If the oil is cloudy, then you have a water problem. Be sure to pour out the oil before unbolting the motor, lest the oil come out with the motor! Collect the old oil and inspect it carefully for metal particles or water. While going to that amount of effort, removing the electric motor to inspect the brushes and drive gear is relatively easy, and also a wise thing to do.

To remove the old oil, the windlass must be unbolted from its mounting on the foredeck and physically inverted to pour out the oil through the fill hole. There’s no drain plug, only a filler hole and a sight glass for the oil level. Lofrans recommends that the lubricating oil be changed every four years, and that’s where the fun begins. While this article is specific to the Lofrans Tigres windlass we own, it is of general use, as most electric windlasses follow the same general construction. The Internet will provide sources of parts, and also drawings or diagrams of your windlass. But before you tear into your windlass, do yourself a big favor and order a replacement seal kit for your particular windlass. After all, when you need to reset your anchor at oh-dark thirty when the wind is howling, you certainly want it to work properly.

But even though it is likely one of the more reliable machines on your power voyaging boat, you should still know how to perform basic winch maintenance. One of its great advantages - other than pulling up the anchor for you - is that it requires practically no periodic maintenance other than an occasional fresh water rinse, and in the longer term, an oil change. Harry Hungate An electric anchor windlass is a standard piece of gear on a power voyaging yacht.

Goiot Windlass Maintenance Manual