[C320-list] Windlass advice

[Albert Kitten]

We removed the shelf and the veneer panel to uncover the lining and the
small access hole. Isolate the winch motor, unbolted and suspended to the
s/b side.
The gear box was fitted dry on our boat and needed to be pulled after
removing the retaining circlip and releasing the top nut. I cut a much
larger access hole in the lining to operate the puller. The veneer covers
it later.
The v ring under the capstain will be stuffed after 25 years im sure and is
important. Bearings, o rings and seals are generic and cheap. There's a
reasonable utube video on overhaul. Fill gearbox with oil before
reinstalling and lubricate shaft. It's a cramped job as you know.
Cheers.


On Tue, 12 Dec 2023, 7:40 am Jack Brennan via C320-list, <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> So I’m looking for some advice from people who have dealt with the
> windlass issue.
>
> I’ve been raising my anchor by hand for the last five years because I sail
> in western Florida and the Keys, where the average depth is 8 to 10 feet.
> But now that I’m 70, I’m thinking I could use a little mechanical
> assistance.
>
> I just took out the trim in the V berth and realized the Maxwell VC 500 on
> my boat is like new. Never been used. Works perfectly. But the gear oil
> presumably is 25 years old and needs to be changed before I experiment with
> it and decide whether to keep it or go for a VW 10.
>
> So, a couple of questions:
>
>
>   *   Does the shelf in the V berth come out, or is it a glued-in
> bulkhead, as I suspect. If it isn’t, how do I get it out and gain more work
> space? I don’t see any screws.
>   *   Is there a way to accurately check/change the oil in the gearbox
> without removing the entire unit? From the manual, I suspect this is a big
> no.
>   *   How do you change the oil? The manual is strangely vague on this. I
> suspect you remove the sight glass after leaning the unit up horizontally,
> but that is only a guess.
>
>      On a positive note, the manual says the capstan will indeed haul in
> short-link chain, and my brief experiment showed that is so with two wraps
> of 5/16. One reason I’m thinking of keeping the VC 500 is that I only use
> 30 feet of chain. The capstan handles my anchor line easily.
>
> Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>