Good Windlass help please

[ohsnow]

I have a 1990 Sea Ray SD 350.
Has a Good Windlass.
I have been working with it but not sure things are working right.

I believe it is a CFD 500 rope windlass.
I turn on power.... all good.
I hit unlock switch.... no problem but it just hangs still.
I hit down on toggle and the motor turns... drops rope a bit.... motor turns but anchor does not go down unless you hand feed the line.
When anchhor hits bottom I can back up and due to weight it will pull out line.
Move toggle to lock and nothing locks so I have to ties on cleat of windlass.

When I retrieve, it is so slow.....
I had rope out to remove some kinks earlier and rop seems ok.

Any help or suggestions are welcome.

:smt101

 

[Summer Fun II]

I hit down on toggle and the motor turns... drops rope a bit.... motor turns but anchor does not go down unless you hand feed the line.

On my Benson windlass theres a adjustment to tighten the grip on the rope. :smt001
Maybe yours has a adjustment on it also ??. :huh:.

PS & Edit, I found this about your Good windlass.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]There is a adjustment piece on the side to adjust the tightness of the grip. It will become loose at times. Just spin it in a clockwise direction to tighten it.[/FONT]
[/FONT]

 

[rondds]

ohsnow
The LOCK setting really just locks out the switch (so no one can hit it by accident). To lock the windlass so the rode stops paying out, you have to give the switch a quick ANCHOR UP flick. Now the windlass will secure the rode. If yours doesn't work like this, you have an internal problem. If you do have something wrong, consider a rebuild. You send them the windlass and they'll rebuild it. Check their website or give them a call.
http://www.goodwindlass.com/

http://www.goodwindlass.com/repairservice/repairservice.htm#topofpage

BTW, mine needs to be helped along a bit to get it to free drop. I called them with this question but b/c of the holiday weekend, I could only leave a message. I'll post after I speak to them.

 

[ohsnow]

Thanks for the input.
My up movement is like a foot every 10 seconds. This is why I question proper operation.
Tom

 

[rondds]

Check here... http://www.goodwindlass.com/Products/ropewindlasses/ropewindlasses.htm#topofpage
The retrieval speed for the CFD500, which is what I have (5/8" rope rode), is 50FPM, or 5' per 10 sec. Give them a call. They'll know what your problem is.

 

[fwebster]

From your description of your problem, it sounds like the internal line handling mechanism is worn and needs service or replacement. One foot every 10 seconds means the windlass is slipping and the springs holding the line against the spool need replacement.

Good is very easy to work with and is cost effective. They know how the windlass should function so I find it much easier to send them my windlass and have it serviced than to try to repair it on my own. On a 20 year old windlass that has not been serviced, I would replace all the line handling gear inside. Your windlass will come back looking and operating like a new one.

Good has also made a change in the motor and gear set on the CFD windlass. When you talk to them, ask about the 4 pole motor, faster gear set and enclosed relay module. I made this change 7-8 years ago and the line take up speed almost doubled.

A Good line that does not easily fall free is usually piling up too close to the windlass spool under the deck. The line is drying out with a kink just a few inches below the deck and it is preventing the line from falling free. The next time you anchor out, try pushing the excess line to the aft of the anchor locker so that all you normally let out is all that lays directly under the windlass when you take it up.

 

[Whitenights]

Hi Ohsnow,

I have the same boat, and same swimplatform too and my windlass does the same thing. Will not free drop, and take lots of effort to pull out by hand. Kinks in side and we have to reach in and undo them before it will come out. I have done the fabric softener soak, let it all out without the anchor to untwist but it only helps a little bit. I plan on putting s swivel on it next week to see if that will help with the twists.

I sent mine in Goodlass about 5-6 years ago to get it rebuilt and also got new line, still would never drop very well. It comes up ok, although still slow, but not as slow as yours.

I just wish there was a way to loosen something to let it drop, it is embarassing to have to get up and pull to get it out. My wife can't do it.

Before I would send mine in again I would consider a different kind. Although we have several friends with the 1/2" model and theirs work pefectly.

I would be interested in what you find out. I just emailed Good with my issues and they want me to send it for them to look at it.

Dean

Frank, I will try doing what you suggested too. Problem is we often play out 100-150' but it still may be worth reaching in and spreading it out each time.

 

[rondds]

The Good guy called me back and left a message. You can't seem to get a person over there. Another game of phone tag. He said what Frank W said above regarding the rode not laying flat or getting twisted on itself. I was fine until I turned the rode around this spring. And I let the windlass take up the rode from the deck so it did lay into the locker naturally.