Opinion on Simpson/Lawence Sprint 600

True Story · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know if the footprint of the new V700 is the same or similar as the Sprint 600? I'm thinking about switching windlasses as my 600 has quit operating and I'm hoping I could remove and replace without a bunch of work retrofitting the deck cut outs. Thanks, Tim

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

True Story · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your response Joe. Les and I finally hooked up and he's trying to contact the Lewmar rep. He indicated the Sprint 600 has been a reliable unit. Tim

C-Change · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:29 pm Post subject:

Sprint 600 disaster.....

The last time we anchored out, I had a lot of trouble bringing in the anchor rode. The windlass seemed bogged down when retrieving even though the batteries were fully charged and there was no stress on the line. A couple of days ago while in our slip, I decided to give it another try. The rode went out with no problem at full speed. One I had a pile of chain and line on the dock, I tried to retrieve and same problem - the motor sounded like it was laboring and this time the battery charger was plugged in and the batteries were fully charged.

I finally decided to remove the windlass to see if I could figure out the problem... Well... once I got it home and took the gearcase off ,the problem became obvious.... It looked like a mess in there! Obviously water had entered the gearcase and corroded the geartrain and the bearings. The bearing for the main shaft was completely rusted and frozen. Actually, most everything was rusted and frozen. Well to make a long story shorter. It looks like the seal on the main shaft was never installed... water came in under the gypsy and rolled right into the bearing and into the gearcase.

Monday, I'll call the Lewmar rep in Seattle and see if he is willing to help. I purchased the boat used so I am not sure if they will repair it. Hopefully I can at least get some new parts. If not, has anyone tried the V700? I have seen a couple on ebay new for under $600.

Jan
C-Change

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

Well, I finally got the Maxwell Freedom 500. Looks like a very substantial
unit, but I have not handled that many windlasses...

So, what I didn't realize fully is that the motor for this unit is horizontal,
even though it is a "vertical" windlass. Has anyone installed one of these
on a CD-22? Have any problems getting it to fit? Did you just let the
motor extend a bit into the V-berth? I haven't been down to the boat
since I picked up the windlass, so perhaps there won't be a problem.

Installation of the windlass itself looks fairly straightforward. However,
there is a decent sized relay box, an 80 amp breaker plus the
control itself to find room for. If you have installed one of these, I'd
appreciate hearing your experiences. Perhaps I'll install the control
on a bracket under the walkaround, forward of the throttle... something
like that. Or perhaps such that I can manipulate the throttle and
the switch at the same time... that might be nice.

Maxwell calls for '3' gauge wire - I think 4 should be fine. Thoughts?
I know many windlasses in this size range are wired with 8 gauge,
but I've always thought that was a bit light.

Thanks,

Mike

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject:

The Maxwell is a vertical axis windlass. I have owned several maxwells and they have given excellent service. I think you have to live with the motor in the V berth area--probably will do will, since you will get little moisture in there. You might want to use some of the foam which covers water pipes in the winter over the chain to keep out water (actually works well on all windlasses)>

Regards,

Bob

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject:

Forty Two · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:13 am Post subject:

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject:

4 gauge Ancor brand on E-Bay @ $1.68/ft, with at cost UPS ground shipping...!

That is going to save me some money. Ordered yellow...in the past,
I've always forgotten to buy that and end up with black.

Mike

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:43 am Post subject:

Mike-

Most windlasses with combination rope/chain gypsies are designed to use 3-strand nylon rope, usually 1/2" for the windlasses used in boats the size of C-Dorys.

There are some variations in three strand nylon rope, two of them being the tightness or firmness of the braid, and the second being the stiffness of the rope, which is the resistance to bending.

Most windlasses seem to work better with a firm, moderately stiff rope. A rope that is too soft and easy to bend can jam in the windlass, particularly where it exits the gypsy and drops down into the rode locker. A stiffer and firmer rope tends to mind it's own business and pass through the system will less tendency to bunch up and jam the mechanism.

The stiffer rope also has less of a tendency to loop around itself and invent funny knots as it lands down in the rode locker.

One such stiff and firm rope that I can recommend is the New England Ropes Premium Anchor Rope offered by West Marine. I'm sure there are others, you might check them out and see how they compare.

How do I know this? Three rodes later I can say I speak from experience and say "I've been down that rode."

Just MHO and $0.02.

Joe. Teeth

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:47 am Post subject:

The Fran Sea · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:38 pm Post subject:

Lewmar Pro700 vs Lewmar Pro-Fish 700FF

I plan on putting an automatic windless on my 22' C-Dory and can't decide between the manuel and auto Free Fall unit. Has anyone had any experience with the Free Fall?? Is it possible to lower the line on the FF manually or is it alway FF? Here in Tampa Bay where the waters not deep, manual would work OK, but when we fish offshore in 100' plus, seems a free fall would be nice.

Let me have some input on your experience with both units... and any other useful suggestions..... Thanks

PS... I think I accidently started a new thread on this also Smile

_________________

thataway · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:15 pm Post subject:

Roger I have both--the 700 on the TC and the 700Pro on the CD 25--got it by mistake--not sure if mine or the internet seller. The pro can be used manual power down, as well as free fall. You have to do the change over at the windlass. Works fine. You are more likely to use the free fall in fishing situations where you want the anchor down fast....For most of my cruising in shallow water, power down is fine.

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:03 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure the Freedom 500 can have its clutch released at the windlass
for freefall. If you are interested, I'll find the manual. I haven't pulled the
boat out since I got the windlass, so aside from making sure it basically
works, I haven't started on this project.

Mike

The Fran Sea · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:03 am Post subject:

Thanks all for the input

I've decided on the Pro-Fish 700FF. Smile

Confirmed that it can be switched between FF and manual, and that's the issue. Also note on their literature that the say that the Pro 700 has 100% stainless steel CASE and the Pro-Fish 700FF IS ALL 100% stainless steel. Don't know if that's advertising gobbly gook or if there's a message there.