After years in a harsh saltwater environment, it finally happened. The 25 year old anchor windlass (the electric motor driven device that brings our anchor & chains up and down) started making strange, wholly disconcerting crunching noises, then it stopped working completely, all happened while deploying the anchor at our last anchorage; I had to use my miniscule muscles to hauled in the 55 lb anchor and 75 ft of chains by hand. It wasn’t easy.
We knew there’s a 10 days window where we don’t need to anchor, so we have some time to assessed the situation and solve the problem.
Without the boring analysis details, the bottom line is that we decided to replace it with a new one rather than trying to get obsolete replacement parts from eBay or having to rely on boatyards who are 2-4 weeks out in queues.
Replacing a new windlass doesn’t mean the problem is instantly solved. The old model no longer exist and we can’t find an exact replacement model. A different one will have to do but it does comes with challenges, mostly mounting issues. The manufacturer suggested Lewmar V2 but it won’t necessarily fit the existing mounting. We have no choice but to take our chances and make modifications as necessary. On top of that, the job is to be done while we’re on a mooring.
Removing the old windlass wasn’t bad except I needed to become Houdini and twist my body into a unimaginable positions to crawl into a tiny 3′ x 5′ chain locker. From the template that came with the unit, I drew up what I needed for the new mounting base and headed to the nearby West Marine store. After few days of sweaty hardwork and many curse words, cutting up the marine lumber and stainless metals, adding new circuit breaker, solenoid and new electrical cables, the new anchor windlass was installed on deck and seems to work well without load. A true field test is still required. We won’t declare victory until that’s done.
We celebrated the job well done by going over to our neighboring boat “E Sea Ryder”, an Oceanis 45′ sailboat for “Sun Downer” (boat term for cocktails at sunset). We met the owner Cass, an incredible woman who sails single-handed after her husband passed just 6 months after they purchased the boat and decided to continue their unfinished dreams by herself. There were other very accomplished sailors Mike (Mason 42) and Phil (Saga 40) joined us for great conversations and sea stories. We came back to the boat felt blessed by having met these wonderful people who gave us invaluable ideas and advice for traveling to the Bahamas.
Some heavy weather is forecasted for the next few days, we’ll be heading to Hilton Head Island tomorrow and hibernate there until the bad weather passes through.
It wouldn’t be an adventure without trials and tribulations
Hi Ryan, I guess you are correct … one of my favorite parts of each day is; “Picture of the day”! Sending you all love , hugs and kisses🥰🤗😘
Well, it is a boat after all! Glad you’re hunkering down, hopefully this is the last storm of the season!
Hi Kathy, So glad you are following us. 🤞🏻 this is the last big storm. Don’t you just love retirement😘 Hope all is well and you are enjoying the grand kids.
Well let’s see, week 3 I went to Mexico. I’m going to Maui in January, Vegas Feb/Mar. Cabo again in April and so on. Florida took a real beating but you should be Ok. New Grandbaby coming March 31st ‘ish. Baby girl. I’m doing ok! 🙂
Wow Kathy great to hear all is going really well! 🥰
wow! Yay Jimmy! you are amazing! hope all is well now with the anchor! Enjoy your trip, safe sailing. love Patti
Hi Patti, I felt the same way.. the true test will be next time we anchor⚓️. I’ll be sure to let you know how we make out. Thanks for checking in on us 😘
Hi Claudia and Jimmy, hope you are still enjoying smooth sailing and having lots of fun!! Hope the anchor situation is solved. I have complete faith in Jimmy and you in keeping everything sailing smoothly . Have a blast! Can’t wait to see pictures. I found Ryan’s osh gosh bib striped pants he wore as a bs y. I have been saving them all these years for when he became a dad. I hope the will still fit his daugther, I know they grow so fast . I need his address so I can mail them to them. Loved seeing the pictures! Ryan snd Teddy are all grown up!! Love Patti
Awwww Patti…that’s the sweetest thing ever.. I don’t even have any baby clothes.. you are my hero .. best second mom anybody could ask for 💕💕💕
I will send you a text with his address and a picture of a sweater vavo made before passing on for Ryan’s baby. Love you guys 😘😘😘
Twenty five years of service from your old windless is pretty good! And the reason it lasted so long is probably because you guys used it all the time.
Oh, I remember those days of crawling around the bowels of Haven, installing this or fixing that. But the best part of it all was to solve the problem and successfully completed project.
We love your daily narrative and photos. Be safe and enjoy the adventure.
Dennis
Hi Dennis, Thanks for putting the right perspective on the situation to make things better. You would definitely understand the not-so-fun task of crawling inside the dungeon and slaying the dragon with wrench, bit and screwdrivers. I also enjoy your comments very much as well.
Wow that sounds like a big job and and a lot of hard work. I hope it all works out and you don’t have to be Houdini again! Sounds like you are meeting some wonderful people along your journey. Looking forward to seeing pictures from Hilton Head.
Hi Toni, Jim can now come with us to yoga classes … He stretched all around just like Gumby, at times he even turned green like him too😜 Hilton Head is beautiful, lots of great bike paths too😘
Good job Jimmy! The new windlass looks great. Hopefully it will do its job. Claudia showed me the tight quarters you had to work in to replace that. You deserve a medal for “ Best sailing mechanic/contortionist!
Happy journey’s. Let me know how it works.
Thanks brother Gil for the kind words. My whole body is really sore from all the climbing in and out of the anchor locker. I’ve been taking extra doses of Ibuprofen but it doesn’t seem to be helping much. You’ll be the first person to know once we sea-test the winch.
Good luck 🙏
We’re praying that you have a safe journey. We’re making some preparations at our trailer. Will probably go up to our daughter’s house until the weather settles down.
Hi Maria, So glad you are following us. We just arrived at a Hilton Head, SC and will stay at the marina till the storm passed. I’m glad you will be taking shelter at your daughters home. 🙏🙏 The storm will pass quickly and do very little damage. Be safe and keep us posted . 😘