Rebuilding Our Forty Year Old Windlass | ep 214

[@lawrencebarber9113]

Really nice to see your daughter get involved in boat/reality . That's what boating is all about. 50%fun 50% work involvement. See did it with natural enthusiasm. Nice to see. Getting close to adventure time?

[@Spoondrifters]

We are getting close. They get tired of the near constant projects but enjoy helping dad.

[@andymarshall2201]

When Libby was hiding in the forepeak and as she was getting herself out and you said “oh to be a child again” I muttered exactly the same words at exactly the same time as Tod!

[@Spoondrifters]

Too funny! Thanks for commenting Andy.

[@richardrosenthal6073]

Nothing crude there, it proves your concept well. Cool mock-up !

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you.

[@thomasvincent7393]

I have watched all of your video's. Your doing a great job, all of you. I love your kids too. I would like to see more of your son though.

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks for sticking with us Thomas. We are happy to have you. We are trying to get him on camera more, but he is camera shy. We will get there though.

[@chrisskillett8218]

Fabulous job you guys and gall’s 👍🇬🇧👍😂

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks

[@theraboinfrancislawfirm5699]

Great stuff as always...thanks!

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you for watching!

[@andersragnarsson]

Your Vlogs has improved over time, I commented in a negative way some time ago but I'm still watching and enjoying your learning curve. Not only the Vlogs also your boat work and problem solving has improved, keep it up! 😎

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you so much. We are glad you have stuck with us. Don’t worry about a past comment, we try to use them to help us improve. We are glad you took the time today.

[@coyote1849]

My vote is for gypsy, but that's just a wildcat guess😉. I try to keep a certain pair of shorts for both painting and epoxy to keep my wife happy; in cooler weather, it's the coveralls.

[@Spoondrifters]

We were both right. It is both a gypsy and a wildcat. I love how manufacturers name things.

[@jasongrinnell1986]

And another great video. Cheers

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks for watching.

[@jasongrinnell1986]

@@Spoondrifters well you know it. Y’all are cool as hell and besides y’all are in my vacation spot. Lol

[@maryjnorwood3962]

Nice! Good to know a forty year old windlass still works. (We have no windlass, but are currently searching for something we can afford.) Great video! 💕💕💕

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you. Good luck in your search.

[@svdukesonsunday1275]

Todd you’re awesome. I feel like you should run the engine when using the windlass. The alternator amperage is better to use than draining your batteries.

[@Spoondrifters]

That would be so nice, but don’t forget we have an electric motor, with no alternator.

[@ThoughtfulWander]

Great episode! Stay safe and keep rolling Spoondrifter crew! 👍👍👊👊

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you

[@ThoughtfulWander]

@@Spoondrifters 👍👍

[@perrygarrod5958]

So why swap the side you bring up your anchor, and have to get new rollers made if you get the right chain size or 'swivel', which should both stop the chain from jumping?

[@Spoondrifters]

True, it should work on either side, but starboard fits better.

[@catskillsdreaming5168]

I'm late to this, but thanks for a great video. I recently acquired a Gulfstar 44 with the same windlass. Now I'll have your guidance as i take it apart. 🙂👍

[@Spoondrifters]

Awesome! Gulfstars are great boats!

[@davidmedley9652]

Get a common size chain and gypsy to match. Easy to replace or extend chain in foreign places.

[@Spoondrifters]

Good idea. How common is G4 around the world?

[@davidmedley9652]

I think G4 relates to the material. High carbon steel is a lot stronger so you can use a lighter chain for the same load. In Australia a lot of G4 3/8” chain is used.

[@davidmedley9652]

Sorry forgot to mention its usually short link!

[@Designz_by_dd]

I have a problem with my husband wiping the putty and cocking on his close, drives me bananas. See you guys next week.

[@Spoondrifters]

Really they are just so convenient, right there within easy reach. But it drives Tammy crazy too.

[@CheersWarren]

Jumping chain is a miss match of chain and Gypsy or one or both is worn. Gypsy if available will be expensive! You might be able to temporarily space out the groove in the bottom of the to adjust the fit but what with ? and real Bush fix! Cheers Warren

[@andersragnarsson]

Your Vlogs has improved over time, I commented in a negative way some time ago but I'm still watching and enjoying your learning curve. Not only the Vlogs also your boat work and problem solving has improved, keep it up! 😎

[@Spoondrifters]

New gypsy is $700.

[@emilybradford8272]

Good afternoon just finished your episode you've come a long ways and are beginning to reap the benefits of all that work. Have a question in regards to the name of the material you used for your Bimini. Would like to know the name of the material and where it was purchased from. Safe sailing !!

[@Spoondrifters]

Emily it is called Expanded foam PVC. We bought it at a local plastic shop here in town. They bright it in from San Antonio. You should be able to find a local supplier as well.

[@tartansailor]

My bow roller also has this pivoting thing and it works great. I guess that with the price of chain, it was cheaper to replace the gipsy…

[@Spoondrifters]

I’m hoping to get the pivoting thing built sooner than later, and yes the gypsy is cheaper than the chain. The nice thing is that owning both if I get a really good deal On the other chain down the road I have both gypsies.

[@daveamies5031]

@15:10 I guess that's cheaper than surgically adding gills 🤣 (not sure gills would work anyway, we haven't evolved that way)

[@iainlyall6475]

no, we devolved that way. remember, the egg heads say we came out of the water :-)

[@Spoondrifters]

Yes and I think gills might cause stuff to Leak all over the dinner table, so not great for having company over.

[@lindavan7497]

⛵⛵⛵

[@Spoondrifters]

😍

[@over-there]

wildcat is for rope, gypsy is for chain. You got it, the gypsy(chain wheel on the windless) must match the chain. Both specs must match. It didnt look like the windless had trouble getting the anchor over the roller. I would see how different chain or gypsy wheel effects it. Then decide on bow modification. Its a nice modification and looks like it may ease the pressure on the windlass. Question is, how is it going to behave when the chain is running over it. Maybe more of an L shape than a V. That way the back being a little longer than the front(from center), that the chain will hold it down till the pressure of the anchor gets there. You really have to research before buying chain. Even the major brand has chain that will go bad quick and it is expensive. And they also make the best chain. From watching videos they say you must scrutinize the specs. But also check the feedback from cruisers in saltwater. Couldnt tell from the specs alone from the good and bad chain. They said also call the manufacturer. Not that they will give you a chains lifetime. Maybe they will say something that helps.

[@Spoondrifters]

Merrimarine makes custom bow rollers out of Delrin that are cut specifically to fit the chain and shank of the anchor. That should make it all work much smoother.

[@mr.e7022]

I wouldn't commit on modifying the bow roller until the chain/gypsy problem is fixed. You might find that the anchor works without slipping in its original slot with the proper chain/gypsy combo. Can you reverse the windless direction? That comes in handy when one wants more chain out. Also do you have a way to make fast the anchor to the boat without using the windlass? One more thing, if you have to purchase new chain, don't cheap out. There are plenty of videos of sailor regretting saving a few dollars when the chain rusted out after just a few years. I think ACCO is a brand you might look into. definitely not Chinese.

[@onlyychevys]

I agree, fix the chain/gypsy first. I have a cnc machine but can only cut aluminum if that could help.

[@Spoondrifters]

Darn, it would definitely need to be stainless. I think the loads may be too much for aluminum.

[@Spoondrifters]

Yeah I want to see how a matched set performs. Also you are right there are lots of horror stories on chain.

[@barrystone2122]

👍👍🤔😁

[@Spoondrifters]

😍

[@miked5563]

Rib injury...you pulled the cartilage away from the bone...painful and takes a long time to heal.

[@Spoondrifters]

That makes sense!

[@davidwarnes5158]

How old is the windless how old is the chain on the boat . ? Change the oldest part , sleep safe , the old one because of wear will probably draw more power , and breakdown more ?

[@Spoondrifters]

The chain is far newer, so we will keep it in favor of a new gypsy.

[@davidwarnes5158]

@@Spoondrifters new windless ?

[@pocketchange1951]

👍👌❤🇨🇦

[@Spoondrifters]

👍

[@hanssolo4ever]

you got the wrong gypsy for the chain that is why is it skipping, it could also could it be worn out.

[@Spoondrifters]

It is the wrong chain. The gypsy is for 3/8 bbb. The PO replaced it with G4.

[@johngarner6837]

Just found your channel. Mean this in all sincerity and kindness. It's great seeing "normal" people do all this. KZbin seems full of 20-somethings in thongs...and while I do love a 20-something in a thong I would much rather watch you guys on this remarkable journey with your family. Wish y'all all the best...

[@Spoondrifters]

Ha! Welcome to our channel where it’s real life all day long. 😝

[@miked5563]

Should be a chain number to use on gypsy. Gypsy is not the issue. Not the right size chain......oops, just ended video....whichever is cheaper....replace.

[@Spoondrifters]

Choices choices choices. Boat bucks and more boat bucks. Lol.

[@johndenchuk5553]

Get the rite size chain for the winch ..........you have the wrong size of chain !

[@Spoondrifters]

We’ll probably buy a new gypsy.

[@phillipobrien7365]

She does hate it when I get my clothes filthy, but then does Tammy iron your old work shirts even when you tell her it is a complete waste of time and effort ? My wife does.

[@Spoondrifters]

Lol. Tammy thinks ironing is a waste of time too. Ironically down here with the heat and humidity the wrinkles just fall out.

[@hanssolo4ever]

Redo the front of the bow of the roller it will hit every anchor you install it is too tight.

[@Spoondrifters]

That is the plan.

[@justinoflaherty663]

Replace the gypsy

[@Spoondrifters]

Likely that is what we will do.