Anchor windlass: chain slipping, replace gypsy?

[Krumelur]

When pulling up the anchor my wife noticed that sometimes the windlass would operate but no chain is coming in. When I tried to figure out what's going on, I found that a pile of anchor chain is building up directly underneath the windlass. If I would give that pile a gentle push so that the chain is falling down into the anchor bay, pulling up the anchor always seems to work.

Still, I wonder if it's time to replace the gypsy. Can you guys tell from the pictures attached whether it's due for replacement or if I have to face the fact that maybe the entire winch isn't in perfect shape anymore (it was replaced with a new one in August 2020, so it's not too old)?

The gypsy is available as an original "Bavaria" part for sensational €500 which is ludicrous (https://www.svb.de/de/bavaria-iso-kettennuss-f-quick-ankerwinde-10-mm.html). Are there alternative source you can recommend?

[Yngmar]

Teeth do look a bit worn, but it's probably the same problem most of the "windlass on shelf under anchor locker lid" installations on Bavarias have with not enough of the chain being led around the gypsy, leading to jumping, which leads to premature wear on the teeth.

So the first thing to do is make the modification where more of the chain is led around the gypsy to prevent the jumping. That alone may solve the problem - if not, you can still replace the gypsy. Thread about this somewhere around here, just can't seem to find it right now!

The piling up of anchor chain is normal, the more chain you have, the more it piles, and also as the galvanizing wears off the chain gets stickier and piles more. The solution is to knock it over as you retrieve it. Most boats have to do this - you can hear the loud rattle of a pile of chain in the locker from afar when someone picks up anchor. Or, for the price of a watermaker, switch to stainless chain (which is much more slippery and thus piles up less).

[SYJetzt]

Examine your chain, there are several types (standards DIN766 and ISO 4565) on the market. The gypsy must fit to your chain type.
Maybe you can the gypsy directly from quick, without the bavaria markup.

If you have a longer chain in use, the space in the anchor locker is maybe to less. Galvanised chains tend to pile up, a (very expensive) solution could be a stainless steel chain, which has a smoother surface and stow better in the anchor locker.

[Krumelur]

Maybe I can build something to make the chain slide down? Will inspect when I’m on the boat next time.

If you find the thread, let me know!

[Keweetoo]

Our chain piles up on retreival as do many boats. We keep a short length of broom handle with a 'T' piece screwed to end in the locker for knocking over the pile as it builds.

[elias]

Same problem here , I build something like a shelf to put the last 35m , I have 85m of 10mm , so I have for everyday use the 50m . Still needs pushing , try to keep it clean from mud and weed . Next year I am going to try something like the “chain boy” but from plastic cause I believe it will be cheaper and will make less noise

[blue-max]

I  thought about making a cone of stainless to  guide the chain away from underneath the windlass where it tends to rise up  and then jam the gypsy. I wonder if anyone has done this? You need to  check the angle of the chain from the bow roller to  the gypsy. In my case this was bad and caused wear and slippage. I was able to  raise the whole windlass on delrin pads by about 4cm to  improve the chain angle - and still close the lid on the anchor well. If the windlass is old and well  used it might be better to  sell it for parts and buy a new one. Or my new Lofrans  Tigres   which  I was going to  use but didn't.

[elias]

I did the same with my Lofrans , some cm till the lid can close and works perfect . If I make the cone I ll share it to the forum

[Yngmar]

Raising the windlass to reduce chain jumping makes sense, but wouldn't it make the most sense to raise only the front and not the rear of the windlass?