Ugh. Need Windlass help for my 280

tk1973

Hey guys,

so after dropping anchor at the beach today, went to pull it in and nothing. 

I go to the bow and open the locker and see that spool is loose. I go to tighten it and then notice I could pull right out. 

Here’s a pic of the damage. Friggin pain in the a$$ as we are planning a trip for next week  

seeing as how these Horizon 600’s are discontinued can anyone suggest a drop in replacement. And how do I replace it? I didn’t notice any bolts holding it down. 

Or alternatively, is this something that’s fixable? 

Thanks in advance. 

randy56

Take down the mirror on the inside you will see how it is mounted. Look's like the skipper will have to do the anchor the old fashion way next week end. The Lewmar 700 should be a direct swap.

Cableguy Greg

Like Randy stated above, the windlass is mounts are behind the mirror in the cabin. The Lewmar 700 is the direct replacement. You can get it with a freefall option.

tk1973

Thanks gentlemen. 

tk1973

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=1599779

@Cableguy Greg or others I’m assuming this one in the post will work? 

Thought this was a decent price..I’m in Canada and they’re all over $1k here. Ugh. BOAT.

junebug

I'm in Canada as well and bought one at binnacle Marine online. It was the best deal I found and at my door in three days. 

Cableguy Greg

tk1973 said:

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=1599779

@Cableguy Greg or others I’m assuming this one in the post will work? 

Thought this was a decent price..I’m in Canada and they’re all over $1k here. Ugh. BOAT.

Yes, that is the one.

Willhound

Hate to say it but you're looking at a G note at least. I've also had great experiences with Binnacle in Canada. That Defender price is decent even with exchange but their shipping rates to Canada are criminal.

Gregg

700 here this year aswell. You will also have to change rope and chain. If you don't have 1/4 inch chain.

tk1973

@Willhound I thought the same thing. Price was decent even with the exchange. Shipping UPS ground was around $50. 

@Gregg I’m coming from a 600 and think my chain was already 1/4”.  I don’t have calipers here to measure but I’m pretty sure. 

Willhound

@tk1973 if shipping is only $50 that's great! Better than anything I ever saw on their site. Either the piece you showing your pic or the other side will have a letter and number stamped on it. Use that along with the pdf of the Horizon manual to see what your chain and rode is. Manual here:

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.p2marine.com/documents/simpson-lawrence/simpson-lawrence-horizon-600.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwij-_L_37rcAhXly4MKHWNkCmYQFjAAegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw3fyWG_jKsG4jQ7nfyrVqBJ

junebug

I agree with Greg when I changed mine to the 700 I had to change rode and chain.  Yours maybe different though.  I know the shipping is 50$ but they usually charge a brokerage fee to come over the border.  I've got nailed on that before.

tk1973

@Willhound @junebug thanks for the tip. Turns out the Gypsy reads RC 0860 which in your manual says 5/16’s. I guess my chain is 5/16 and not 1/4.  The 700 only comes in 1/4 inch standard. 

Have to make sure it fits right so will look into options. 

Question for all that have replaced a windlass. How the Fack do you wire it up. I just pulled the old one out and there was no way I could get to or even see where the wires from the windlass go to. I could feel some sort of connector block but no way I could reach in there and see or do any work. I just ended up cutting the wires off the old windlass around a foot long to pull it out. 

Havent ordered a new one yet. 

Cableguy Greg

Open up the mirror compartment and the connection is on the starboard side of the compartment on the ceiling.

Gregg

I had to cut and spliz it in,could not get to the connector. Had mirror removed with mirror to see everything and still could not get to it.

tk1973

No shot I can get to the connector. Guess I’ll try and just splice it in 

Cableguy Greg

Worst case, you will have to remove the entire panel at the front of the boat. That seems to be a PITA, so splicing would probably be the best route. Be sure to shrink boot the connections.

junebug

I just spliced mine in no issues