I should give more details on my experience. The windlass quit working, it just barely turned. It was approx 1-1/2 years old. It was purchased for me when I bought the boat as a part of the negotiation but I didn't have a receipt. I called to find out how I could get it repaired. After much run-around and leaving messages(which were never returned), I finally called for the last time and they told me there was an authorized repair facility in Jacksonville. I called them and the person told me to do something before I brought it in. She said to remove the plate/housing over the motor. I did and it was filled to the brim with salt water. She told me there is no warranty on any electrical part. She offered to sell me a motor for $700...this on a $800 windlass.
My beef is that this was advertised as a 3 year warranty with no exclusions(I am sure there is some small print somewhere but I never found it). Second, the product is advertised as "permanent magnetic motor housed in a waterproof, coated aluminum housing." It was obviously not waterproof and the person told me that was my fault and my problem. They even told me it should have been installed in an area where it wouldn't take on water?? What the f***? It's a windlass on the pointy end of the boat. Where was I supposed to mount it?
I was shocked at the stupidity of some of the comments. I called the manufacturer back after speaking with the repair facility and they were rude and kept interrupting me saying they could do nothing, I had to take it to the repair facility. I took it off the boat and threw it away. Will never buy a product from any company owned by Simpson-Lawrence. I don't like getting burned.
Simpson Lawrence Windless 
