[C320-list] Windlass question

[sail-ability at sympatico.ca]

That winch is no longer manufactured and the gypsy kit no longer available. The previous owner of my boat was able to snare a gypsy kit and have it installed. Works great but doesn’t help U. 
I’ve seen the winch drum taped up with heavy duty rubber (truck tire inner tube) to help grab the chain rode. Works OK but not ideal. I’d stay with the nylon rode and 30/40 feet of chain. That’s how that windless was designed to work. If you’re insisting on all chain rode, get another windlass. There R manual ones which work well. 
JohnM
1999#574

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 23, 2020, at 2:15 PM, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> I have (I think) a Maxwell VC500 windlass on our '98 C320. Pretty sure it is original to boat??  If I remember correctly, there were some posts that there are no replacement capstans that will handle chain?  I would have to replace the entire winch??
> The current capstan is smooth and will not take chain.  I am looking to move to all chain rode (thinking about) and would want to use the winch more.
> Any thoughts?
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> Thanks,
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> 
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net C (919)- 819-9794