Best Of

Sitting on the bow cushion enjoying a 70 degree Washington day. 

It's a great layout!  Let me know when you start shopping for real.  We've been making some good friends in the Maritimo corporate family who might be helpful.  

Raybo for the win! Thank you sir, for the awesome knowledge!
I got 3 off I just need 1 more nut  but my arm isn’t long enough. 

You have to remove the cockpit refrigerator and you should be able to remove it from there.

So far we've cruised 16 states plus Canada and the Bahamas.  Currently in Hilton Head SC ... yes there's a huge pro golf tournament starting today, and no we aren't golf fans!  We only have one more state to go (NC) and a mere 600 miles before we'll cross our wake in late May.

I can't recall if we have any forum members in the Carolinas.  Too bad @rowboat212 and @Dude_Himself aren't still around.  @PickleRick aren't you down here somewhere?  

@Easybee, you didn't mention the model of the windlass (or boat year/make/model) which may be helpful.  Having said that, agree with @TonyG13 that you definitely want to have fully charged batteries and/or engine running...BUT, it could be that your clutch just needs to be tightened slightly, or something worse; let's troubleshoot:

You didn't say if you can hear/see the gipsy turning or not. If it doesn't turn at all, then perhaps low voltage or other electrical (corroded cable ends, circuit breaker, etc.), but if it's turning but no rode or chain is taken in, then tighten your clutch slightly and see if it changes; go easy on this, over-tightening can negate the purpose of the clutch and burn up your motor. My understanding is that the Horizon 600 came with a clutch tool that magically disappears, but if you don't have one, then this will suffice (or any other 32mm wrench.) I cut it down to a more convenient size with an angle grinder. 

Lastly, see this thread about how the needle bearing can get corroded and replacement makes it like new again. If you're handy it seems fairly easy, just a fair amount of work and a $30 part to "renew" your windlass, assuming that it is even necessary. All of this info is for a Horizon 600, so YMMV. 

The info in that thread was broken up into 3 posts, so I took the instructions and added a highlighted photo to make it easier for me to use when repair times comes. I offer it for download in a convenient PDF file for anyone else who may need it. Big hat tip to @reneechris14 & @rmfriday for all the heavy lifting!

@Dream_Inn , I felt it once on a test flight for a pre purchase inspection on a Gulfstream GV. The Test pilots put the aircraft to its max parameters. Was a little nerve-racking and fun at the same time. I remember at one point looking at the cockpit from the RH #1 passenger seat and all I saw was ocean because we were basically screaming straight down into it, they stalled the aircraft on purpose.

Yesterday I ripped the old poop tank out. Fun stuff.

Changed the oil in both drives. No water in the old oil and no metal filings on the drain plugs so all good!

Also installed a new pickup for the cockpit AC.