A Broken Windlass, Stuck in Guadeloupe
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Our story picks up on the western coast of Guadeloupe, sailing solo through the lesser Antilles in the height of hurricane season. How the heck did we get here? As we weigh anchor to sail South towards Portsmouth, Dominica, we struggle to lift the anchor home as we're stuck in 50+ feet of water, with too much weight on the anchor windlass. I make mistakes and continue trying with the windlass instead of immediately rigging a hand winch to assist in the lift. The windlass breaks. I spend all day on a wild goose chase trying to find why the motor has stopped, hoping it's a fuse or a bad connection, or a bad solenoid/relay. I'm sadly wrong. I've damaged my electric windlass motor and can't even detach it to go further. A new system for lifting the anchor is thought up and I work late into the night as I plan a semi emergency sail to Dominica tomorrow. Some days living on a sailboat are amazing. Every day something breaks. Some times the day sucks because something breaks. The End.
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Perseverance is a sign your truly living. Good on you, man.
You see it as a disaster / crisis. We see it as you're out there living the dream. Lol.
5:06 daily volts are the best, it is hard to sugar coat the “challenges “, YOU are the Man🎉 thanks for sharing 😢
I understand you señor. Sigh... But you don't have to be traveling the world to encounter these bumps in the road. You have done the best you can. As long as you keep moving forward, you'll be alright. I believe in you. What could be the worse thing that could happen? My father used to tell me, when I was confronted with problems, that our mind is like a magnifying lense. Things are looking bigger than they are at first. Think about it. Can you imagine having this problem half way through the Nile 🙀? There is always a reason why things happen. Now, you'll be better prepared in case this happens again. I know this is easy for me to say and it may not be what you want to hear or comprehend. But you will in the future. 😊
BTW Things will look better with a full stomach.
The chain was more than it could bare.
Bummer!! Lots of great comments here. If you need any replacement parts, we have a guy good with windlasses. Love to see your adventures!
Commenting for the algorithm
And this too , shall pass ...
So proud of your efforts. This too will pass. Everything will pay off!! Your hard work and determination is so so admirable. THIS WILL WORK!! You will get it done!! Can’t think of anyone better for the job. You got this ❤ go make yourself a lotus biscoff on bread and try again. I believe in you and so does everyone else. ❤️❤️❤️ lots of love
And that, my friend, is what separates the good electricians from the bad ones! I have met my fair share of sparkys that can't even trace out or test a motor for shorts so don't be so hard on yourself.
Than s*^ks, but is so typical of boats. Your attitude is excellent and suited for the seafaring life. Fair winds and following seas!
Did you try running power directly to the motor? By switching negative and positive you should be able to run the motor both ways.
A motor is a motor is a motor...it can be rebuilt. Where do locals get their automotive starter motors rebuilt?
Windlass motor and solonoid are on my spares list for when we head far away. Also a spare for the bow thruster which I just had to replace.
Chin up, good things in your future.
Need more dog footage
Great things ahead! Do you have plans to work a period of time while you're down there? Like superyachts and such? :)
Maybe just brushes in the motor. Mine did the same
Electrical parts cleaner, not brakleen on motors! Brakleen can dissolve the motor windings coatings. Needs to be something safe for plastic.
Your windlass is only picking up the chain that is suspended so if you are in 50ft with 300ft out you are not picking up the weight of all 300ft. If your anchor is oversized it may over work it. Chances are it’s just old and tired.
Just whatever you do, don’t start crying again that’s not gonna get you anywhere. You will figure it out.
❤
Know this has been a lot more stressful than you project.
I realize your a product of just get a new 1. Think rebuild what you have!! Much better quality materials in the old windlass then new. Should be a shop that can do new bushings, even bearings. Please give it a try. Talk to fellow cruisers! Surely a fellow cruiser will help !😢
Bro get a couple hot crew members to help you. Your views will sky rocket too.
Learn to take it completely apart and rebuild it , always measure you chain ware thickness, as not to slip on the windlass also , as chain ages
Start learning and thinking theory based , for mechanics, electrical, building, whatever, everything is man made , components, sub sections, make up something, learn about the individual components, then you understand and can simply diagnose , fix , rebuild , so on , all knowledge taught is so compartmentalized , hard to see and understand something completely in its theory of creation
Capt Sandy on BD had a windless problem recently. Shaft broke? Had to put bouy on chain and drop it for recovery team to go get it. She had 2nd anchor so was able to dock at port and did repair and chain installation dockside. You have it much worse than her. Hang in there skipper 🫡
Commenting for the algorithm
Commenting for the algorithm