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Random Quote: Most fishing problems are caused by the connection between the boat and the rod.
Here is why one should look in places you don't usually have reason to.
This is an 11 year old Lewmar windlass. Don't know about it's first 4 years of service but I have sure given it a good run for the money. Salt has taken its toll on the motor. Big chunks of rust have been flaking off for the last couple of years. A painting just delayed the end.
Does anyone know how to remove these things? All retaining nuts have been removed. Nothing moves. Logic says the windlass should just pull off the top & the motor just drop off the bottom.
It ain't happning. I'm thinking the SS bolts have 'welded themselves to the alloy frame of the motor assembly. I have not employed violence yet but short of any ideas, the hammer & coal chisels are coming out next.
Doug, I'd get a can of PB Blaster and spray it down good and let it soak, then get the hammer. I've used PB Blast on exhaust manifold bolts alot of times. Works miracles.
It looks like one of your studs is bent, putting it in a bind. Unless it's camera angle.
Get a bigger hammer.
I learn something new every day- here I allways thought it was "cold chisel"
Well, the driveshaft from the gearbox up to the windlass has to either have splines or a keyway to lock the two together. I'd bet your problem is the shaft connection. I work with problems like that all the time with salt spreaders on snow removal equipment. I have the option of a oxy acyl torch which usually gets the job done. You don't seem to have that option. If the whole unit is being scrapped, I'd use the sawzall method and cut right thru the driveshaft to separate the 2 pieces. I can't tell from your pictures, but is the driveshaft exposed in the bracket area where the bolts go thru? If so I'd cut thru those brackets and right on thru the driveshaft, then the lower unit should drop away and the windlass should pull free. Or you could try and sneak your sawzall blade between the underneath of the fiberglass deck and the lower unit and cut the driveshaft there.
Thanks for the advice guys. I don't have a sawzall & I don't think I could get it in there if I did. Nothing likes to be hit. I sprayed some stuff on there this afternoon to let it soak. Can't get to the top of those bolts. They are under the gypsy.
Tried to Email Lewmar. It seems they do not like to talk to their customers directly. For service you follow links to a regional distributor. Bermuda is neither Carribean nor US so I tried England (Bermuda is a British colony) & sent pics there too. Waitng for a response.
Tomorrow the violence & name calling begins. I don't care if I destroy it. Planning on ordering one from Defender & give it a good painting before installation.
Good luck Doug. I'm taking notes so I dont deal with the same thing 10 years down the road!
Look on the bright side - it's gonna be 5degrees tonight w/ 40mph winds here probably a little warmer in Bermuda.
Greg aka mymojo
__________________
1967 BW Nauset w/ 88SPL Johnson
Location: Quebec, Canada and Pirates Cove, OBX, NC
Posts: 17,813
Re: A look in the hole
The top part above deck looks OK ? ? ? ? ?
If so I would try disassemble the gear casing and drop the gear casing . . . that should leave the shaft exposed that turns the top assemble . . . that way you could just but a new motot, and if needed repair the gear casing
I had the exact same problem with another brand. Unfortunately, it was only 2 years old. The manufacturer builds their windlass with dissimilar metals and the galvanic corrosion welded the two parts together. I talked to the manufacturer for a couple weeks and tried everything they suggested. In the end, I used a gear puller to remove the shaft and cut the two parts apart with a hacksaw blade. It took less than an hour but the housing was destroyed. Needless to say, the manufacturer was not happy about replacing it under in warrantee but they finally did. I soaked the replacement in T-9 before assembly. Good luck with your dilemma.
Hey Doug - three steel wedges and drive them in between the undermounted motor and the underside of the deck. I suspect that it's the same as getting the biatch steering wheel of it's shaft.
I sure hope the top isn't 5200'ed in place!
Now remember that your too old to have a pregnant boat so go easy on the verbs when working in that hole...
A look in the hole 
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