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Windlass replacement

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Beau, Jul 31, 2020.

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  1. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Does any one have an opinion on the Muir brand of Windlass. My 'ole Simpson Lawrence Sprint has seen it days - motor is shot among other thing on this 22 year old unit. SL is out of business as you all know.

    50', 30 ton boat would be its carrier.

    thx
  2. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    If everything else is good, just take the motor into an automotive starter repair facility. They'll fix you up. That's all these are
  3. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Bought a MUIR for my sailboat, took it back, the chain kept slipping on the gypsy. :(
    (Yes, it was the correct size chain)
  4. SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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    I’m pretty sure SL bought Lewmar and assumed the name, so Lewmar might be helpful. I also got great advice and parts from Florida Rigging.
  5. Dan balmer

    Dan balmer Member

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    Hi Beau. Went thru this on my Post 50 last season by removing the unit and disassembled the whole thing and found seized main bearing and failed needle bearing which I got at local bearing shop along with shaft seal which is what allowed salt water into the gearbox to destroy it in the first place. This unit should be removed and seal replaced every 5 yrs in my opinion and the gear box regressed and reinstalled. The motor on mine was fine. It was the gearbox that had jammed up. Anyway this was a lot of work by me with a lot of patience in the use of the right tools. My boat is a 2000 so your unit needs work. I spent only about 500$. But it was a lot of work! The new unit will also come made out of stainless. The old unit is chromed bronze that is tired looking.
  6. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Did that about 8-10 years ago. The units looking tired. By the time I get it rechromed, bearings etc changed while its open, new motor, I'm inclined to an upgraded replacement?
  7. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    I head ya.
    I have an Ideal, I sent it back to them, they overhauled it, re-chromed it . It came back like a new unit. But that's Ideal.
  8. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    I had a Muir on my previous boat. If memory serves it was the Cheetah model. A horizontal unit with a rope/chain wheel. I was unable to ever get the rope to grab on the wheel without a bunch of hassle. The chain pulled in fine though. On my current boat, I installed a Maxwell 8 years ago and have been happy with it. When I first got it Maxwell had a casting issue with the wheel and the chain would slip. They replaced the wheel and it has been working great ever since.
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I m pretty sure the 70 footer I used to run had a Muir Never had a issue with it and we anchored an lot

    the boat I run now has a pair of Maxwell 4000s. My beef with them is that the chain stripper is a little weak and bends easily. It s bolted to the hawse pipe... in theory it s an easy fix but when the stripper bands it jams on the chain and the hawse pipe gets damaged. Problem is that Maxwell believed bolts are ugly so to replace the $500 hawsepipe you have to pull the whole windlass as the bolts are hidden underneath. Not a fun job. First time it happened I had holes drilled into the deck and we used longer bolts so that the hawsepipe can be removed without pulling the windlass

    still... at $500 a piece I have given up on the stripper and found that with marine grease on the Gypsy the chain rarely get stuck.
  10. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Thanks folks for your input.
  11. Wow57pro

    Wow57pro New Member

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    I would be interested in the gearbox if you decide to junk it.
  12. leeky

    leeky Senior Member

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    This could be good, folks. Two lawyers possibly agreeing to something. You guys have to let us watch.:D
  13. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    WOW, I'm going to be replacing the unit down in NC this winter season. Top to bottom. The entire unit is available to you. Leeky probably doesn't realize it's the clients who drive the whole process - and have come to the table/court with TV series expectations. Unencumbered, lawyers more often than not can get to the bottom line very quickly.
  14. Wow57pro

    Wow57pro New Member

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    I appreciate your offer! Please keep me in mind when you remove it.
  15. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Will do send a PM to me and I will save it with your contact info.
  16. leeky

    leeky Senior Member

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    Guilty, as charged!:oops:
  17. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    You are hereby granted a Beau-pardon. Absolutely worthless except on this thread