Electric windlasses

georgeo

georgeo

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I have specified an electric windlass for the nouveau bateau arriving next May, basically to save stress all round, particularly when SWMBO is on anchor duty! A Quick 100w unit is the standard for this boat. Has anybody got any views on this unit in particular? Also, worth of remote control (for in cockpit use when solo) and integral chain counter. Thanks
 
Need lots more info on boat size, anchor size, chain calibre etc etc

If you specify a control only for cockpit use you will soon wreck the gear/your boat / someone's feet etc. You must have control at the raising position.

PWG
 
35 foot RM1050, weight laden about 6 tonnes, 15 kg Rocna, cant tell you about chain diameter etc yet, but can say any remote would be definitely for 'secondary' use with prime controls, as you say, at the raising position. thanks
 
Can't comment on the Quick (I have an excellent Lofrans Cayman), except that size is OK. For control, my preference is for an industrial type up and down control on a wander lead coming thru the forehatch. This keeps the electrical connection in the warm and dry and the lead away from the capstan. The standard Bavaria (my boat) arrangement has the connection in the locker and the lead dangling waiting to be caught up with the chain. Other installations have foot switches which are OK except that you have to operate them from a fixed position.

As to remotes, the best option IMHO is the radio remote from Coastline Technologies. This operates independently from the standard control and is portable. I have a bracket for mine at the helm and can carry the control unit anywhere on the boat. Much cheaper and more flexible than wiring controls at the helm. Best of both worlds.
 
Size seems OK. Yor boat and anchor seem of similar size to ours. I'd second the advice on remotes: any electrics in the anchor well will be well exposed to corrosion and need to be looked after. I would not go for a radio-controlled one myself. I can see that it is a good candidate for going diving at the wrong moment! Much better having it connected by a cable to the hull.
 
Remotes should always be handled by the same person who is handling the chain.

If not there is the potential for injury if up/down is inappropriately selected when fingers etc, are near the chain!

At least a foot operated switch is less likely to cause damage in this way, although I guess far from foolproof.

I think there was a thread on here a while back about this issue.
 
Re the controls. I have both. The hard wired wander lead at the bow does most of the work. Radio remote (on a lanyard round neck) is used when single handed or when adjusting the chain tension when moored stern to. Agree only one person should operate windlass at any one time.

Forgot to mention Coastline also do nifty coloured cable ties to mark chain lengths. Effective and cheap
 
With 60 metres of 8 mm chain and a 16 kg Delta My 850W Maxwell never has a problem in hoisting it all aboard. Your 1000 W should easily cope. I have up/down controls on a switch at the helm and foot buttons at the anchor locker. This seems to be an excellent combination in the Med, where we use the forward buttons for normal anchoring and the switch at the helm when berthing stern-to.
 
Sorry if I seemed in any way critical, just a friend lost the end of his finger this year.

The OP did say for single handed use, but I felt worth making the point?
 
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