Dropping the anchor from cokcpit

[cmedsailor]

Sometimes when dropping the anchor alone I cannot leave the helm so I would like to have the ability to do this from there. Any suggestions of specific products (remote controls or some sort of button control at the helm) to enable me to do this?
I have seen some Lewmar remote controls but have no idea how much they cost (or how they are installed). I need something simple, just to drop and lift the anchor, nothing fancy like chain counter etc.
Thanks

 

[prv]

eBay is awash with remote controls intended for the winches on the front of off-roading vehicles. Cost around ten to twenty quid depending on features, and I think would work pretty well for an anchor windlass. I've bought one (with two chunky remotes with buttons labeled "up" and "down" - some have keyfob type remotes with various button labels) but not yet fitted it.

All that said, I'm not convinced it's really necessary to be able to work the anchor from the helm. It doesn't take that long to get from foredeck to cockpit or vice versa, and how far will the boat really have drifted in the meantime? I'm fitting my remote to replace a couple of baulky foot-switches rather than to operate from a distance. I need to manually clear the chain several times during a typical lift anyway.

Pete

 

[cmedsailor]

eBay is awash with remote controls intended for the winches on the front of off-roading vehicles. Cost around ten to twenty quid depending on features, and I think would work pretty well for an anchor windlass. I've bought one (with two chunky remotes with buttons labeled "up" and "down" - some have keyfob type remotes with various button labels) but not yet fitted it.

All that said, I'm not convinced it's really necessary to be able to work the anchor from the helm. It doesn't take that long to get from foredeck to cockpit or vice versa, and how far will the boat really have drifted in the meantime? I'm fitting my remote to replace a couple of baulky foot-switches rather than to operate from a distance. I need to manually clear the chain several times during a typical lift anyway.

Pete

I sometimes drop anchor at crossed winds and then secure the stern using a chain/rope tied around a rock at the sea bottom. That's the reason I need to operate it from the helm. Lifting it, yes, I also need to clear it so I don't really expect to do this.
10-20 quid? That sounds interesting. Worth trying it. Any specific links?
Thanks

 

[bigwow]

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...ote-control&highlight=windlass+remote+control

 

[macd]

As a former single-hander I wouldn't be without cockpit operation, but not principally to facilitate dropping the hook. If you drag or otherwise need to clear out of somewhere in a blow, you want to be at the helm, not faffing around on the foredeck (although I had foot buttons there, too) while you career sideways into god-knows-what.

My cockpit control was hard-wired, with a Lofrans switch. However, I've just put one on the new boat, made by Quick (the switch, not the boat): most chandlers seem to have something similar. And yes, running the cables wasn't fun...but at least I knew they'd work, unlike the temperamental radio remote.

 

[BobnLesley]

How 'simple' do you want it? We have a hard-wired cockpit operating switch (Lewmar I think) which we use 100 times for every once the hand-held bow switch gets hooked-up; alternatively: Pull out sufficient anchor chain onto the foredeck, run the anchor and the first few metres of chain down the side-deck (outside everything - just tuck a bight onto the deck in between each stanchion) and then hang the anchor onto the cockpit guard-wire, motor a boat-length further forward than you might normally, then just tip the anchor over from the helm position.

 

[Roberto]

And yes, running the cables wasn't fun...

one of my best top tips: when you run the cable from the windlass to the cockpit, make sure it's a three-wire cable and not just bipolar *before* spending one full afternoon dismantling half the boat, scratching knuckles and using muscles you never thought you had

 

[typhoonNige]

Just fitted one of the ebay wireless winch controls . Came with two not very weatherproof remotes but it works through drop boards, closed cabin door and a few stored sails. Useful bit of kit while it lasts and only £24.95

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150998199514?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[GHA]

Maplins garage door remote in parallel onto the solenoid has worked fine for many years now. Wouldn't be without it singlehanded.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Just fitted one of the ebay wireless winch controls . Came with two not very weatherproof remotes but it works through drop boards, closed cabin door and a few stored sails. Useful bit of kit while it lasts and only £24.95

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150998199514?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal...t=UK_Home_Garden_Doors_LE&hash=item2ec498e470

£6.19 post free! ………and they work - I've bought three.

However, I would still use hard wiring.