Lewmar Winlass Submerged

B

Bill3558

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Jan 12, 2007
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C Dory Year
2006
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Vessel Name
Pluto
We have had Pluto in rough water before but going up the Cape Fear River against 20 knots and a contrary tide created steep, large and breaking waves that put my bow underwater repeatedly for the first time. No water came in the boat, but I wonder what it might have done to the electric winlass. Appreciate any thoughts. Safe at Bald Head Island Marina now.
 
I should be completely fine. They are designed to be water tight and exposed to water. You might want to rinse off the outside with a little fresh water when you have a chance but I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Our boat came with a Lewmar Windlass. Truth be told I haven't used it yet, but I did have this cover made for it.
IMGP0003_001.sized.jpg
 
Don't give it another thought. They are watertight. Boats that go to sea can take water over the bow continually and expect the equipment to survive. Just hose it off. I squirt a bit of dish soap in the hawse pipe once in a while and turn on a hose for the rode and give the windlass a hose off too.
 
The cover is a good idea--it tends to keep water out of the hawse pipe.

Depending on where you were on the Cape Fear River would determine the Salinity. The more salinity the more possibility of corrosion. I would also examine the wiring to the windlass, and make sure that no water got into it. Also if a contractor or relay is used that it is OK.
 
I just replaced my windlass on a 2006 C Dory 25. I took it apart to lube it and the gears were completely ruined with salt water corrosion. I suspect that the windlass was used as the make fast at anchor. The stress on the short shaft must have damaged the seal and then water got in. Or the seal simply failed.

To prevent this kind of failure you would have to dismount the windlass every couple of years and relube it. I wish they were made with a good zerk fitting and a relief plug but like about everything modern they are sealed. The next time I take it out I will put fittings in the gear box.
 
My windlass has been dunked lots of times without problems.

Enough of that. Is that the Cape Fear river the houseboat went down in with Max Cady handcuffed to it? I have hated Robert De Niro ever since that movie.
 
My windlass has been dunked many times. Never a problem.

(And I'm old enough to hate Robert Mitchum more than De Niro.)
 
Our windless a 700 series horizantal purchased in April of 2009 had a bad seal and was replaced under warranty (5 years) this year. The older units had bad seals and allowed for salt water corrossion. The new seals are improved but I would think about adding a grease fitting or just remove it and send it down to the east coast service center for a cleaning and relube sort of check out every couple years. Lewmar's east coast service center Fluid Technologies 3477 Lakeshore Bldv. Jacksonville, Florida 32210 phone 904 384 9659 nice people. I would make the electrical connections easier to disconnect rather than having to cut and resplice the big cables. I used a couple of what is called in electrical slang are called bugs. They allow you to splice to of the larger cables together in a jaw that has a bolt that tightens down making for a good connection which can be undone easily. I do each cable separately and stagger the splices so they can't rub together. I just wrap the the bugs with good electrical tape and tywrap it up and as far from the opening as possible so it stays away from any spray or salt water period. This allows for an easy off and on. I usually replace the rubber gasket that comes with the windless that seals the deck and the under side of the windless. I also made a backing plate for the under side of the windless out of aluminum to spread the load on the bows deck should we stick an anchor.
D.D.
 
I have dunked my bow several times, and other than getting water in the hausepipe I don't believe the windlass has been adversely affected. Actually the windlass has been dunked more times than it has been used. Last time I checked ( a few weeks back) it did still work.

On another vein, anytime I am outside of the Sequim Bay entrance, the forward hatch is down and dogged. Never know when a big ship wake is going to dip my bow.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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