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Post by hoppy on Jan 9, 2015 14:45:27 GMT
My SO40 currently has a Lofans Airon windlass and the base plate has so much wear that the chain sometimes catches and will only get worse, so I need to do something. I could try to source a replacement or perhaps get someone to weld in a new chunk of alu (  ) but I'm more inclined to get a new windlass with a chain counter and can take a chain/rope rode. (then go back to 50-60m chain)  I've hit a snag in my "simple" replace with another Lofrans. The Lofrans X2 only can handle rope in the versions with 8mm chain and the X3 which can handle 10mm/16mm s strand is so much bigger that it may not fit  What other well known and widely available brands should I look at? Lewmar Quick What else? |
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Post by rxc on Jan 9, 2015 15:07:20 GMT
I installed a Maxwell VW on my last boat, and it was wonderful. Much better than my current Lofrans. When the Lofrans dies, it will be replaced by a Maxwell.
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Post by hoppy on Jan 9, 2015 18:21:09 GMT
I installed a Maxwell VW on my last boat, and it was wonderful. Much better than my current Lofrans. When the Lofrans dies, it will be replaced by a Maxwell. I was thinking I would get names of companies I had forgotten, but "Maxwell" had me thinking WTF... I see that they are part of Vetus which is good to know. Thanks |
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Post by rxc on Jan 9, 2015 19:18:17 GMT
Hmmm... I did not know that they had merged with Vetus. I guess that is a plus, given the wide availability of Vetus thruout the world.
The main reason I picked the VW was that I did not want a windlass with a guide into a vertical chainpipe. I wanted a windlass that could handle more than one rode, and when you have a channel on the windlass leading into a chainpipe, it is very difficult to change from one rode/chain to another. I also wanted to be able to handle line, as well as chain, to be able to hoist a dinghy on deck, so the capstan was another plus.
It ran as smoothly as I could ever imagine, with no problems whatsoever.
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Post by hoppy on Jan 9, 2015 20:28:18 GMT
Hmmm... I did not know that they had merged with Vetus. I guess that is a plus, given the wide availability of Vetus thruout the world. The main reason I picked the VW was that I did not want a windlass with a guide into a vertical chainpipe. I wanted a windlass that could handle more than one rode, and when you have a channel on the windlass leading into a chainpipe, it is very difficult to change from one rode/chain to another. I also wanted to be able to handle line, as well as chain, to be able to hoist a dinghy on deck, so the capstan was another plus. It ran as smoothly as I could ever imagine, with no problems whatsoever. I've never bought any Vetus product, but I've always collected their catalog and kept it on board for reference. It would give me more confidence buying know Maxwel is part of them |
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Post by ianpowolny on Jan 11, 2015 8:32:45 GMT
Affinity has a Quick windlass. It seems to work well. Just check they've solved the through bulkhead electrical connection problem - ours corroded out in 6 year. Nice guys to talk to. When we started out we had a combo chain and wrap set up. The windlass is designed for this but we went to all chain in 2012.
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Post by rxc on Jan 11, 2015 14:42:15 GMT
One other thought about the Maxwell VW. The capstan was much better than the one on the Lofrans. When my wife hauls me up the mast with the windlass, she always complains about how the line does not wrap very well around the capstan, and when she lets me down it has a tendency to unwrap. She is not quite ready to become a rich widow yet, so she now doesn't like to haul me up the mast any more because of this. The capstan on the VW did not have this problem. I have tried to fix this by fidling with the lead to the Lofrans, but nothing seems to work, and the line consistently wants to over-ride and unwrap. It might be the size of the line, as well.
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) but I'm more inclined to get a new windlass with a chain counter and can take a chain/rope rode. (then go back to 50-60m chain)
