Lofrans · Windlass

Lofrans Royal

The Royal is Lofrans’ hand-operated horizontal windlass: no motor and no wiring, an anodised aluminium body with the chain gypsy on one side and a warping drum on the other. It has one speed and is double-acting: a lever plugged into the hand wheel brings chain in on both the forward and the back stroke, and the same lever opens and brakes the clutch when the anchor goes down. Lofrans quotes a maximum pull of 400 kg, a working load of 50–70 kg and a weight of 10 kg, and its manual places the Royal on boats of 25–40 ft for heavy-duty use. It has been in the range at least since 2001, the date on the parts list in its manual, and is still sold in 2026; the Royal Major is a different, retired model. The electric horizontal Cayman, Kobra and Tigres (which has its own page) take the same 276-series gypsies and clutch cones.

Manuals & documents

The links go to Lofrans’s own documents — some as archived copies of pages the maker has since taken down. We host no manuals or drawings.

Wear parts & part numbers

PartOEM numberAlso fitsNote
Service kit720461,2,3,4—Lofrans’ maintenance kit for the Royal: keys, screws, two M14 × 40 cap screws, a 38 mm circlip and washers, with no oil seals (the Royal’s parts list has none). The 2001 parts list in the manual still names three separate kits, KB02101 (screws and nuts), KC02101 (keys) and KD02101 (circlips); 72046 holds the same items plus the two cap screws.
Chain gypsy6309682,4,5—6 mm ISO 4565 / DIN 766 (#276A, type a). The same gypsies fit the Cayman, Kobra and Tigres; when changing chain size, change the outer clutch cone too.
Chain gypsy6309782,4,5—7 mm ISO 4565 / 1/4 in G40 (#276B, type b). Cut for ISO 4565, not for 7 mm DIN 766.
Chain gypsy6309942,4,5—8 mm ISO 4565 / DIN 766, also 5/16 in BBB (#276C, type c).
Chain gypsy6310772,4,5,6,7—5/16 in HT, G40 (#276D, type d). Lofrans’ manuals disagree on its outer cone and stripper: the Royal manual groups type d with the large ones (631846), the Tigres/Cayman manual with the small ones (631842); compare with the cone on your windlass or ask Lofrans.
Chain gypsy6310112,4,5—10 mm ISO 4565 / 3/8 in HT (#276E, type e). Like all types e–h it needs the outer cone 631846.
Chain gypsy6311182,4,5—10 mm DIN 766 (#276F, type f). Like all types e–h it needs the outer cone 631846.
Chain gypsy6311202,4,5—3/8 in BBB (#276G, type g). Like all types e–h it needs the outer cone 631846.
Chain gypsy6311222,4,5—3/8 in PC, proof coil (#276H, type h). Like all types e–h it needs the outer cone 631846.
Clutch cone6318552,7—Inner cone (#277), shared with the Cayman and Kobra.
Clutch cone6318422,8,6,7—Outer cone (#318A) for the small gypsies: 6, 7 and 8 mm (types a–c in the Royal manual, a–d in the Tigres/Cayman manual). Jimmy Green: the one to fit when going from a 10 mm to an 8 mm gypsy.
Clutch cone6318462,8,6,7—Outer cone (#318B) for the large gypsies: 10 mm ISO, 10 mm DIN 766, 3/8 in BBB and 3/8 in PC (types e–h; the Royal manual adds type d, 5/16 in). Jimmy Green: the one to fit when going from an 8 mm to a 10 mm gypsy.
Chain stripper6352712,9,6—Stripper (#335) for the small gypsies. It is the only stripper on Lofrans’ Royal exploded view and the only Royal number in Jimmy Green’s table, although the Royal manual lists a second one (#335A) for the large gypsies; read the tips before fitting a 10 mm gypsy.
Clutch nut6355102,10,11—Chromed wing nut (#317) that tightens the gypsy between the clutch cones; shared with the Cayman, Kobra and Tigres.
Operating lever6333152,6,12—Operating lever (#836), stainless with a rubber grip, the Royal’s only drive: plugged into the hand wheel it hauls chain or rope on both strokes, and it opens and brakes the clutch. The manual says to take it out when not in use.
Hand wheel (manual drive)6355452,6—Aluminium hand wheel (#506): the operating lever plugs into it to haul in the chain or turn the drum.
Driveshaft kit6307312—Main shaft of the Royal (#502); a single part, not a kit.
Gear set633277 · 633267 · 6332662—The double-action drive: 633277 = lead bevel gear (#499), 633267 = bevel gear (#492), 633266 = gear (#495), two per windlass.
Dog clutch631809 · 6318102—631809 = starboard casting (#497), 631810 = port casting (#496); the spring 633536 (#326) sits between them.
Plain bearing (bushing)630936 · 630935 · 630933 · 6309342—Nylon bushes of the gearbox: 630936 (#491, two), 630935 (#493), 630933 (#494, two), 630934 (#498).
Plain bearing (bushing)6014332,6—Bush kit (#268), listed by Lofrans as Tigres part on the Royal’s exploded view; the manual’s parts list has four nylon bushes at #268.
Rope drum6314602,13—Aluminium warping drum (#343), the same as on the Tigres; held by the washer 634845 (#344) and an M6 × 20 screw (#345, in kit 72046).
Case cover6315892,1—Aluminium cover (#490) of the gearbox, fixed with six M6 × 16 countersunk screws (#482, in kit 72046). The gearcase itself is 631686 (#505A).

Numbers checked against the sources below on 23 October 2026. Always confirm against your serial number and exact type before ordering.

Service intervals

TaskInterval
Fresh-water washStep A – rinse all outer surfaces and hidden spots with fresh water and remove the salt: every 3 months if the boat is used more than 6 months a year or chartered, every 6 months with 2–6 months’ use, once a year with under 2 months6
GreaseStep B – grease the rotating parts, above all the main-shaft thread and the clutch cones, and check for corrosion and mechanical stress: same rhythm as step A6
ClutchGypsy and cones, at each greasing (step B) or when changing chain size: unscrew the gypsy anticlockwise with the lever, slide the upper cone, gypsy and lower cone off the shaft, wash them with running water (never a pressure washer), check for corrosion and mechanical stress, and grease the threads and all moving parts on reassembly6
GasketsStep C – replace all gaskets: every 24 months with 2–6 or more than 6 months’ use a year, every 12 months on charter boats, every 36 months with under 2 months. The Royal’s parts list names no gasket and kit 72046 contains none, so ask Lofrans what applies to your unit6,1
Full serviceStep D – lift the windlass off the deck, clean the salt from under the base and re-seal it: every 36 months, every 24 months on charter boats6

From the maintenance programme (section 5.1) in Lofrans’ installation and user’s manual for the Royal, with the gypsy service from section 5.2. Lofrans staggers it by months of use per year, not by operating hours; the Royal’s programme has no electrics or oil step, and the warranty lapses if it is not followed.

Specifications

TypeHand-operated horizontal windlass, no motor: chain gypsy and independent warping drum on an anodised aluminium body; chain released and braked by hand through the cone clutch. Lofrans rates it for boats of 25–40 ft in heavy-duty use and 40–45 ft in light duty (up to 12 m on its 2003 website)2,6,14
SpeedsOne speed, double action: the lever brings chain in on both the forward and the back stroke; there is no second, lower gear12,15,14
Gear ratio1.2 : 1 according to Fisheries Supply, so almost no mechanical advantage: quick to bring in, hard work with a heavy load. Lofrans publishes no ratio and no line speed (N/A in the manual)12,6
Max pull / working loadMax pull 400 kg (880 lb); max instantaneous lift 200 kg (440 lb); working load 50 kg (110 lb) in the manual and catalogue, 70 kg in Lofrans’ online product table. Lofrans’ 2003 website gave 200 kg as maximum pull2,6,4,14
Chain sizeLofrans lists eight 276-series gypsies for the Royal: 6 mm ISO 4565/DIN 766, 7 mm ISO 4565 / 1/4 in G40, 8 mm ISO 4565/DIN 766, 5/16 in HT, 10 mm ISO 4565 / 3/8 in HT, 10 mm DIN 766, 3/8 in BBB and 3/8 in PC. The older table in the manual also names 3/16, 1/4 and 5/16 in BBB and 7 mm DIN 766; Lofrans’ current gypsy list and Jimmy Green give the 7 mm gypsy for ISO 4565 only2,4,6,5
DrumWarping drum on the side opposite the gypsy: with the clutch released it turns on its own for lines (three turns clockwise, says the manual). Never put chain on the drum. Fisheries Supply: for rope up to 3/4 in, with a snubbing hook at the rear6,12
Weight10 kg (22 lb) in the manual, catalogue and product table; Lofrans’ 2003 website and Toplicht give 9 kg2,6,4,14,15
DimensionsPer Lofrans’ dimension drawing: A 192 mm, D Ø85 mm, F 222 mm, L 80 mm (centreline to chain line), M 145 mm, N 167 mm; overall about 312 mm wide (N + M), 222 mm fore and aft and 192 mm high, matching Fisheries Supply’s 12-1/4 × 8-3/4 × 7-9/16 in6,4,16,12
MountingOn deck through four Ø11 mm holes: 185 mm fore and aft, 70 mm apart at the forward pair and 100 mm at the aft pair; chain hole a slot of R 22.5 mm with 12 mm between centres (45 × 57 mm) on the chain line, 80 mm off the centreline (Lofrans deck template, revision A, 2020). Round the forward edge of the chain hole at 45° and bed the base in silicone17,6
MaterialBody of anodised marine-grade aluminium alloy, gypsy of hot-forged bronze (Lofrans, 2003); Fisheries Supply adds aluminium bevel gears, a stainless-steel shaft and a stainless lever with rubber grip14,2,12
ModelsLofrans codes by gypsy: 187323 (6 mm ISO 4565/DIN 766), 600625 (7 mm ISO 4565), 404725 (8 mm ISO 4565/DIN 766), 600079 (10 mm DIN 766), 220002 (10 mm ISO 4565), all with drum. In the US it is sold as LW250AN plus the gypsy size, e.g. LW250AN-5/16 with a 5/16 in HT gypsy2,4,16,12
LubricationNo oil to change or check: Lofrans’ oil table does not list the Royal and its maintenance programme has no oil step; dealers describe the gearbox as filled for life (Jimmy Green: delivered filled with oil; Toplicht: lifetime lubrication). Lofrans asks for grease on the rotating parts, above all the main-shaft thread and the clutch cones18,6,16,15
Warranty3 years limited from purchase by the end user, on registration with the serial number (black label on the body or base); keeping to the maintenance programme is a condition19,6
Years builtIn Lofrans’ range at least since 2001 (the parts list in the manual is dated 01-2001; Lofrans’ 2003 website listed it as a manual double-action windlass) and still current in 2026; Lofrans publishes no launch year. The Royal Major is a separate model, retired without a direct replacement6,14,2,20

Good to know

  • The Royal takes the same 276-series gypsies as the Cayman, Kobra and Tigres, so a spare or second-hand gypsy from one of them fits. To change chain size, swap the gypsy and the outer clutch cone; mind that Lofrans’ 7 mm gypsy is cut for ISO 4565 chain, not for 7 mm DIN 766.2,5,13
  • Going from an 8 mm to a 10 mm or 3/8 in gypsy means three new parts: the gypsy, the outer cone 631846 instead of 631842, and a larger stripper. Jimmy Green, supplied by Lofrans’ UK distributor, says an 8/10 mm change needs a new stripper but lists only 635271 for the Royal, and Lofrans’ online exploded view shows no other, so ask Lofrans or a dealer before converting. And remember that you haul the heavier chain by hand: the working load is only 50–70 kg.8,9,2,6
  • There is no oil to change or check: Lofrans’ oil table does not list the Royal, its programme has no oil step, and dealers describe the gearbox as filled for life. What the Royal needs is fresh water and grease on the main-shaft thread and the clutch cones, every 3 to 12 months depending on use. Wash the gypsy and cones under running water, never with a pressure washer, and grease the threads when you put them back.6,18,16,15
  • Never let the windlass hold the boat: at anchor or with the anchor stowed, the chain belongs on a chain stopper. On the way down, brake with the lever on the clutch (clockwise brakes harder, anticlockwise lets the chain run); opening it fully drops the anchor at speed and can damage the chain pipe and the bow roller. To weigh anchor, bring the boat slowly up over the anchor so the lever only lifts chain, and take the lever out when you are done.6
  • When fitting a Royal, keep the chain angle at the bow roller under 90° and leave at least 300 mm between the underside of the deck and the top of the heaped chain, or Lofrans warns it will not work properly. Round the forward edge of the chain hole at 45° and bed the base in silicone. On an aluminium boat, put a non-conductive gasket (not supplied) under the windlass and insulate anchor, chain, chain locker and fixings from the hull, or electrolysis will corrode it quickly.6,17
  • Do not mix up the Royal with the Royal Major, an older Lofrans model that the maker lists as retired with no direct replacement. The part numbers on this page are for the Royal; for a Royal Major, check with Lofrans or a dealer before ordering anything.20

Videos & how-tos

Links to YouTube, nothing embedded. The maker’s own channel comes first; the rest are channels we found clear and correct for this model.

Fitted in

Boats whose builder lists it as standard or optional equipment:

  • Moody 376 — Lofrans Royal (Owner’s manual (Issue 3): Lofrans Royal for 8 mm (5/16 in) chain; Simpson Lawrence Seawolf 520 only as an option, due to be replaced in March 1991; the 1988 specification lists a hand windlass)

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Sources

  1. lofrans.com/download/01KFJM46PKNKQPQYMVJX9Q94S3
  2. lofrans.com/products/windlasses/royal-horizontal-windlass
  3. lofrans.com/products/lofrans-deck-hardware-accessories/maintenance-kit-royal
  4. lofrans.com/download/01KFNMN7YB85M7N2RNY3TFJM30
  5. jimmygreen.com/lofrans-accessories/51650-lofrans-replacement-gypsy
  6. lofrans.com/download/01KFJM46425C5M0BTHQNXYTX03
  7. lofrans.com/download/01KFJM465Q3S1ZHF19H3P28PKD
  8. jimmygreen.com/product/lofrans-gypsy-outer-cones-for-changing-chain-size/
  9. jimmygreen.com/product/lofrans-stripper-arm/
  10. lofrans.com/products/windlasses/cayman-horizontal-windlass
  11. lofrans.com/products/windlasses/kobra-horizontal-windlass
  12. fisheriessupply.com/lofrans-royal-manual-windlass
  13. lofrans.com/products/windlasses/tigres-horizontal-windlass
  14. web.archive.org/web/20030120022702/http://www.lofrans.com:80/english/SALPAANCORE/royal.ht…
  15. toplicht.de/en/anchoring-mooring/anchor-winches/manual-anchor-winches/2050/anchor-winch-l…
  16. jimmygreen.com/product/lofrans-royal-manual-horizontal-windlass/
  17. lofrans.com/download/01KFJM455ZBJPF89GP87Q0M4V3
  18. lofrans.com/download/01KFJM444JDVAWGKVA5YGAKF6D
  19. lofrans.com/warranty
  20. lofrans.com/faq

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