Anchoring again.

[incognito]

Just as a PS to that wonderful thread (but I don't want people to have to reload it all, since it takes so long.........zzzzzz).

I remember seeing a nifty gadget which sat just in front of the windlass - which counted the links on their way past, and was thus able to determine how much chain was out - I think it was called a chain counter - anybody know where you can get one?

 

[ccscott49]

I made one for my winch. it just counted revolutions of the capstan, which is one foot of chain in my case, I bought the counter, eletronic thingy all amde up from maplins, uses a AA cell to drive it which lasts at least a year, which is handy, as you can't turn it off, you need a little button to zero it. I saw those natty chain link coun ters, somewhere or other, I think one of the winch manufacturers had them, lofrans perhaps, or it may have been simpson lawrence, before they went belly up. But I know they were available.

 

[Mirelle]

er..paint the links?

or is that too simple?

 

[ToMo]

Re: er..paint the links?

and then do em again next year...and again...again....how simple do you want to get?

TôMö

 

[andy_wilson]

Re: er..paint the links?

Use coloured tie wraps and make a note of your 'convention'. Mine are still OK after dozens of anchorings.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: er..paint the links?

Yes, sorry that is too simple, for me anyway. My winch is fully enclosed and the anchor in a hawse, I anchor from the wheelhouse, where all the controls are, I need a chain counter, but as I said I made my own, handy little gadget, before I had it, I would look in the chain locker after anchoring and guess!!

 

[Mirelle]

Now I understand

Actually flaking the chain out and painting the different bits is a task that I enjoy as a last stage of fitting out, but then I have a wooden boat so I enjoy that sort of thing!

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Now I understand

I also have a wooden boat, 48 tons of teak and iroko, bit of culumbian pine in big lumps sticking up in the air! The anchor windlass was built by the original owner in his engineering firm, to say it is massive is an understatement of massive proportions! With 5/8" chain and a 112lb anchor, I guess it needs toi be fairly big! But it takes up half my foredeck! I may replace it in another 35 years, it's lasted that long already, with a few drive belts and a new motor, plus a couple of the Austin A35 clutch slave cylinders, which operate the dog clutch and brake!!! I kid you not!

 

[MedMan]

Re: er..paint the links?

I use small-stuff with knots in: 1 knot at 10 metres, 2 at 20, 3 at 30 etc. I have a plain piece at 15, 25, 35 etc. Its simple and works well though, from time to time, one of the longer knotty pieces jams the chain in the hause pipe. Still, nothing's perfect!

 

[Mirelle]

Phew!

Only 12 tons of teak and oak, 7/16" chain, and a Reids of Paisley windlass as made for Claud Worth - also fairly massive, and going strong at 65 years of age. I have promised myself that one day soon I will convert it to hydraulic operation...

 

[pugwash]

I\'d love to be an Englander

"I anchor from the wheelhouse..." Is that gentlemen's yachting or what?

Just envious!

 

[pugwash]

I\'d love tobe an Englander

"I anchor from the wheelhouse..." Gentleman's yachting or what?

Sorry Colin, just envious!