Lewmar Pro-Sport 550 Installation

[a7ewizard]

I finished the installation of this windlass today. My 12 year old Horizon 500 was very, very tired. Its composite gypsey was worn to the point that it wouldn't grip the 1/2 inch rode and the brake was so weak that I could easily pull chain out by hand.

This Pro-Sport 550 has the same specs as the H500. Its foot print is a bit smaller, however. It is installed with 3 studs that penetrate the decking. The rear pair of studs fit thru the existing holes. The existing forward hole is exposed so I filled it with Marine-Tex epoxy. Two new holes needed to be drilled (forward stud and wire run). The kit comes with a new circuit breaker and switch which I will have on hand as spares. I simply wired the windlass into my existing circuit.

I'll attempt to post a couple of pictures (I seem to have difficulty doing this here??). Pictures are also available upon request.

Warren

[a7ewizard]

Pics

[seabob4]

Warren,
You're doing great with the pics, and the install.  Keep going bud, keep going...in the meantime,

BTW, I LOVE footswitches...

[jpaul72]

Pics look fine! You cant complain about 10 years of use out of the old one. Is the install complete yet?

[a7ewizard]

Pics look fine! You cant complain about 10 years of use out of the old one. Is the install complete yet?

Yes, the install is complete.

I've anchored a few times since .........no complaints and no issues to report. Primarily, I bought the 550 because its orientation (port side gypsey) is the same as the Horizon 500 and I thought it would cover better than upgrading to a Lewmar 700 and have the gypsey and mounting holes reversed.

Warren

[sandflea]

On my 23' cc sport I installed a lewmar.  A couple of things I did, that may not matter-but made me feel better, I made an aluminum backer plate to put underneath where the nuts tighten up to distribute the pressure. (2)  In the front of the valley after the roller bracket,  I siliconed down a piece of starboard that fits into the valley.  A couple of times in tall seas when pulling in anchor, the chain would slap the fiberglass in the valley,  Drove me nuts.  I use about 20' of chain so it probably happens easier.   

[MattG]

I plan on installing a recently purchased Lewmar 700 for my 251 and wanted to know if I should mount it as far back as possible to take advantage of the increased drop towards the rear of the anchor well.  It may not be that big of a difference but am asking because I noticed in the pictures above that the windlass is mounted more forward than I had planned on.  Have you had problems with the rode getting bunched up or tangled below the unit?  How much chain to you use? Any input is appreciated before I cut a 3" hole in my boat.

[seabob4]

Matt,
First and foremost, glad you joined!  By far, the more the merrier!

Most rodes use 15' of 1/4" chain with 150' of 1/2" line.  The chain won't give you a problem on the fall, but the line will.  Mounting the windlass as far aft as possible, yet still have everything in working order will definitely benefit you. One thing you might want to do before tying off your rode for the first time and bringing it up is to soak it in fresh water.  The extra weight of the water will help the fall.  After all, this would be a real world situation anyway, wouldn't it?

Bob C

[a7ewizard]

I plan on installing a recently purchased Lewmar 700 for my 251 and wanted to know if I should mount it as far back as possible to take advantage of the increased drop towards the rear of the anchor well.  It may not be that big of a difference but am asking because I noticed in the pictures above that the windlass is mounted more forward than I had planned on.  Have you had problems with the rode getting bunched up or tangled below the unit?  How much chain to you use? Any input is appreciated before I cut a 3" hole in my boat.

My original H500 was dealer installed. This position has worked very well...rarely has it kinked. Maybe, having it mounted a bit forward and more centered over the space allows the rode to coil/stow more naturally?  

I have 30 feet of chain but I don't know /remember why? My anchor is a bit larger than usually recommended also.

A good picture also of the LED nav lights I installed.

[MattG]

Thanks for your input Bob and Wizard!

I have removed the front cleat and haven't decided whether to mount the windlass over the existing cleat holes or seal them and move it farther back.  I haven't bought the new rode yet but figured I would get the standard 15' of chain and 150' of rope.  I fish out of the shallow Florida big bend area primarily so that is more than enough length.

I've been offshore fishing quite a few times over the years but I am new to saltwater boat ownership and this forum and THT have been valuable resources of information.  I try not to learn things the hard way if I can help it.

[seabob4]

I try not to learn things the hard way if I can help it.

That is a good thing...

[sandflea]

To keep the rope from kinking up and sometimes not going out smoothly, I use fabric softner.  I mix a 5 gal bucket of water with it, and pour it in the anchor locker to soak it down.  Seems to go down better and come up easier.  I also soak myh cast net in fabric softner for 24 hours every year.

Sandflea

[a7ewizard]

I have removed the front cleat and haven't decided whether to mount the windlass over the existing cleat holes or seal them and move it farther back. 

IMO, you should not have removed the cleat. In snotty weather, you will want to tie off the rode to the cleat to releave the tension on the windlass. Trust me, you will shorten the life of the windlass if you don't. May not seem necessary in the normal boating day but if you find yourself broken down with seas/winds building, you will need that cleat! You may want to use the cleat to tighten down the chain and anchor when not in use also.

From my picture, you will see that the chain has scratched my cleat. No big deal to me but you may want to re-install yours offset to avoid this.

[MattG]

IMO, you should not have removed the cleat. In snotty weather, you will want to tie off the rode to the cleat to releave the tension on the windlass. Trust me, you will shorten the life of the windlass if you don't. May not seem necessary in the normal boating day but if you find yourself broken down with seas/winds building, you will need that cleat! You may want to use the cleat to tighten down the chain and anchor when not in use also.

From my picture, you will see that the chain has scratched my cleat. No big deal to me but you may want to re-install yours offset to avoid this.

I'm going to remount the cleat it's just that it was mounted where I want to put the windlass.  I probably will remount it sideways the way yours is.

[a7ewizard]

Now,,,,,for an update!

In less than 3 years, my Pro-Sport 550 started acting up!. It was popping the circuit breaker on retrieval or pulling in line very slowly. I removed the side casing to discover rusty water inside. I frequently fish off the anchor in the Winter. I am willing to bet that I have used this windlass many more times than the average owner; but I am not at all pleased about this situation.

I called Lewmar and they advised me to remove the windlass and take it to KKMI (their authorized representative here in SF).......

I got a call last week,,,,,,,,,Lewmar is standing behind their product and their 3 year warranty! They are sending me a new windlass to my home address!

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