2 Anchor/Windlass Questions: Mainship 400

Hi,

I've got 2 questions for the group:

1) Do anchor rollers actually roll?
When I watch the chain/rode come over the roller it just slides over with no rotation of the roller. I've seen others do the same. What is the proper behavior, and does it matter? It seems like it would be less strain on the windlass if it rotated. Do your rollers roll?

2) Lewmar Concept 1 Windlass
Does anyone have knowledge of the maximum anchor/chain weight that this winch can accommodate? The anchor that came with the boat is a Delta FastSet that by scale weights 37 pounds. Originally there as about 12' of chain attached to it. Years ago, I replaced the 12' of chain with 75' of chain, but never gave any consideration to the power of the windlass. It "works", but it always seem a bit underpowered to me. This is coming up now because I am considering replacing the Delta with a 44 pound Vulcan which is yet another increase in weight. I could reduce the chain to 50'. I anchor almost exclusively in about 20' of water or less so I'm not sure if that would be significant savings. Any input on this windlass in regards to suitable anchor/chain weight would be appreciated. I'm waiting to hear back from Lewmar - will post response if it ever comes.

I believe it is a 700W motor.

Thanks

Mine roll. But if there’s less friction of the chain going over the roller than there is in the roller axle interface the roll won’t spin. No big deal as long as it’s not wearing the roller unevenly.

You would think that this would be an easy thing to look up. But apparently not…

I have a rocna 20 (44lb) on our 400 with 75’ of chain. Like you, I seldom anchor in more than 20’, usually less than 10’.
I agree the windlass motor seems a bit underpowered, but it works OK with my setup. I replaced the windlass motor and had the gearbox rebuilt a few years back as the original motor burned up. The new motor seems about the same strength as the original motor (when it was working properly).

I think you can go up some in weight/size over the delta which is the anchor that came on our boat as well. I’m personally very happy with the Rocna.

Our oem roller on the starboard side split, and was contributing to chain twist, so I replaced it with a heavy duty, oversized, grooved roller. The chain comes up much smoother than it did with the oem roller, but I don't think it actually rolls much.

Another upgrade I did that I really like was adding a Mantus swivel. It eliminated most of the chain twist.

The rollers on my dual anchoring system rolled very nicely. I believe they were poly as opposed to rubber. During my refit, I disassembled both and greased the shafts. Each fall at haulout, when I end for ended the chain, I would always spin the rollers, but don't ever remember regreasing the shafts.

Ted

One consideration is where the windlass is powered from. If from the house bank in the engine room, the voltage drop over that distance will have an impact on the amperage draw from the windlass motor. Lower voltage means higher current to run the motor, more heat, less power.
Our windlass is powered from the thruster bank located in the bow of the boat, two Group 31 batteries provide very low voltage drop to the windlass to maximize power.
Our bow roller (custom fabricated aluminum) rolls very well with the all chain rode and Vulcan 25kg anchor.

James

Howie,
Steve Cyr's Stella Blue website is a wealth of info for any MS owners but especially helpful for the 400 owners. Here is his page re anchor rollers.
They do indeed rotate. I have had to replace mine on my 45HT as it split during retrieval one time.

Dougcole said:

I have a rocna 20 (44lb) on our 400 with 75’ of chain. Like you, I seldom anchor in more than 20’, usually less than 10’.
I agree the windlass motor seems a bit underpowered, but it works OK with my setup. I replaced the windlass motor and had the gearbox rebuilt a few years back as the original motor burned up. The new motor seems about the same strength as the original motor (when it was working properly).

I think you can go up some in weight/size over the delta which is the anchor that came on our boat as well. I’m personally very happy with the Rocna.

Our oem roller on the starboard side split, and was contributing to chain twist, so I replaced it with a heavy duty, oversized, grooved roller. The chain comes up much smoother than it did with the oem roller, but I don't think it actually rolls much.

Another upgrade I did that I really like was adding a Mantus swivel. It eliminated most of the chain twist.

Click to expand...

Thanks. This is very helpful as it's the same exact setup. I was going to add the Mantus swivel as well so it's great that you commented on that. I just replaced the gearbox on the windlass this year. I've been using the Delrin rollers as replacement, but next time I need one I may try the Windline mentioned in this discussion. It is a very long run from the battery to the windlass, so I wouldn't be surprised if we are losing performance due to voltage drop - I'm not looking to move batteries to the bow at this time, so will just live with the original setup.

Do you recall what roller you used?

Lewmar says:

The Concept 1 windlass has a safe working load limit of 100lbs and a maximum pull of 900lbs.

That's a large difference between working and max. I'll see what the chain weighs per foot and decide what to do, while also considering Doug's working example of 44 pound anchor and 75' chain. I believe the 8mm G4 chain (5/16) weighs 1.1 pounds per foot) which puts the whole rig at about 130 pounds. In 20 ft of water though, assuming lifting vertically it's only about 66 pounds of anchor and chain - not including extra distance from water to bow roller.

Can't imagine that adding 7 lbs would make much difference. But it sounds like maybe you're underpowered already.

I agree on the delta of 7 pounds not likely being significant, but wanted to go into the project with my eyes open unlike when I added 70 feet of chain and never gave the windlass capacity any consideration at all.

ssurabus said:

Thanks. This is very helpful as it's the same exact setup. I was going to add the Mantus swivel as well so it's great that you commented on that. I just replaced the gearbox on the windlass this year. I've been using the Delrin rollers as replacement, but next time I need one I may try the Windline mentioned in this discussion. It is a very long run from the battery to the windlass, so I wouldn't be surprised if we are losing performance due to voltage drop - I'm not looking to move batteries to the bow at this time, so will just live with the original setup.

Do you recall what roller you used?

Click to expand...

I think I got the windline with the groove. I got the largest diameter I could find that fit the pulpit, my reasoning being that it would make for an easier pull. It may roll, I just haven't really noticed one way or the other.

On an added note, I am a little concerned about finding a new windlass that will fit when it comes time to replace this one as the setup is so specific to the Concept 1, which Lewmar no longer makes. Also, my windlass isn't technically even a concept 1, it is a bit of a Frankenstein with components from two or three different models. I called Lewmar tech support a few years back for some help and they were surprised by what we found. Apparently, Mainship bought a bunch of windlasses all at once that Lewmar cobbled together.

HA....I have the same concern about the coffee maker! Frankenstein not withstanding they say that the V2 is a good replacement (same mounting holes), but I'm not sure if it will fit under the hatch cover. I rebuilt mine to avoid dealing with the rat-hole of trying to do a replacement - especially since it was broken at the time and in the middle of the season.

Ssurabus,
My opinion only.
The roller on the end of the pulpit should roll. Mine does. Otherwise the two pieces, chain and roller will be worn much faster plus the axle may suffer excess wear.
Normally the roller and axle need to be greased only once in a while. One shot yearly or bi yearly. Mine has a small grease nipple for that purpose. THe nipple is set deeply enough into the roller that the actual nipple and chain do not contact each other.
It does not take a lot of grease though..