do you need 2 windlass controls?

[Oscarpop]

New windlass is being installed with a remote in the anchor locker.
There is an option to have a rocker switch at the helm. Is there any real advantage to this, for instance with stern mooring in the med?

On the last boat we had a rocker at the helm and never used it.

Cheers

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

I am a mere amateur but I would say YES.

It has to be handy.
Short handed sailing, worrying about paying out a bit more whilst faffing, adjusting whilst Med Mooring, etc etc,

 

[Tranona]

Best setup is a remote on a wander lead up forward - through the hatch with connections in the forecabin and a radio remote which can be used at the helm. Avoid foot switches and any connections in the anchor locker. When you get to the Med, or when singlehanding you will bless the flexibility this combination gives you.

 

[nigelmercier]

There is an option to have a rocker switch at the helm. Is there any real advantage to this, for instance with stern mooring in the med?

I've built a wireless remote for mine, so I can use it anywhere, including from the bar on the quay when the ferry comes in! Very handy if you want to pull away from the quay and your gangplank isn't as long as you would like.

 

[Jamesuk]

I've built a wireless remote for mine, so I can use it anywhere, including from the bar on the quay when the ferry comes in! Very handy if you want to pull away from the quay and your gangplank isn't as long as you would like.

Soun excellent what have you used hardware wise. Iwould love that.

To answer the original question then yes short handed it's very useful. Solo sIling a 57ft Bristol I once had to anchor and without the remote switch I would have been having a bit too much fun free dropping it. Quick on stern lines and then forward to sort lines out.

We also had a counter that let me know every 5 metres of chain went out.

 

[nimbusgb]

If you're asking what remote I think quite a few of us have fitted winch remotes obtained off eBay like this one.

As to your question, is a button at the helm worth it?

You betcha!

 

[duncan99210]

That's the one. Made life much easier, especially as the original control connection was in the chain locker and was forever getting banged about and soaked. Easy to fit as well.

 

[Conachair]

If you're asking what remote I think quite a few of us have fitted winch remotes obtained off eBay like this one.

As to your question, is a button at the helm worth it?

You betcha!

+1. though mine's a garage door remote from maplins, perrt much the same thing. Really useful, on a lanyard have a look over the bow, wander back to the cockpit.

 

[homer]

Definitely handy stern mooring, especially if, like us, you are centre cockpit as, when at the controls, you cannot reach far enough back to chuck the stern lines and so the (one and only crew) needs to be back there. I installed one of the £17 ebay remotes this year and it works a treat.

 

[vyv_cox]

I don't have a problem with foot switches, we've had the same ones for more than 10 years, no problems at all. There are times when it is useful to use them, mostly when anchoring in open water.

When berthing stern-to I use a switch adjacent to the Morse control. Invaluable, as once the anchor has been lowered to around water level as we enter the harbour there is no requirement for the crew to go forward. I can stop the windlass as we approach the berth to ensure the anchor is in, then motor astern against the anchor adjusting the rode to just the right position while the crew takes the lines ashore.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

We have a Lewmar windlass and a Sidepower bow thruster. The Lewmar remote control operates both. I would definitely go wireless remote.

 

[Lakesailor]

I've not had a windlass so I may be talking through my arse here, but isn't it a bit dangerous to have two independent controls?
The scenario of trying to unjam a twist or clear some weed or something and someone way aft jabbing the button............

 

[Blueboatman]

Theoretically dangerous indeed with enthusiastic multiple crew, therefore the wireless only is the way to go ( with spare transmitter on a string, spare batteries ahem).

In the real world I anchor from the helm ( where you are reversing and setting the anchor) and hoist from the bow-to pause and clear weed etc as it comes up. Or foot off the boat ahead wot has anchored on top of your anchor!

Also unless you have a posh chaincounter remote ( an idea for OscarP perhaps?), you will need to go forward anyway when almost done anchoring in order to verify the amount of chain let out. And readjust for loading up the snatch hook and line which takes the strain off the windlass once anchored.

(Apologies if preaching to those wot know all this)

The electric handling of the anchor gear is def my favourite shorthanded toy that I have installed.

 

[dje67]

Another vote for helm control

New windlass is being installed with a remote in the anchor locker.
There is an option to have a rocker switch at the helm. Is there any real advantage to this, for instance with stern mooring in the med?

On the last boat we had a rocker at the helm and never used it.

Cheers

I had the typical raise and lower footswitches on the windlass. Had 2 fail over the course of 6 months, so decided to rewire the windlass controls so that I had a hand-held, plug-in remote at the bow and a wireless remote (from ebay). Don;t think I've ever used the plug-in remote as the wireless is so convenient; can use it from anywhere and no cable to get caught round the chain whilst toppling the chain pile in the locker.

I single-hand quite often and wouldn't be without a means of controlling the windlass from the helm. I nearly always drop the hook under power from the helm. When hauling in, I bring in all but the last few meters of chain, leaving the hook still dug-in, then return to the helm for the final break-out - so much less stressful than running the length of the boat as soon as the bow breaks free!

I've often wondered whether all these wireless remotes all operate on the same radio frequency - it would be interesting to cruise round a busy anchorage pressing the wireless remote and see how many boats start moving....

 

[Conachair]

I've not had a windlass so I may be talking through my arse here, but isn't it a bit dangerous to have two independent controls?
The scenario of trying to unjam a twist or clear some weed or something and someone way aft jabbing the button............

Easy to avoid. Sail single handed or don't give the remote to an idiot.

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

I've often wondered whether all these wireless remotes all operate on the same radio frequency - it would be interesting to cruise round a busy anchorage pressing the wireless remote and see how many boats start moving....

I was just about to point to that too !

Imagine having a nice sundowner on the beach, admiring your fine vessel and you see your anchor chain getting hauled in !!

 

[concentrik]

.

AFAIK each transmitter/receiver pair has a preset code determined by DIP switch settings or solder links on the respective circuit boards. Typically these are six position which gives 720 possible combinations (is that right Sir?....). The range is pretty limited too, so you'd be unlucky to 'snag' someone else's transmissions. Even so, my winch power is OFF when not in use....

 

[nigelmercier]

II've often wondered whether all these wireless remotes all operate on the same radio frequency - it would be interesting to cruise round a busy anchorage pressing the wireless remote and see how many boats start moving....

They operate in the same frequency range, but they are coded, like car locking fobs.

 

[noelex]

Its a good idea to turn your anchor winch off when not in use. Apart from the safety concerns already mentioned, a lot of motors develop some grounding with the casing (and therefore the anchor chain) as they age and build up carbon deposits. This can lead to stray current problems.
Isolate the negative and positive if possible.

 

[nigelmercier]

Its a good idea to turn your anchor winch off when not in use...

Have you been sneaking onto my boat while I'm anchored? Someone keeps doing this, and it drives me ****ing mad!