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Windlass free fall…

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Pascal, Nov 7, 2023.

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  1. Pascal, Nov 7, 2023
    #1
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    One of the lessons to be learned from the beached Viking is that you need to be sure your anchor can free fall if needed and that your crew knows how to do it. Especially important is to release any mechanical locks which may otherwise jam if the clutch and brake are released before the hook, cable etc.

    well… surprise surprise when we tried this morning, our 400 pounder wouldn’t free fall…

    maxwell 4500 series

    so, we pulled the top and the rope capstan and discovered the clutch was seized into the chain gipsy. Took a while to free it. Ended up jamming the anchor against its stops, keeping the hydraulic pressure on briefly while helping it by hitting the clutch with a bar and a hammer.

    not something you want to do in an emergency. Lesson learned, we re now going to use the free fall once in a while to make sure it works.

    second lesson: make sure the clutch release tool, on our case a long heavy alum bar, is easily accessible and not buried under lines and fenders…

    Attached Files:

    RER likes this.
  2. DOCKMASTER, Nov 7, 2023
    #2
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    So when you anchor you always power down your anchor? I have always been in the habit to power down only about 20’ or so until the anchor is in the water then I loosen the clutch and let gravity do the work from there. I always do a controlled fall though with a bit of clutch hold back as I don’t like to let it fall at full speed in case a knot or jamb occurs. But I guess you guys are anchoring far shallower than I am so maybe power down doesn’t take long?
    Capt Bill11 likes this.
  3. Pascal, Nov 7, 2023
    #3
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yes we always power down. We usually anchor in 8 to 15’ of water. It s just easier to hit the switch than getting the clutch tool…. But we re going to start free falling once a month so.
  4. SplashFl, Nov 7, 2023
    #4
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Although I started to get familiar with my Ideal Windless about 2 weeks prior to the beaching of the Viking I was unable to locate a handle for it onboard; ordered one and received incorrect one for the windless model so awaiting the correct reshipped one. Hope we eventually hear the specific cause of the auto fire system failure.
    H.JPG
  5. mapism, Nov 8, 2023
    #5
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    I see that Pascal already answered that, but I was wondering the same.
    In my current boat (with vertical winch and no brake), I also power down just out of laziness, to avoid taking out the handle and play with the clutch.
    But in my previous boat, whose old school horizontal winch had wheels for both the clutch and the brake, I never, ever powered down.
    I just opened the clutch and controlled the descent with the brake, job done.
    Very nice system, I miss it!
  6. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #6
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    The Ideal windless is just a straight piece of straight stock long enough to go through both hole and give you some leverage. Gonna have to try mine which is indeed in a step locker and see if it really works. We always power down as we never anchor in more than 20-22 feet of water mostly less.
  7. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #7
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    IMG_3358.jpeg
  8. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #8
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Found picture on internet. Hope that helps
  9. SplashFl, Nov 8, 2023
    #9
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Thanks for the info. Still waiting for the replacement they confirmed this AM they shipped. Is yours also 110 v. ? Does the the "handle" loosen a clutch or only provide leverage to manually turn it ?
  10. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #10
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Mine is 12 volt. I think it loosens the clutch but to be honest I have owned boat for 5 years and never used it.
  11. SplashFl, Nov 8, 2023
    #11
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Guess we'll both soon learn as it appears the Viking grounding was a "wakeup call" for many. Previous boat had a Good FD windless which provided free drop simply by holding the down switch for about 10 seconds. Problem was it was only for rope which had to be a medium lay so not too stiff to not pay out, and not to soft to be chewed up, so I always used an oversized anchor.
  12. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #12
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    IMG_3359.jpeg
  13. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #13
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    I think this answers your question. If you would like pm me your email and I will send you the pdf of the instructions on operation and maintenance.

    Bill
  14. mapism, Nov 8, 2023
    #14
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Can't be positive on this specific model, but in all other vertical windlass I came across, the handle can do either one or the other, depending on rotation.
  15. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #15
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    I think you are correct. Loosen or tighten the clutch.
  16. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #16
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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  17. LM Viking, Nov 8, 2023
    #17
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Should have sent this part of instructions about the wildcat operation.
  18. MBevins, Nov 8, 2023
    #18
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    I can confirm this, it loosens the clutch for Free fall.
    As to the "handle".. I've found a secondary use for it. I keep it next to my ice maker. Use it to break up the stuck ice. :D
    cleanslate likes this.
  19. SplashFl, Nov 9, 2023
    #19
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Handle arrived. Seven turns and the very top portion unscrews and comes off but no evidence of either free fall or anything else as a result. Got too dark out so will explore again tomorrow.
  20. Pascal, Nov 9, 2023
    #20
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    You re going to pull the line capstan to pull and line the clutch
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