Windlass free fall…

Suspect may have to spray & soak with some type of corrosion freeing product as nothing was budging after unscrewing the top cap. Starting to suspect this windless is not like the Good brand Windless on previous boat that would free fall using the switch on the bridge but that one had no loss of power feature nor also take chain, however it didn't require 110 v. Anyone know who might manufacture the "perfect" windless ??

The clutch area on these ole windlasses are near machined surfaces tightened together.
After years (many?) untouched and under compression, there is amazement they just don't come apart and dispense chain?
Shame on all of us.

BTY, our newer Lofrans htz windlass I do consider near perfect.
Just surprised the checking account a bit when we went there.

Removed the cap and soaking in WD-40 as nothing is turning or lifting nor able to find any manual. Will mess with it later after electronic tech completes other work. No idea how long since anyone touched it but vessel is 1995 so probably since then.

I think on your model, the top of the clutch is spline-keyed to the shaft. This could be a seized concern along with the clutch contact surface areas stuck together.

Remember the magic trick when 2 plates were held together (face on face) with a drop of spit? You could not pull them apart.
Now add years of patina.

I remember on a vertical that seized, I let the anchor out a few feet, loosened the clutch nut, stood on the pulpit lifting the anchor by hand a couple of feet and letting it go.
The second drop did it and the clutch was free.

I would try this before the hammers and blue-tip wrenches come out of the shop.

After removing the top cap I found part of a little broken off screw lying in there. How that became broken who knows but if it needed to be removed before lifting off the Capstan someone prior to me must have been at it. I've got a large gear puller that may be called upon but certainly will want a diagram on it first but on the other hand, total destruction might be a blessing to move ahead with total replacement to modern model.

Only found their Horizontal one.

This should be in the Viking on the beach the beach thread, but it is locked..

Add this diagram to the Ideal instructions. Just found it. I think it matches the numbers on the instructions.

Thanks for the Ideal Windless info. guys. Will get back on it over this weekend.

Schaefer sold me the "handle." Got it somewhat apart this afternoon and was able to remove the broken section of the little screw. Not sure if I got enough apart to get to the clutch but do the two parts that were together circled in red need to be polished up ? Surprising to me neither part was frozen and once I removed the chain, lifted right off.

Now, The chain sprocket should separate from the bottom face and come up & off.

Yes, got it all off and after some cleaning up, light grease on bottom of chain wildcat ordered new wildcat to accommodate new larger stainless 3/8 G-4 chain, also ordered, as the old was 5/16's with unknown strength rating & the charts showed on the edge for vessel size and in this case, I believe more is better. Been yet another learning experience.

You'll be happy with the end product.
Ideal are a great windlass.

Good post. Your Ideal is the one I would up grade to, but after reading all of this, I will stick to my simple Ideal , one direction turn, capstan only unit. I have the old fashion anchor set up with 5/8'' braided nylon rope and 15' chain rode. Mine is a ''free fall only'' set up. It's always is ready to drop. Plus it keeps the old kid in shape.

I hope you both got your units working well again.