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Random Quote: I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me to do........
I have the above windlass. Lately, it slips when I try to raise the anchor. It will not lift and stops pulling although does not blow the fuse) at various points. Is there a clutch adjustment somewhere on these to tighten up. Right now, it is basically useless.
Not sure. I do not think so as I have never used it in free fall mode. I press the down button, she goes down mechanically. I press up, she pulls most of the way and then strains and stops pulling after I let go of the button .
If the windlass is still turning but not pulling up the rode, you can probably replace the Gipsy. the ridges on the inside that grip the rode wear down and allow it to slip.
It shouldn't be that difficult. The exploded view of my 400, makes it look fairly simple. I would think if you can change the blade on a skil saw or replace the line on a weed wacker you should be fine.
You might try with Andy in the Vendor forums(Shipyard Island Marine)to see if he can get it or recommend a source. I don't know if WM or BW would have this in the store, or you could check their web sites also.
I'll check but my hunch still tells me that there must be some sort of clutch adjustment that just needs to be tightened. Does anyone know if there is one on this unit?
This is their web site. You will be able to find out what you need there. I have the 400 and the rode was slipping. I changed the gypsy and it works perfect now. It was an easy job.
__________________ Glacier Bay 2670, Twin Yamaha 150 Four Strokes.
Do you have the Sprint 600 or the Horizon 600? Can't tell from the discussion above! The S/L 400 models have plastic gypsies which will wear out in time, slipping at first on the rope part of the rode before they slip on the chain. The model 600 Horzion (horizontal capstan/gypsy) and the model 600 Sprint (vertical capstan/gypsy) both have metal (chromed brass) gypsies.
If you have either model 600 with the metal gypsy, your chances of wearing it out are pretty unlikely. It's much more likely that the clutch is slipping.
Look at the windlass when someone else is pushing the button.
Does the rope and/or chain slip in the gypsy teeth/chain pockets as the gyosy turns, or does the rope/chain stay put in the teeth/pocket of the gypsy while the shaft spins underneath the domed top of the unit?
In the first case, the gypsy is worn out, in the second, the clutch is slipping. Look in your owner's manual to find out how to tighten the clutch. Did your unit come with an auxilliary/emergency handle that also works to tighten the clutch and/or allow for manual free fall operation?
One other issue. Most windlasses have a "pressure finger" which pushes the rope and chain into the gypsy to help make contact and avoid slipping. Find yours and see if it is applying reasonable pressure. If the rope/chain is slipping in the gypsy teeth/pockets, put some more force om the pressure finger and see if the slipping stops. Try to figure out if the pressure finger and its spring need replacement or the gypsy, or both.
Call and talk to (or e-mail) the Simpson Lawrence technical representative once you've done these tests. He will be more than happy to talk you through this, once you have good observations of your windlass upon which to describe the problem and work through the solution.
I have the same windlass on my Whaler. Is your rope and chain the correct size? if the chain is slipping in the teeth the teeth will wear down evan the metal ones. Is your anchor too heavy? I don't think there is a clutch, am I wrong? I have had nothing but grief from my 600. It will help if someone tails the rope as it passes thru the windlass. Good luck.
I suspect I have the 600 Sprint. I believe that the shaft beneath the gypsy is turning while the gypsy stays put on the rode. I do not believe that the owners manual speaks about how to tighten the clutch. Does anyone know?
You should have an orange handled wrench that fits into the top of the windlass.* Try tightening the top down a bit.* The same thing happened to mine and that solved it.* If you need any parts, the best source I found is Performance Yacht.* Their stock is great and customer service even better.* I tried the Simpson Lawrence rep in Huntington and didn't even get a reply.* Here's a blowup of the parts.
One last thing.* If you don't have a straight drop into the anchor locker, the rope bunches up and the same symptons will appear.* You have to manually push the rode down to get it to continue pulling.* It's a royal pain but that's the way*it is.
I think I found thew problem. Two pieces of black plastic, mounted over each other with the same screw, were shot. They were located across from the black plastic arm. Now, I'll try to figure out where to get those parts and how to put them back in, since one seemed to have a plastic loop that went around the gypsy. I'm not sure that was the whole problem but I am sure those two pieces of plastic were mangled. Any further help would be appreciated.
Simpson Lawrence 600 windlass- Slipping 
