Leaking Windlass

[seadaddler]

Finally getting to fixing my dripping windlass on my 07 H-36,it's been dripping for about 1 year but after I took the wood paneling down in the vee berth I found out it's more than just a dripping and the 4 bolts holding the motor to the base plate were loose and most likely allow it to leak more but not so much to do any real water damage other than on the inner wood paneling of the vee berth,most likely from when ever I wash down the windlass in the anchor locker with fresh water hose from my dock.
I took the main shaft part up and out and unbolted the motor below from the studs used to hold the motor to the base plate studs.
I also took the base plate off and to the servvice person and he will replace the wiper seal and sealed bearing,it ran great with out any problems but decided to replace the shaft bearing while changing the wiper seal and having it all apart is good time to change the bearing.
Some times from the salt water the shaft can freez to the bearing but I haved added grease to it over the years and so everything was OK.
The repair guy will order the parts and replaced the seal and bearing and I will put everything back together,I will take photo's to help anyone else would like to see how to do this fix and grease can be added to the shaft with out taking the windlass apart as I have done with this fix.
nick

 

[Ray Bowles]

I would check for any delamination that might have occured around all the exposed holes where they pass through the deck.
Thanks for the write up and the future photos. I'm sure they will help someone down the line.
Ray

 

[seadaddler]

Leaks

No delamination at all and I will be resealing all bolts that are in the area of the windlass for sure.
I will post Photo's of the windlass apart aand what was done,I know others here had the same problem.
I am lucky to have a local guy to get the parts and I decided to let him replace the bearing and wiper seal for me.
nick

 

[onecoolair]

Condensation was the problem I had. Wrapped the shaft with butyl insulating tape and that helped. Also need good ventilation up in that area . I removed the panel about a year ago and left it laying tilted up in the vee birth . Till I could figure how I wanted to insulate and water proof panel. And how make sure if any leaking did happen it would just drain forward into the dead space in the bow and down to the bilge No sweeting as taken place sense panel was dropped . So when I do get around to putting panel back up ventilation will be part of the plan.

 

[Ken13559]

nick, did you check the motor? After 7-8 years of not much use, my stock Simpson Lawrence windlass motor magnets broke into many pieces and got stuck onto the rotor. Had to change new motor.

 

[seadaddler]

Runs Great

Well my windlass runs great and I do use it a lot here in Florida with the sailing club on many weekend cruses and do 2 -3 week cruises every year.
Well the repair guy call yesterday that my base plate is ready and replaced with new wiper seal,new bearing and new locking clipper,the bearing was really very good but since I was replacing the seal and having it apart decided on new bearing.
The biggest thing I can say is at least once a year lift the Gipsy/drum Mainshaft and add grease and will make it last longer aand help keep the shaft from freezing to the bearing,I do regrease every year with out taking the whole thing apart and just taking the drum off and it will lift a few inches so you can add grease,my windlass was making noise a few years back and I just added grease and so much better.
nick