Maintenance; Dismantling Procedures - Lewmar V1 Owners Installation, Operation & Basic Servicing Manual

3. Operating your windlass
As a prudent act of seamanship, anchor recovery operations
require the undivided attention of skipper and crew to prevent
personal injury or damage to the vessel.
In a typical anchor recovery situation, the windlass will pass
through a number of operational phases.
3.1 Safety fi rst
To avoid personal injuries ensure that limbs, fi ngers and clothing
are kept clear of the anchor rode and windlass during operation.
Always ensure that there are no swimmers or divers nearby when
dropping your anchor.
• NOTE: Electric motors can get hot during (and for
some time after) use - DO NOT touch the motor
gearbox!
3.2 Use of clutch
To tighten the clutch - using the winch handle supplied, rotate the
gypsy drive cap (22) clockwise, this will grip the gypsy, effectively
locking it to the windlass geartrain.
To slacken the clutch - turn the gypsy drive cap anti-clockwise,
this will free the gypsy allowing it to turn independently of the
windlass geartrain.
Always remove the handle after use.
3.3 Letting go under gravity
Always check the fallsafe pawl (32) is disengaged from the gypsy
and held clear of it by the fallsafe lever (34).
Insert the winch handle into the gypsy drive cap (22) (top cap
lock nut (24), manual recovery version) and turn it clockwise to
ensure that the clutch is tight. Release any independent anchor
locks. If it is safe to do so, pull back on the clutch lever until the
anchor and rode begin to pay out. Control the rate of decent of
the anchor by pushing the clutch lever forwards. When suffi cient
rode has been paid out, fully tighten the gypsy drive cap once
again.
3.4 Letting go under power
Release any independent anchor locks.
If it is safe to do so, let go under power by operating a 'Down'
control. Release the control when suffi cient rode has been paid
out.
3.5 Lying to anchor safely
Vessels at anchor will snub on the rode and this can cause slippage or
apply excessive loads to the windlass.
For maximum safety and to prevent damage, the fallsafe pawl MUST NOT
be left to take the entire force from the anchor rode while at anchor. The
rode should be made fast directly to a bollard, sampson post or cleat.
3.6 Hauling in
Untie the bridle or replace the rode in the gypsy.
If it is safe to do so, operate an 'Up' control.
The fallsafe pawl (12) does not need to be disengaged during
retrieval as it will act as a ratchet. When the anchor has been
retrieved and is stowed in the bow roller, the fallsafe pawl should
be left engaged in the gypsy to prevent accidental deployment of
the anchor whilst underway.
10 V1 Windlass
REMEMBER - The fall safe pawl DOES need to be
disengaged from the gypsy before the anchor can be let
go again.
Having retrieved the anchor, ensure it is independently secured
to prevent its accidental release.
3.7 Manual recovery
Turn the power off at circuit breaker. Engage fall safe pawl
(12), in the gypsy. Undo the manual recovery top nut (24) by
approximately half a turn using the winch handle. Place the winch
handle into the bi-square in the gypsy cap (25) and wind clockwise
to haul in rode. When the rode is fully hauled in it should be made
fast directly to a bollard, Sampson post or cleat.
Always remove the handle after use.
3.8 Operating tips
When anchoring, it is best to power the rode out, allowing the
vessel to take up stern way before full scope is let out. This helps
prevent the rode from becoming tangled on top of your anchor
on the seabed.
To aid anchor recovery, we recommend that the vessel's engine
be used to assist by moving the vessel towards the anchor. We do
not recommend that the vessel be motored over and beyond the
anchor, as this can cause the rode to damage your topsides.
As the anchor approaches the stemhead, the last few feet of rode
should be inched in by judicious use of controls to avoid damage
to the vessel.
Having retrieved the anchor, ensure the fall safe pawl is engaged
in the gypsy to lock it and prevent accidental deployment of the
anchor whilst underway.
When mooring stern to, at a suitable distance from the jetty,
deploy the anchor to prevent the bow from swinging. Gently pay
out the rode under the infl uence of the stern way of the vessel
as it approaches the jetty. Make fast your vessel with warps from
the stern.
3.9 Joining rope to chain
When splicing rope to chain, select a length of chain that will
avoid having the splice positioned in the gypsy when the anchor
comes over the stemhead. Furthermore, ensure that the splice
is no tighter than the rope. A hard splice is not desired.
• With whipping twine or similar, seize your rope 200 mm (8")
from the rope's end and unlay the strands.
• Pass one strand through the chain link from one side and the
other two strands from the opposite side. Remove seizing
and complete a back splice in the normal manner for four
full tucks.
• With a hot knife pare down the three strands by one half of
their diameter and continue with two further tucks.
• With a hot knife, carefully melt the ends back into the line.
Because of wide variations in rope type and construction
some experimentation may be required.
• Whip the line with permanent whipping at the beginning of
the taper.
• The above method of joining is designed to minimize chafe
between the rope and chain but as a matter of prudent
seamanship the splice should be checked regularly and
remade if there is any evidence of wear.
g. 3.9-1

4. Maintenance

4.1 General recommendations
Isolate the windlass electrically, before carrying out any
maintenance work and tie rode off to a suitable secure point.
• After the fi rst two or three anchor recoveries, check the
mounting nuts to ensure that the windlass is still fastened
tightly to your deck, as it should now be bedded-in.
• Regularly wash down the exterior of your windlass with fresh
water.

5. Dismantling procedures

Isolate the windlass electrically, before carrying out any
maintenance work.
5.1 Gypsy replacement
Remove the two socket head cap screws (34) that retain the chain
pipe cover (11) using a 5 mm Allen key and lift the chain pipe
cover off. Remove the rode from the gypsy. Remove the gypsy
drive cap (22) anti-clockwise using the winch handle.
Remove the washer (5) and top cone (15). Pull the control arm
(23) back to clear the gypsy (31) and remove the gypsy assembly
from the unit. To replace the gypsy assembly, reverse the above
procedure. Grease the threads of the chain pipe cover and stripper
screw prior to re-assembly.
5.2 Manual recovery gypsy replacement
Remove the two socket head cap screws (34) that retain the
chain pipe cover (11) using a 5 mm Allen key and lift the chain
pipe cover off. Remove the rode from the gypsy. Remove the
manual recovery top nut (24), anti-clockwise using the winch
handle. Remove the manual recovery gypsy cap (25) and washer
(4) together.
Remove the washer (5) and top cone (15). Pull the control arm
(23) back to clear the gypsy (31) and remove the gypsy assembly
from the unit. To replace the gypsy assembly, reverse the above
procedure. Grease the threads of the chain pipe cover and stripper
screw prior to re-assembly
5.3 Control arm replacement
This should be carried out with the gypsy (31) removed as
detailed above. To remove the control arm (23). Unscrew the
• Examine all electrical connections for possible corrosion,
clean and lightly grease as necessary.
• Anchor rode splice should be checked regularly and remade
if there is any evidence of wear.
• The gypsy should be examined on a regular basis, because it
is a high wear item. The gypsy is designed for short scopes
of chain and will last longer if properly used.
• At least every six months - Check mounting studs and nuts
for condition and tightness.
• The bearing is self lubricating and should not require
servicing.
control arm shoulder screw (8) using a 4 mm Allen wrench and
remove screw. Remove the control arm (23) and torsion spring
(7) from the base plate. To replace the control arm, reverse the
above procedure.
5.4 Motor gearbox maintenance
Regular visual inspection of the unit, electrical connections and
cables is required. Repair/renew cables if damage is evident.
Re-grease the terminals as required.
If corrosion is evident on the motor or gearbox, clean and repaint
with a suitable marine grade oil based enamel paint.
Annualy- Remove motor and cover and blow (use face mask) dust
away using foot pump or similar.
5.5 Fall safe pawl replacement
This should be carried out with the Gypsy (31) removed as
detailed above. Turn the fall safe lever (18) so it is horizontal.
Remove fall safe shoulder screw (28) using allen wrench. Lift
off fall safe pawl (12). Remove fall safe spring (29). Replace new
parts by reversing the above procedure.
5.6 Fall safe lever replacement
Turn fall safe lever (18) so it is horizontal. Remove socket screw
(33) using allen wrench. Remove fall safe lever (18) & spacer (19).
Replace new parts by reversing the above procedure.
V1 Windlass
GB
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