Horizontal or Vertical?

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NormanS

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This is earnest searching after truth. In a current post, a poster states that he has a horizontal windlass. What is the convention? With a horizontal shaft, the gypsy is vertical, and with a vertical shaft, the gypsy is horizontal. I don't want to clutter up the original post, so I'm asking here. What is meant by a "horizontal windlass"?
 
Tranona said:
Not sure why you are asking such a basic question. "horizontal" means the axis is horizontal - at least that is the convention all the makers use as Poingard illustrates in his 2 posts.. Really surprised you cannot work that out for yourself.
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Not sure why you are being so rude. The reason for asking the question is to find out the answer. Really surprised you cannot work that out for yourself.
 
alan_d said:
Not sure why you are being so rude. The reason for asking the question is to find out the answer. Really surprised you cannot work that out for yourself.
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Not being rude at all. The poster claims to be an "expert" on anchoring (see his many posts on the subject) - hence the surprise at asking such a very basic question.

He asked if there was a convention and a simple check on how the makers (consistently) differentiate would have given him the answer.
 
NormanS said:
In a current post, a poster states that he has a horizontal windlass. What is the convention?
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Knowing the convention is helpful, but that does not mean the other poster is themselves aware of it and using the term consistent with it. If the orientation is germane to the issue then it is certainly worth verifying.
 
alan_d said:
Not sure why you are being so rude. The reason for asking the question is to find out the answer. Really surprised you cannot work that out for yourself.
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It's alright, I'm accustomed to tran's rudness. Water off a duck's back as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks to those who have helped in my quest.
 
Tranona said:
Not sure why you are asking such a basic question. "horizontal" means the axis is horizontal - at least that is the convention all the makers use as Poingard illustrates in his 2 posts.. Really surprised you cannot work that out for yourself.
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There was no need for you to respond to Norman's question in that patronising way.

In fact there was no need for you to respond at all, since you had nothing useful to add.
 
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Tranona said:
Not being rude at all. The poster claims to be an "expert" on anchoring (see his many posts on the subject) - hence the surprise at asking such a very basic question.

He asked if there was a convention and a simple check on how the makers (consistently) differentiate would have given him the answer.
Click to expand...
There you go again. At no time and place have I ever claimed to be an "expert" in anything. I do have a fair bit of experience in successful anchoring, with many different designs and sizes of anchors and boats. Yes, anchoring is a subject that I find interesting, and I suppose that I have posted about it quite a lot. That's what happens in a forum.
Please find a post from me, in which I claim to be an "expert ", or else retract your statement.
As far as the convention about horizontal or vertical is concerned, is it not a good thing to bring it to attention, so that everyone is aware?
 
NormanS said:
This is earnest searching after truth. In a current post, a poster states that he has a horizontal windlass. What is the convention? With a horizontal shaft, the gypsy is vertical, and with a vertical shaft, the gypsy is horizontal. I don't want to clutter up the original post, so I'm asking here. What is meant by a "horizontal windlass"?
Click to expand...
In all the ships, in all seas, I ever sailed. A Windlass has a vertical gypsy and a Cable Lifter is horizontal. :ROFLMAO:
 
Tranona said:
Not sure why you are asking such a basic question. "horizontal" means the axis is horizontal - at least that is the convention all the makers use as Poingard illustrates in his 2 posts.. Really surprised you cannot work that out for yourself.
Click to expand...
I don't think I'll be asking any more questions if that is the non-helpful response 🙈
 
NormanS said:
This is earnest searching after truth. In a current post, a poster states that he has a horizontal windlass. What is the convention? With a horizontal shaft, the gypsy is vertical, and with a vertical shaft, the gypsy is horizontal. I don't want to clutter up the original post, so I'm asking here. What is meant by a "horizontal windlass"?
Click to expand...

Being pedantic about it, there is no such thing as a vertical axis windlass, and 'horizontal windlass' is tautological. From the Wikipedia page on capstans...

A capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on sailing ships to multiply the pulling force of sailors when hauling ropes, cables, and hawsers. The principle is similar to that of the windlass, which has a horizontal axle.
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I would have thought that any forum expert here would have known that. :)
 
Tranona said:
Not sure why you are asking such a basic question. "horizontal" means the axis is horizontal - at least that is the convention all the makers use as Poingard illustrates in his 2 posts.. Really surprised you cannot work that out for yourself.
Click to expand...

Never assume. Different people make different interpretations.
 
Must admit I’ve always thought it the wrong way round. To me it’s more intuitive to think of the gypsy’s orientation as the descriptor.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
Being pedantic about it, there is no such thing as a vertical axis windlass, and 'horizontal windlass' is tautological. From the Wikipedia page on capstans...



I would have thought that any forum expert here would have known that. :)
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My original Maxwell windlass was vertical by their description. When we found ourselves permanently berthed in a Greek marina equipped with lazy lines we often needed to haul the line in with some strength. We then sold the windlass and bought another, with a chain gypsy and a rope capstan above. Again, their description
 
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