Windlass struggling to pull rope

[ryno1234]

I have a windlass that (as far as I know) is made to pull both rope and chain. My anchor is attached to a chain that then attaches to a long line of rope.

The windlass will let out the line no problem, but upon pulling it back up the results are inconsistent.

Usually it will begin pulling up the rope and get a couple of feet pulled before the rope stars hopping / bouncing on the gypsy teeth and doesn't come up anymore. I can grab the rope with my hand and pull it tight back into the gypsy teeth and operate the windlass again to pull another foot or 2 of rope before it bounces back out again and the cycle starts over.

Sometimes it will bind up / roll over on itself on the back side of the gypsy where the rope goes into the boat so we have to reverse, drop some line, and try to pull it back up again.

This creates a very long process of pulling the rope up that takes 2 people - one working the windlass control and the other at the bow of the boat constantly resetting the rope into the gypsy.

Once the windlass gets to the chain, it grabs perfectly almost every time. Only once did the chain bind up and I don't recall that it has ever jumped out of the teeth.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Horigan]

Have you confirmed you have the correct size line for the windlass?
Did it work before and now this is new behavior?

 

[ryno1234]

Have you confirmed you have the correct size line for the windlass?
Did it work before and now this is new behavior?

I cannot be certain if it worked before. This is a new boat to me. I've tried using it twice ever. I *assume* it worked at one point since it *kinda* works now. I have not confirmed the rope size required. The boat is in storage so I cannot check the rope size at the moment.

My gut feel is it did work and then something happened to prevent it from working.

 

[cptbill]

It does sound like the line is to small. What size boat and what size is the current line?

 

[ryno1234]

It does sound like the line is to small. What size boat and what size is the current line?

I'll have to check on the line size - the boat is in storage at the moment.

The boat is 24'

 

[alldodge]

Would need to know what model the windlass is. The model will specify what size and type rode is used

 

[Wave34]

I have the exact same problem as you have.
I found that if I press the black plastic finger over the line, it grabs very well.
I also found that when the line piles up in the small compartment the tension is lost on the windlass and it slips.
Since I boat alone sometimes, I bought a wireless relay. I stand at the bow, and operate the windlass while pushing the line farther down and it solved my problem. Band aid, but a good one ;-)

 

[tpenfield]

I had a similar situation with braided line (anchor rode). As the line would stretch under load, the diameter got too small for the gypsy. I believe the gypsy had some wear on it, which did not help matters.

My solution was to go up to the next size line (so from 1/2" to 5/8"). . . problem solved.

Twisted strand line seems to do better as far a grip in the gypsy, but it twists upon itself, making braided line the better choice for windlass use. The problem with the braided line is the diameter reduction under load.

Try the next size up line and see how that works.

 

[racerone]

Read the instructions / manual ?

 

[ryno1234]

Would need to know what model the windlass is. The model will specify what size and type rode is used

I just looked this up, I have a Simpson Lawrence Sprint 400.

It calls for 1/2" Medium Lay (whatever that is) 3 strand nylon rope spliced into some chain (again, the chain works great).

I haven't checked my rope because the boat is still in storage, but I'll check it out next time.

I also read within the manual that the gypsy can get worn. I'm curious if that is the case with mine but not sure how to properly identify that. I'll take a picture when I pick up the boat next.

 

[alldodge]

The lay is the flexibility and wear rating. A high lay will be more stiff and wear less, but will not coil and lay into the locker very easy. Might go to a local marine store and compare new to your older rode

There should be space below the windlass so that the rode has room to hang a bit to help keep the rode stay in the gypsy head. The control arm should have enough spring tension to press the rode into the gypsy

If all the above is in good order then might need to replace the gypsy head. Either that or change to all chain (like mine) but that does put a lot of weight on the bow

 

[Scott Danforth]

https://www.p2marine.com/documents/simpson-lawrence/simpson-lawrence-sprint-400.pdf