Archive | February, 2014

Muir Windlass – repairing the Wildcat – Gypsy – Chainwheel

Repairing the Muir Wildcat Gypsy Chainwheel

Removing the galled Muir gypsy

Another good customer with an 87′ Oceanfast had a unique problem with his Muir anchor windlass. Many years ago there was a mismatch between the metric sized chain and the imperial sized gypsy chainwheel (also known as a Wildcat in North America).   The solution at the time, due to time constraints, was replacing the gypsy with an after-market gypsy (not Muir) that fit the existing chain. Unfortunately, the stainless steel gypsy was machined to fit the stainless steel Muir anchor windlass shaft without a bushing.

Within a short period of time the gypsy galled and seized to the shaft.  We were able to pull the seized unit using hydraulics and pullers from our running gear shop.

Machined and pressed  bronze bushing for Muir Windlass

Muir Windlass gypsy in the machine shop for bronze bushing installation

The final repair was an easy solution for our machine shop, Straight Line Marine, to machine and press in a bronze bushing. Good-to-go.

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Muir Windlasses for Super Yachts

Muir Windlass in the Anchor Room

Muir Windlass in the Anchor Room

Muir Windlass

Muir Windlass

We have the pleasure of working on a brand new 65 meter (213’) Palmer Johnson with a pair of Muir windlasses.  The project required the removal of the Muir windlasses for additional metal work and paint in the anchor room.

Muir has a broad line of windlasses for small pleasure yachts up to super yachts and commercial vessels.  They are built in Tasmania with a relatively simple design concept – removal and installation is fairly straight forward.  Our hydraulics’ team is ready to help with any of your windlass needs whether it is Muir, Maxwell or Steen.

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Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild on Marquip Passerelle

 

Re-building of a Marquip Passerelle

Re-building of a Marquip Passerelle

One of our good customers has a 157’ Trinity built in 2006 with a Marquip passerelle.  The passerelle had some basic service problems – mainly the tilt cylinder was leaking down and the main extension cylinder would not bring the passerelle back in without a full tilt up.  This is an indication of cylinder by-pass.  The vessel was hauled in our yard so the removal of the passerelle was relatively simple since we were not hanging over the water.  Also, fortunately this Marquip passerelle could be removed without removing the main base or pivot table.  This greatly simplifies the process.

Once the passerelle was on the bench, we could remove the extension to gain access to the cylinder.  A simple rebuild and extensive testing for by-pass confirmed all was well.

Re-installation of Marquip Passerelle

Re-installation of Marquip Passerelle

Reinstallation and testing went smoothly.  Another straight forward job on a Marquip passerelle.

 

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Maxwell 10000 Windlass Rebuild

Maxwell 10000 Windlass missing top shim

Maxwell 10000 Windlass missing top shim

A good customer with a 150’ Palmer Johnson had a problem with his old Maxwell Windlass units.  The system was running slowly and it appeared that it would not pull the full 300’ of chain.  After troubleshooting the hydraulics – flow and pressure – it was determined that the windlass was binding and needed a rebuild.

Everything was stripped from the bow for rebuild.  The winch and wildcat were sent out to be re-plated with chrome.  The gear box and external components were sandblasted and powder coated. During the tear-down, we discovered one of the shims for the thrust bearings was missing.  This caused the entire gear and shaft to shift up and bind on the top of the aluminum case.  New bearing and seals were ordered from Maxwell and the aluminum case was repaired in our machine shop.

One last detail – the area on the shaft where the lip seals run had worn with time.  New shafts from Maxwell on the 10000 unit (no longer in production) are a 6 week lead time.  Fortunately, our skilled machine shop cut the seal area down from 95mm to 90mm and a smaller seal was ordered – problem solved and good-to-go for many years to come.

Refurbished, re-plated and powder coated Maxwell 10000 Windlass

Refurbished, re-plated and powder coated Maxwell 10000 Windlass

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