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We have a Maxwell windlass on our '05 328. This past weekend as my wife and I were attempting to remove the existing anchor rope (had to cut our anchor a month or so back...........) and put in the new rope/chain, several pieces of the anchor rope got bound up in the windlass. I tried to work it out with the windlass foot pedals with no luck. The access hole inside the cabin is too small for me to get at it as well. Any ideas on how we can get the remaining anchor rope out? I was hesitant to take a tool to the windlass topside as I'm not very mechanical and feared messing something up on the windlass and having two problems instead of one. We have our 328 for 5 years with zero windlass / anchor rope problems. Can't believe I'm the first person to get the anchor rope fouled in the windlass. Thanks in advance!

Bill

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2005 328 Vista
2006 200 Horizon

Are you saying the rope is fouled in the locker below the windlass or actually stuck inside the windlass?
I have the Freedom 500 windlass and opening it up is quite easy. The first thing I did was relieve the clutch pressure by turning the center star hub counter clockwise. I then unscrewed and removed the center flat blade screw. This should allow you to slowly pry up the center hub that the rope/chain ride around. A note of caution: there is a 3" long pressure plate that presses against the rope and chain to keep it up against the center spool. You will need to use a long thin screw driver or some other tool to hold it back while removing the center spool. Once the spool is removed, you can clean out anything that may be wrapped or wedged in the area. The pressure plate can be replaced if damaged or worn out. Just watch how it comes out to simplify re-installation. Re-installation consists of holding the pressure plate back out of the way while sliding the center spool back into the fixed assembly. Then screw in the flat blade screw and tighten the star pattern socket (applying clutch pressure). The outer star pattern socket can be used to manually deploy or retrieve the anchor. However you must release clutch pressure by loosening the center star pattern as stated above.

If after you get everything fixed up and find the windlass is slipping during retrieval you must apply more clutch pressure by turning the center star pattern socket clockwise.

Good luck and I hope this information helps. I tried finding the owners manual online but was unsuccessful. Perhaps another fellow boater can assist with that.

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2007 Four Winns 318 Vista "Sas Sea Lady"
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