Windlass won't pull up rope

A

AnthonyA

New Member
Aug 17, 2010
48
LIS
Boat Info
300 Sundancer 1996
Engines
twin 350 mercs with Aplha drives
The motor runs and releases the rope out but does nothing to pull the rope in. I tried changing the switch with no success, can someone please give me some troubleshooting tips? I tried tracing back the wires the best I could but could not find the fuse.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

1996 300 sundancer
Twin 350 mercs
 
You may need to clarify the problem a bit. Are you saying the windlass does not operate in the up position? or does it just not pull the rope in? I know mine needs a little help sometimes to get started. If the line is loose the drum will just turn, I need to get the Admiral or First Mate to stick their head out the front hatch and give a little tension on the line, and then up she goes.
 
could be bad windlass - if you have 3 wire unit or very likely loose wire or bad solenoid inside rope locker - tap it with small hammer and see if will start working, if it does - replace it
 
if it is a goode windlass, you will need to send it back to goode,get repaired
 
Re: Line slip: I also have a problem with pulling up the line. I either have to go slightly in reverse to keep tension on the line ( if no current to work against) to get it started or have the Admiral hold Her foot on the lever. Its a game between holding enough pressure on the line and too much where it trips the Breaker.
I have also found that soaking the line in Fabric softner for 3hrs in a bucket helps at the start of the Season.
 
Ok I hope this is not insulting to anyone but, Have you tried to tighten the tension on the Windless Spool? There should be a tension adjuster on the windless.. On my 270 SLX and the 280 & 340 Dancers I had you take the provided wrench like tool ( this was usually stored under the windless cover or the anchor locker cover) that is provided and you tighten the spool. Should be an indentation on top of spool that matches the wrench head. Just Crank it tighter and it should tighten down on the rope and grab it easier.

Just a thought.
 
JackMac said:
Ok I hope this is not insulting to anyone but, Have you tried to tighten the tension on the Windless Spool? There should be a tension adjuster on the windless.. On my 270 SLX and the 280 & 340 Dancers I had you take the provided wrench like tool ( this was usually stored under the windless cover or the anchor locker cover) that is provided and you tighten the spool. Should be an indentation on top of spool that matches the wrench head. Just Crank it tighter and it should tighten down on the rope and grab it easier.

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

+1 I like mine hand tight, however I need to retighted it throughout the year.
 
from original post I assumed that windlass motor doesn't spin when he tries to raise anchor - so adjusting clutch will not help.
 
on the goode windlass there are no adjustments to tension that you can make
 
Sorry - long day.... The motor runs and releases rope but the motor does not click, run or have any sort of action when I lift the "up" switch. I confirmed it is not the switch and I did try tapping on the seloniod but receieved no response. It is a Goode windlass. I was hoping to trouble shoot it before sending it for repair. The Good sights states $750 to rebuild windlass Uhg!!!





"The motor runs and releases the rope out but does nothing to pull the rope in. I tried changing the switch with no success, can someone please give me some troubleshooting tips? I tried tracing back the wires the best I could but could not find the fuse.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated."

.
 
do yourself a favor get a better windlass for a few hundred more. i made the mistake of rebuild because i did not want to drill holes at begining of season. should have gotten a rope/chain i would have been happer. i hate having to put out lots of rope to get hooked would use a lot less wth chain
 
Understood and appreciate the advise if I must go that route but I am hoping for the best and a quick fix. Any troubleshooting ideas like where is the curcuit breaker, how to test a selenoid, etc.

Any advise is greatly appreciated. thanks in advance
 
if motor is rolling then things are workin clutch needs rebuild not much else you can do
 
Good has changed the relays to a single sealed unit so the fix is going to be most likely a complete new relay module.

However, if you are working with a windlass that is original from 1996, you really need to send it back to Good and have it serviced. They check and re-lubricate everything and it comes back looking and working like new. Also, they have added a different motor and gear set for the CFD windlass. The motor is a 4 pole motor and the gear set gives you more power and a faster line intake......a very worthwhile investment.

Nobody likes to spend money, but this is money well spent since it will give you a better, easier windlass to use.
 
Oye! mo money - appreciate the advise I will go to the Good site now - thanks
 
What Frank said. You need to put a meter on that thing to see if there's power to the relays and from the relay to the motor. If there is power to the motor, you need a motor. If you have the switch on and there's no power, you need relays.

If there's no power even to the relays, you have a wiring or breaker problem.

BTW, there's no "rope" on a boat. When you bring it aboard, it's called "line". When it's attached to the anchor, it's "rode."

Best regards,
Frank
 
most likely relay (control box) in rope locker went bad or control wires (from dash switch) got disconnected from that box. to test if box is at fault : switch green and blue wires on control box in rope locker - if it still goes down when switch is depressed "up" then box is a problem. if it it goes up when switch is pressed "down" then dash switch or wiring is a problem
 
Thanks gents on my way to the boat tonight for a long weekend so I will try the tips. Thanks
 
I am very please to report back that "boatmailster" was correct and it was the relay (control Box) - thank you all very much for your input and help! Off to Good's site to order a new relay.....

Thanks again!
 
I am having a similar problem. When I push the power on switch for my windlass the anchor goes down and releases line until I turn the power off. If I push the anchor up button it continues to let line out. The only way I am able to retrieve the anchor is to use the hand crank. Momma is getting tired of pulling the anchor up by hand.
 
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