anchor windlass

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evmars1

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I would like to fit a 12volt horizontal anchor windlass to our 9mtr catalac. Displacement is 4.5 tons with 20mtrs of 3/8 chain and 30 mtrs 14mm anchorplait. Any info on manufacturers, good or bad, much appreciated.

t.v.m.
 
Lofrans have a great reputation, I have a Royal on my 9m catalac. That is a manual, and reckon that theelectric version, the Tigres would be the most appropriate for you.

tigres.jpg


I suspect you will have to replace your chain in order to get an appropriate calibrated version.
 
Any particular reason for wanting a horizontal version? Vertical ones hide their motors below decks and grip the chain/rope better as it is in contact with the gypsy over 270° rather than 90°
 
Ditto, just fitted a vertical Lofrans on my multi.
20mtrs of 3/8chain is fairly beefy for a Catalac
although Talbot may not agree. I am using 15mtrs of
5/16 chain on a 39fter.
The vertical Lofrans 1000wt are available at a good price from
I think ?Port Solent Marine. There's an as new 750wt version
in a shop window in Brighton marina. PM me if you want detaikls.
 
Lofrans "Vertical" axis used to refer to the gipsy axis, not the electric motor axis: so in my 30 footer monohull I have a very low above deck chain-only vertical axis gipsy (and 180° chain round) and, below deck, an horizontal electric motor (with little prominence in the forecabin).
After 15 years: never had a problem.
Cheers,
Gianenrico
 
"Any particular reason for wanting a horizontal version?"

One reason to consider is how the chain will run to the windlass from the bow roller. I have a vertical Lofrans Leopard on my boat and I am very pleased with it. However the chain goes through a large fairlead in the bulwark and the anchor cant self stow. I dont have a problem with this and like the wrap around action of the gypsy. It was impossible though to have sited it so that the chain would run over the bow roller. The windlass would have had to have been a long way aft, or mounted on a pedestal. Anyway just a thought.
 
I originally bought a Lofrans Airon and was going to fit that, but it requires a great deal more work than the Tigres due to the shape and position of the cable locker.
 
Thanks for the input so far. The reason for the horizontal option is that the chain locker is fairly shallow, and that the vertical unit will restrict chain stowage.
 
One consideration for NOT using a vertical shaft version is that you may not be able to find a model which allows manual operation. I helped a guy on a 43ft with a vertical shaft windlass whose control system was faulty but he had no manual operation. There was a socket in the top of the gypsy cover for a winch handle but this was really only to loosen the clutch. As it was directly to the gypsy and did not lock in plaace it was useless for manual operation of the windlass. They were very tired after having to anchor and haul manually.
 
I use a Lofrans Airon 1000W vertical gipsy axis. with 60 meters 8mm chain and 50 meters 14mm anchor plait. Main anchor is a 35lb stainless steel plough.

Can't understand why you want to limit your anchoring so much though. If you wanted to float on 2 meters at low tide you'd need 70 meters minimum at high tide if you went to the channel islands. More if it came on to blow. I'd recomend you recheck how much scope you need. I know you're a cat and need to keep weight down but IMHO I'd advise you to re-consider the Anchor plait to 100 metres.

Fair winds
Ken
 
Thanks Vitalman, very good point. ! am however in the Med, and will be for the next 4 years.

Lofrans seem to be the favourite so far!

Dave.
 
Yep, I'd go with a Lofrans too. Well I have actually! The 1000w Airon has been aboard for several years now as has performed faultlessly, even though we've anchored hundreds of times while full time cruising.

I don't know the configuration of your anchor well/locker, so don't know whether a vertical or horizontal unit is the answer, but you won't go far wrong with the make.
 
Is it possiable to put a chain gipsy on a manual winch?

Ive been looking for a simpson larence one which was horizontal and used a winch handle.There were both chain only and rope and chain.

Now everythings electrified, and quite unsuitable for my current boat.
 
Sorry Trouville, I'm not sure what you are asking. Do mean can a gypsy be fitted to a 'normal', say Lewmar type, winch, or do you mean a windlass?

I've not looked for horizontal manual windlasses operated by a winch handle but they may exist. Usually, as you probably know, this type have a longish handle that fits into a hole(s) in rachet assembly.

I don't see how you'd use the winch handle if there was one. Wouldn't you need a vertical shaft windlass (winch?) to achieve this, or were you thinking of using a horizontal one and racheting all the time.

Oh blimey, none of the above makes a lot of sense either now I read it again!!
 
SL used to make such a ancho winch,On board my Hillyard i used indeed a SL anchor winch which was vertical with a very long handle and the bike chain never broke! did a wonderful job indeed!

On my present downsized boat there isent room for such a winch!!. 90% of the time i bring my chain in by hand and just winch up my 35LB donforth and last 6 meters of chain.

On the current boat ditto but its all by hand i just though i would like to have a dedicated winch in case i have to lift several anchors and chains while getting mine back! Then it has to be a winch, as i cant find an SL i wonderd if i could use a 2 speed lewmar for example but with the standard drum and gipsy or be able to fit a gipsy if im useing chain.

That way if my anchors foul i have a chance to lift it and get a line around the offending chain or what ever. Just by hand would be impossiable!
 
Oh I see, you WERE thinking of a standard winch being used as a windlass. I don't know if this can be done Trouville and never seen anyone have a go.

Obviously if you wanted it just to haul in the warp section of your rode, there would be no problem, but I don't how it would work with the chain if you did try.

My (electric) Lofrans Airon can be hand winched using an International Star winch handle (the standard) but it's quite hard work because you have to overcome the heavy duty spring-operated pawl as well as the weight of the chain/anchor. Even with a 10" handle the leverage is not enough.

Might be worth looking for a knackered Airon or similar, ditching the motor and just using the rest.
 
I have a few Simpson Lawrence Anchorman Manuals, Gipsy Only and Gipsy Drum versions. You can find more details about me at www.slspares.co.uk, although I have not got these Manual Windlasses detailed on the website as I only have a few and do not list items that I cannot replenish. If you indicate your chain size and if you require a drum I will reply to you with pictures of the windlasses which may suit. You should note the gipsy is a rope/chain gipsy.
 
i used the hyspeed for more than 20years on my 12 ton Hillyard and it lifted may obstructions but never broke its bike chain which i see cost £30?

I was a compleat fool to leave it aboard as the new owner threw it over board! In that harbour no privat diving allowed or i would have gone down. He would have given it to me but dident think anyone wanted a manual winch------------

I know well the model im looking for but just forget the name of it id want rope and chain what would that cost?????

Dificult to concentrate after 20.00! Id like an 8mm gipsy please!! Pity they went out of business never thought they would,like kelvin huges terrable
 
Been asking about.All old systems are put overboard. To heavy to take off.The drums and spares are kept. Rest splash!!

I have a very old bronze winch with a streight leaver and very strong ratchet that would bring the chain in.

Prefer a two speed small modern thing though?
 
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