{"id":61733,"date":"2024-01-11T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/?p=61733"},"modified":"2024-01-10T14:44:27","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T19:44:27","slug":"anchor-windlass-issue-troubleshooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/gear\/anchor-windlass-issue-troubleshooting\/","title":{"rendered":"Troubleshooting Common Anchor Windlass Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Anchor <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n A windlass is a back-saving piece of ear, so make sure it remains in good operating condition. <\/span>\n Courtesy Lenny Rudow<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Hauling an anchor has been enjoyed by no one, anywhere, ever. It\u2019s a back-breaking chore that can only be resolved with one thing: an anchor windlass. But, blessing though they may be, anchor windlasses are known for having numerous issues that can stop them cold. The good news is that it\u2019s usually easy to troubleshoot and resolve the problem in short order. Here\u2019s how to figure out what the windlass issue is, and hopefully, get it running again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slip Sliding Away<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the windlass appears to be operating properly, but the rode isn\u2019t moving, the most likely issue is a simple clutch adjustment. Check your owner\u2019s manual for how to adjust the clutch (some windlasses have a knob you can turn by hand and others require a winch handle), tighten it up, and give it another try. If the clutch is sufficiently tight, but the windlass still isn\u2019t taking up line, there\u2019s a possibility that the gears are stripped, and the problem will have to be addressed back at the marina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Lewmar <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n This wiring diagram for a Lewmar VX1 shows just how many connections and contacts are involved with a windlass.<\/span>\n Courtesy Lewmar<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

No Signs of Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you flip the switch and nothing happens at all, it’s likely an electrical issue. Step number one is to check the circuit breaker. If the breaker is popped ,reset the breaker and try again. If not, you need to ascertain why and where there is a lack of power. Use a voltmeter to check both sides of the breaker and switch to make sure they\u2019re working properly, then check the motor itself. If there\u2019s no power, check the cables running to the motor. If it shows power, but voltage drops way off when you hit the switch, you have a battery problem and the motor isn\u2019t getting sufficient juice. If there\u2019s plenty of power, the next suspect is the solenoid switch. A clicking noise is a sign that the contacts are corroded or it\u2019s given up the ghost and needs to be replaced. The solenoid is good, but still no luck? In that case, the problem may be more significant, likely in the motor itself, and you\u2019ll need to get that anchor up manually and call in a pro who can disassemble it and diagnose the motor problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deployment Denied<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re trying to let out the rode and the windlass keeps clunking, but nothing else seems to be happening, there\u2019s a good chance you have a tangle below decks. You\u2019ll have to access the rope locker from below and straighten out the rode. If you don\u2019t see an obvious tangle, also look for snags, as the rode can become snarled around a bolt-end or a hatch frame in the anchor locker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Windlass <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n In some cases, a handle is used to operate the anchor windlass’ clutch.<\/span>\n Photo by Quick USA<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Starts and Fits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Does your windlass work fine for a bit, shut off, then work again a few minutes later? If so, chances are the problem is with the operator, not the windlass. This is a sign of overloading the unit and an automatic shut-down taking place to prevent overheating and further damage. Most of the time this is caused by people using the windlass to pull the boat forward to the anchor. Remember, these units are designed to lift the anchor up, not pull your boat along and wrench the anchor out of the bottom. Next time, use the boat\u2019s engines to pull forward while the windlass takes up slack. When the rode is vertical, cleat the line then shift the boat\u2019s engines in reverse to pull the anchor free. Then and only then, resume operating the windlass to haul up the anchor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Goes Up Must Go Down<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Except for when it doesn\u2019t. When a windlass operates in one direction only, it\u2019s usually another solenoid issue and this time the switch is stuck. It may start working again if you rap the exterior of the switch, as sometimes that will jiggle it free. This is a temporary fix at best, however, and you should replace the switch before your next cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, there are other problems that can arise with a windless. Stripped gears, broken teeth and worn brushes are all issues that you might encounter. Troubleshooting and fixing these problems, however, generally require the services of a boatyard and\/or replacing the unit. Which, of course, you\u2019ll want to have happen asap\u2014unless you\u2019re the one person who finds hauling the anchor manually fun exercise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An anchor windlass saves a lot of work, but they can break down. Here’s how to fix them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":61736,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Lenny Rudow","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","custom_permalink":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"sponsored_image":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":true,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\"","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","sponsored_url":"","social_share":true,"ad_targeting":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true},"categories":[158],"tags":[1492,1959,168,1029,1118,1909],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61733"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61733\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}