Resolving an issue with a new Lofrans Royal manual windlass

[jen1722terry]

If any of you own or are considering this economical little windlass, we thought we'd pass on our experience with a brand-new unit

We installed the unit last week just before leaving from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia for a long trip down the NYC then up to Lake Champlain. We did not bench test the unit when it arrived.

After being forced to anchor with chain in 45 feet of water to get shelter in a blow, we tried to retrieve the anchor with the windlass. We put the handle in the hole in the crank drum and pushed it back and heard a click at the 2 o-clock position. Then we tried to do a return stroke and it would not budge. So we pushed the other way and the handle went to the 3 o'clock position, at which point it was stopped by the cabin roof. Much pulling would not move the handle on the return stroke.


After calls to the Binnacle in Halifax, where we purchased the unit, they said they had not encountered this problem. They referred me to Steve and Jeremy at Rekord, Inc. in New Bedford (US distributors) and they said it was new to them also. They noted, however, that new units can be very stiff on the first few cranks. What may have happened is that it stiffly went to the 2-o'clock position and when we encountered a lot of resistance for the return swing of the handle, the resistance was so high that we tried pushing to the other way, where it went to the 3 o'clock and would not go further or return. At that point we could not get the handle back on due to the cabin top.

Rekord asked if I could find something shorter to fit in the drum as a handle. I had no tubing that size on board, but figured that a deep-well socket would fit pretty close. The issue then became how to get leverage on the socket. Some thought led to me using a rubber mallet as a fulcrum to avoid deck damage and the windlass handle as the lever. Holding the handle at about 70 degrees to the end of the socket allowed me to keep it there. I applied a lot of force, nothing. I applied more, nothing. I put the windlass cover back on, ready to call the Binnacle and arrange for the warranty replacement that they graciously offered to overnight to us.

Then I decided to give it one more try, putting the handle at 90 degrees to the end of the socket, and putting all my weight on it to force the drum to start a return motion. With open hands and thick gloves, I finally heard a click, as it returned to the 2 'o'clock position. At this point I could re-insert the handle and voila, it worked easily and smoothly.

Rekord and the Binnacle advised be that, if the issue recurred, to return the unit under the warranty, all freight paid by them. We'll see, but at least for now, it appears we don't have to avoid deeper water anchorages.

Stuck in Lockport, NS for a second day today at a tiny marina next to the local fish plant, due to a 25-knot header approaching tricky Cape Sable. We have a window tomorrow which should get us to Yarmouth, but we may be there a while for the extended marine is for NW at 25, not the best weather for traversing this infamous bay going NW. It took us 14 hours to traverse in good weather last time and the header should add many hours to that. Jean does not like to sail late at night.

All else about ship and crew are fine. The new deck paint (Kiwi Grip and Perfection) seems to be holding up and we may try the new wood stove today in the cool and damp. Always boat shores to do and friends to write/call on port days. Life is good.

Jenn and Terry

[Bill Goldsmith]

If any of you own or are considering this economical little windlass, we thought we'd pass on our experience with a brand-new unit

We installed the unit last week just before leaving from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia for a long trip down the NYC then up to Lake Champlain. We did not bench test the unit when it arrived.

After being forced to anchor with chain in 45 feet of water to get shelter in a blow, we tried to retrieve the anchor with the windlass. We put the handle in the hole in the crank drum and pushed it back and heard a click at the 2 o-clock position. Then we tried to do a return stroke and it would not budge. So we pushed the other way and the handle went to the 3 o'clock position, at which point it was stopped by the cabin roof. Much pulling would not move the handle on the return stroke.


After calls to the Binnacle in Halifax, where we purchased the unit, they said they had not encountered this problem. They referred me to Steve and Jeremy at Rekord, Inc. in New Bedford (US distributors) and they said it was new to them also. They noted, however, that new units can be very stiff on the first few cranks. What may have happened is that it stiffly went to the 2-o'clock position and when we encountered a lot of resistance for the return swing of the handle, the resistance was so high that we tried pushing to the other way, where it went to the 3 o'clock and would not go further or return. At that point we could not get the handle back on due to the cabin top.

Rekord asked if I could find something shorter to fit in the drum as a handle. I had no tubing that size on board, but figured that a deep-well socket would fit pretty close. The issue then became how to get leverage on the socket. Some thought led to me using a rubber mallet as a fulcrum to avoid deck damage and the windlass handle as the lever. Holding the handle at about 70 degrees to the end of the socket allowed me to keep it there. I applied a lot of force, nothing. I applied more, nothing. I put the windlass cover back on, ready to call the Binnacle and arrange for the warranty replacement that they graciously offered to overnight to us.

Then I decided to give it one more try, putting the handle at 90 degrees to the end of the socket, and putting all my weight on it to force the drum to start a return motion. With open hands and thick gloves, I finally heard a click, as it returned to the 2 'o'clock position. At this point I could re-insert the handle and voila, it worked easily and smoothly.

Rekord and the Binnacle advised be that, if the issue recurred, to return the unit under the warranty, all freight paid by them. We'll see, but at least for now, it appears we don't have to avoid deeper water anchorages.

Stuck in Lockport, NS for a second day today at a tiny marina next to the local fish plant, due to a 25-knot header approaching tricky Cape Sable. We have a window tomorrow which should get us to Yarmouth, but we may be there a while for the extended marine is for NW at 25, not the best weather for traversing this infamous bay going NW. It took us 14 hours to traverse in good weather last time and the header should add many hours to that. Jean does not like to sail late at night.

All else about ship and crew are fine. The new deck paint (Kiwi Grip and Perfection) seems to be holding up and we may try the new wood stove today in the cool and damp. Always boat shores to do and friends to write/call on port days. Life is good.

Jenn and Terry

Good voyage to you, and be sure to stop by Shattemuc Yacht Club later on your way north up the Hudson River. There will be a couple of Dark 'N Stormys waiting at the bar if you ask for me.