Sleipner Midi Windlass WL202 — Installation Manual

Windlass Specifications

MIDI is a true free-fall windlass for boats up to approximately 25 feet: the anchor must be heavy enough to overcome the friction and weight of rope, chain and pulleys. Rope stiffens over time with salt and sand, making sharp bends harder.

Windlass Measurements

The upgrade-kit guide prints the same measurements for MIDI 201 and MIDI 202.

Placement and Mounting

• Plan winch/motor, switch panel, anchor and windlass brackets, cables, control box, rope guides and main switch/circuit breaker.
• At least 50 cm from the rope locker floor to the bottom of the line wheel and an area of at least 40 x 40 cm for 50 m x 12 mm rope. Wind the rope in line with the anchor bracket; fit the bracket rollers outside the platform (hinged platform roller for a low windlass with a Bruce anchor).
• The mounting bracket and the rope guide / stop sensor bracket rotate independently: set the windlass, then aim the rope down and away from obstructions; both screws max. 17 Nm. The rope guide must sit in the centre of the line wheel.
• Entry-to-exit angle round the gypsy maximum 90 degrees; the rope always enters from the right. Keep the rope tight the first time it is pulled in.
• Always attach a safety line to the anchor while under way.

Rope Clearance and Auto Stop

• An inductive sensor under the rope guide reads two steel stop rings on the rope (ring outer diameter as close as possible to the rope diameter).
• Raise the anchor until the thimble eye is 25-50 cm below the rope roller (slow speed for the last part) and mark the rope at the sensor; reel in to the final resting position and mark again.
• Open each ring with keeper-ring pliers, fit it over the rope, close it with the joint overlapping and force the ends into the rope so it cannot slip. Inspect the rings regularly and replace damaged ones.

Gypsy Upgrade Kit (16-00245)

1. Loosen the attachment bolts and remove the sensor lead from the rope guide.
2. Remove the existing gypsy, rope guide and stop sensor.
3. Install the new MIDI 202 rope guide and gypsy.
4. Tighten all attachment bolts (max. 17 Nm) and refit the stop sensor in the rope guide.

The kit guide is titled "SM160330 Upgrade Kit" on the cover and lists the kit as 16-00245 – Upgrade Kit Gypsy, Midi201 to Midi202. It adds: always use original Sleipner rope; no windlass parts in hazardous (flammable fumes) areas; windlass motors exposed to humidity must be surface protected with Tectyl or similar.

Operating Safety

• Keep clear of the windlass, anchor line, anchor and brackets during operation, and watch the rope or chain while handling the anchor.
• If the windlass strains while raising, stop for a few seconds and let the boat gain momentum. If the anchor is stuck, pay out some line, make it fast to a cleat and use the boat to break it out: the windlass is not designed for loads beyond its rated pull.
• The anchor must always be secured to the boat while under way (safety line or other means).
• Keep the engine running during windlass operation. Children must not operate the windlass. Never use it close to anyone in the water.
• While dropping the anchor, do not press "UP" until the anchor is resting on the seabed.

Warranty: two years for leisure use, one year for commercial and other non-leisure use, from the date of purchase by the end user (for demonstration vessels the dealer is deemed the end user). It does not cover damage from faulty installation or hook-up, abuse or misuse.