I try not to get too excited about products I haven’t seen in person. But long-time readers will remember my attempt to overhaul my (dead) Sprint 400 windlass. Replacement was the only option, it turned out, so I covered the hole in my foredeck and went cruising.
That was last August, and I’m embarrassed to say that the foredeck still has that funny piece of plastic bolted to it. Imagine my delight to discover a compact, high-quality windlass with all the features I want.
Let’s see what the press release tells us…
Now, boaters can enjoy the water more and spend less time figuring out their marine equipment. Rated as the number one automatic rope/chain windlass in its class by an independent test report, Maxwell America’s Freedom Series offers simple mounting, saving boaters time and money.
Featuring easy two piece installation, the Freedom Series allows users to retrofit without disassembly of the windlass. The topworks can be fully dismantled by utilizing the handle provided and a screwdriver. No special tools are required.
Editor’s note: This is a HUGE benefit to me. Take a look at my attempts to overhaul the old one (here and here). Boaters need to face the fact that it’s a windlass, and you’ll need to get inside it some day.
A unique spacer tube design allows installation through almost any deck thickness. Alternative gearbox/motor positions accommodate virtually all mounting situations.
Maxwell’s revolutionary windlass automatically feeds anchor rode into and out of the anchor locker for effortless handling of the rope/chain rodes. With a sleek, captive, on-deck design, it provides smooth, snag-free operation. Featuring dual direction movement, users can easily accomplish high-speed, jam-free retrieval of rope and chain from remote control stations.
A cone type clutch/brake mechanism permits manual free fall anchoring. Unlike a dog clutch, a cone clutch provides smooth disengagement of the chainwheel.
Incredibly durable, it’s constructed from marine-grade, hard-anodized alloy housing finished in beautiful metallic charcoal. Best for serving lighter displacement vessels up to about 45′, the Freedom Series from Maxwell America has a new, lower starting retail price of $1,162.50. Maxwell has recently reduced pricing across its entire line worldwide.
6 responses so far ↓
Mike // Jun 5, 2009 at 5:43 am
Hi.
I have just finished putting Marine Tex grey into the worn roll pin hole in the gear of my orphaned Maxwell-Nilsson VR-700 windlass in the hope I don’t have to buy a new windlass like you did. None the less I have been looking at possible replacements should my efforts fail. Regarding your new Maxwell. I have some concerns about the design specifically how the motor hangs off the gear housing. While under normal conditions this may be fine. My concern is when pounding into a head sea. Do you think the heavy weight of the motor will crack or break off from the gear housing or do you feel it is robust enough to handle such a strain?
Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor // Jun 5, 2009 at 8:08 am
Mike, you raise an important question, but at this point, I do not have the new windlass in my possession, so I don’t know the answer. I’m in contact with the folks at Maxwell, so I’ll ask them to comment here.
My old windlass motor hung straight down, so there wouldn’t be the kind of leverage pounding into a head sea that you visualize. Let’s see what Maxwell, or other readers, have to say about this.
Mike // Jun 7, 2009 at 4:56 am
Tim:
I was thinking a that perhaps some type of strap attached around the motor that helps support it to the deck above might be just the extra insurance one needs to make sure the motor does not go clunk into the chain locker. Nice looking windlass though. I look forward to your report.
Tom ( starcraft) // Jun 11, 2009 at 11:51 am
Roger // Jun 18, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Hi Tim, I found your website while searching for reviews on the Maxwell Freedom 800. My Maxwell 700 just tanked after 22 years of service, and I considered another rebuild (last rebuild was 12 years ago,) but decided against it when I saw the extent of corrosion on the housing and other corrosion-induced defects.
Besides, having to make the manual change from the rope capstain to chain gypsy was always a lousy way to start the morning, so the combination rope & chain gypsy has a special attraction — no more complaining from the winch wench.
Regarding Mike’s question, my VWC 700 had the motor hanging sideways from the unit in similar fashion to the one shown above, with no ill effects. I think if the casting and deck mounting are sufficient to withstand the stresses imposed by normal anchoring, then a motor that hangs off one side is pretty much a moot point. Besides, my rode lies in the locker immediately beneath the windlass, and I can appreciate the extra vertical stacking space this arrangement allows.
Rick // Feb 16, 2010 at 7:06 am
Sir,
I’m a new reader to your blog and just happened upon this post. I’ve actually owned both the Freedom 500 and 800 models on two different vessels. The 500 was on a small displacement boat (10,000 lbs. dry) and it handled a 35 Bruce plus 25′ of chain absolutely effortlessly. The transitions from chain to rode were seamless. Since then, I got a new Tiara 3900 which came standard with a Freedom 800. It too is amazing, and handles a 35 lb. Delta with 30′ of chain effortlessly. There was one service point that didn’t arise in the 500 that did arise in the 800, however. There is a $18 plastic piece in the chainwheel housing called the tension arm that is a wear item and helps the gypsy transition from eating chain to eating nylon. 5 seasons with the 500 and the tension arm never required service. However, after one season on the 800, the tension arm simply disintegrated and as a result, the windlass ended up choking on the transition point between chain and rode and damaged the splice. I now replace the tension arm at the beginning of every season, and have had nary a problem. As for the comments on the 90 bend to the motor, the 500 survived 5 seasons of some pretty serious offshore pounding at 50 mph without problem.
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