I purchased a used boat last fall and it came with a Lofrans Marlin
Windlass. While out yesterday, I dropped anchor and when it came time
to retrieve it, the windlass would not pull up the rope. It appeared
to turn, but would not actually pull the rope. I pulled it up by hand,
and when it hit the chain part it pulled it in without a problem. I
verified that the windlass is Rope/Chain compatible.

Is there something I am missing, or is something wrong with the unit?

I am new to using a windlass so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
MJK

"King5899" wrote in message
ups.com...
I purchased a used boat last fall and it came with a Lofrans Marlin
Windlass. While out yesterday, I dropped anchor and when it came time
to retrieve it, the windlass would not pull up the rope. It appeared
to turn, but would not actually pull the rope. I pulled it up by hand,
and when it hit the chain part it pulled it in without a problem. I
verified that the windlass is Rope/Chain compatible.

Is there something I am missing, or is something wrong with the unit?

I am new to using a windlass so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
MJK

Not sure about the Marlin model, but on my Lofrans Progress model there is a
spring-loaded metal finger that presses the line against the gypsy for
traction. Sometimes it needs to be sprayed with a lubricant to prevent it
from binding up and not doing its job.

On May 14, 5:28 am, King5899 wrote:
I purchased a used boat last fall and it came with a Lofrans Marlin
Windlass. While out yesterday, I dropped anchor and when it came time
to retrieve it, the windlass would not pull up the rope. It appeared
to turn, but would not actually pull the rope. I pulled it up by hand,
and when it hit the chain part it pulled it in without a problem. I
verified that the windlass is Rope/Chain compatible.

Is there something I am missing, or is something wrong with the unit?

I am new to using a windlass so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
MJK

Is this your windlass?


http://www.marinemegastore.com/produ...-ECS_46202.htm



I find two illustrations for the Marlin, one with a gypsy and a drum
(or capstan) and the other with only a gypsy. I use a horizontal
windlass that isn't self-tailing, and haul the rope portion of the
rode with the drum and then relocated the rode to the gypsy to haul
the chain. (That may not be the preferred process with your Marlin,
and the capstan could be intended for hauling lines associated with
sailing rather than the anchor rode).

What type of rope are you using for your rode? It would seem probable
that you would need a three strand rope to present a sufficiently
"chunky" profile to the gypsy if you are hauling rope without a drum.

On May 14, 10:39 am, "RG" wrote:
"King5899" wrote in message

ups.com...

I purchased a used boat last fall and it came with a Lofrans Marlin
Windlass. While out yesterday, I dropped anchor and when it came time
to retrieve it, the windlass would not pull up the rope. It appeared
to turn, but would not actually pull the rope. I pulled it up by hand,
and when it hit the chain part it pulled it in without a problem. I
verified that the windlass is Rope/Chain compatible.

Is there something I am missing, or is something wrong with the unit?

I am new to using a windlass so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
MJK

Not sure about the Marlin model, but on my Lofrans Progress model there is a
spring-loaded metal finger that presses the line against the gypsy for
traction. Sometimes it needs to be sprayed with a lubricant to prevent it
from binding up and not doing its job.

I had the same problem with a winch made by another manufacturer, a
little WD-40 did the trick.

John

On May 14, 11:09 am, Chuck Gould wrote:
On May 14, 5:28 am, King5899 wrote:

I purchased a used boat last fall and it came with a Lofrans Marlin
Windlass. While out yesterday, I dropped anchor and when it came time
to retrieve it, the windlass would not pull up the rope. It appeared
to turn, but would not actually pull the rope. I pulled it up by hand,
and when it hit the chain part it pulled it in without a problem. I
verified that the windlass is Rope/Chain compatible.

Is there something I am missing, or is something wrong with the unit?

I am new to using a windlass so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
MJK

Is this your windlass?

http://www.marinemegastore.com/produ...-ECS_46202.htm

I find two illustrations for the Marlin, one with a gypsy and a drum
(or capstan) and the other with only a gypsy. I use a horizontal
windlass that isn't self-tailing, and haul the rope portion of the
rode with the drum and then relocated the rode to the gypsy to haul
the chain. (That may not be the preferred process with your Marlin,
and the capstan could be intended for hauling lines associated with
sailing rather than the anchor rode).

What type of rope are you using for your rode? It would seem probable
that you would need a three strand rope to present a sufficiently
"chunky" profile to the gypsy if you are hauling rope without a drum.

It looks identical except it does not have the drum on top, only the
gypsy.

I am going to try some WD-40 tonight.

The rope looks like 1/2" 3 strand, but I will verify later and update.

Thanks for some awesome responses.

MJK

Assuming the rode is properly sized for the gypsy, the gypsy is worn out
from chewing on the chain. Will still grab the chain, but slips on the
rode. Composite gypsy, I presume. Replace with bronze, if available.
Otherwise, just replace with original (if available).
JR

King5899 wrote:
I purchased a used boat last fall and it came with a Lofrans Marlin
Windlass. While out yesterday, I dropped anchor and when it came time
to retrieve it, the windlass would not pull up the rope. It appeared
to turn, but would not actually pull the rope. I pulled it up by hand,
and when it hit the chain part it pulled it in without a problem. I
verified that the windlass is Rope/Chain compatible.

Is there something I am missing, or is something wrong with the unit?

I am new to using a windlass so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
MJK



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