate? Leaks there are ubiquitous given the location which begs constant maintenance to ensure core deterioration or delamination from leaks are minimized.

[I know, easy to say...]

 

[NYSail]

Who was the installer? Seems that the system was not grounded / hooked up properly...... Not like its sitting in salt water

 

[Dantodd]

My guess is dissimilar metal corrosion. Stainless bolts will turn an aluminum case to powder just as described if not isolated.

 

[Dantodd]

No backing plate? Leaks there are ubiquitous given the location which begs constant maintenance to ensure core deterioration or delamination from leaks are minimized.

[I know, easy to say...]

In this case it sounds, from the OP, like the deck is sandwiched between the upper and lower "case," using the lower "case" as a backing plate.

 

[Terry in Naples]

The windlass was installed thru the anchor hatch. Below the hatch a 1.5 inch piece of hardwood was glued to the underside. The thru bolts were backed with large 1.5 inch washers. This was also secured to the bulkhead by bolts thru another piece of hardwood that was attached to the other piece. Sort of a l shaped block of wood. Then each thru bolted to the lid and bulkhead. The whole thing was then finished off with sealer and painted. Bolts were supplied by the windlass co.

 

[Benny17441]

I don't know but it soumds like your winch became the sacrificial anode to stray electrical power. Review the electrical insatallation and connections. Was it a dedicated power installation? Was power maintained on all the time? Do contact the manufacturer as the casings should have withstood longer than that.

 

[Terry in Naples]

I think you are right. It must have been an electrical problem. Anchorlift USA was more than helpful and I am made whole again. Terry