Enciclopedia de yates
Windlass
Six millimetres on sprocket 006 is not one chain. Two issues of the same Lewmar manual assign that sprocket to different chain standards. Not one standard.
In Lewmar manual 65001201, issue 8, gypsy 006 is rated for 6 mm ISO 4565 chain, and also for quarter-inch G40 and BBB. In issue 1 of the same number, for V2 and V3, that same 006 is signed as 6 mm DIN 766. Six millimetres here is not one chain. The number 006 does not decide which standard is on this boat.
What it is
A windlass lifts chain or rope, electrically or by hand. The gypsy has to match the chain. On a smaller boat a manual windlass is often enough: an electric one is not required.
The windlass lifts the anchor rode. The Maxwell manual for the RC6, RC8 and RC10 says not to pull the boat to the anchor with it: you come up to the anchor under engine. Do not use it in place of a cleat. Do not break out a set anchor with the windlass; make the rode fast and use the engine. Under way and in fresh weather the anchor is secured separately. In the Maxwell questions, long-link chain does not go on the windlass. It needs calibrated short-link chain. The words "6 mm" do not replace that.
In Lewmar issue 8 a foam or balsa deck needs reinforcement. For V1 to V3 they want a deck thickness of at least 25 mm. A fresh cut for the hole is sealed, or the edge drinks water. A shiny windlass on a soft core is a risk: the questions are about backing plates and water at the fasteners. The breaker in the supply cannot be bypassed, and it is switched off when the windlass is not in use. It sits close to the battery, in a dry place, and after it trips it is reset by hand. In issue 1 a contactor in the chain locker voids the warranty. After a manual lift the rode is made fast on a cleat, not left on the gypsy. Before the handle goes on, power is taken off at the breaker.
This page does not take one boat length and one pull from those manuals. On an invoice or a plate it is useful to see the gypsy number and the chain standard, not only "6 mm". For gypsy 006 this page does not choose between ISO 4565 and DIN 766. Nearby on the site: battery bank, running rigging, deck core and survey checklist are other pages, not this invoice.