Installing a windlass on Regal 2565- electrical or Manual winch ??

G

george unthank

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Jun 2012
Messages
152
Visit site
I am considering installing a windlass on my craft - Regal 2565 - as I'm too dam old to be hauling anchors .
The cockpit has a ''windlass'' switch . What does this mean ?
What types are available ?
Would I need a specially qualified person to install ?
I am thinking also of a ''manual windlass' if that's not an oxymoron.: by which I mean a winch type device - with gearing to take in slack chain fast : and more slowly when you are in the up/down position .
I see this having a distinct advantage when you are on your own and in no great hurry.
It wont run out of power because of running battery down.
You would get immense '' torque ''- Is it ? with a longish handle .
In fact I dont see any down side to a manual winch .
Anyone got particular views on where I stand at present ?
Perhaps some reader has experience of both - electric and manual.
My main worry about an electrical windlass is the probability oof fitting a new battery in the chain -cuddy .- Batt has to be near motor -Ohms law and all that ,I am assuming .

What is available out there
and how easy is it to install ?
Any views at all would be much appreciated .
G
 
Dont know how big your boat is but my sprint 21 has an electric winch for the chain and it runs of the standard domestic battery and seems to work well the few times i have used it, its quite a cable run from battery to winch i would guess 12/15 feet.


Lynall
 
George,

You may want to visit the Regal Owners Forum. There are quite a few folks there with the same boat as yours who can certainly be of assistance.

I happen to own a Regal as well.
Good luck,

Gary
 
Windlass electric v manual

Its a safety must!! The choice between electric and manual is probably dependent on how many times you plan on using an anchor for pleasure. Switch operated is convenient however if its only going to be used very occasionally prehaps manual will be more reliable.
 
Always assuming that your electrical supply is up to it. You should always do an electrical inventory and up grade as necessary before you install anything and don't forget to include voltage drop in any calculations.
 
george unthank said:
I am considering installing a windlass on my craft - Regal 2565 - as I'm too dam old to be hauling anchors .
The cockpit has a ''windlass'' switch . What does this mean ?
What types are available ?
Would I need a specially qualified person to install ?
I am thinking also of a ''manual windlass' if that's not an oxymoron.: by which I mean a winch type device - with gearing to take in slack chain fast : and more slowly when you are in the up/down position .
I see this having a distinct advantage when you are on your own and in no great hurry.
It wont run out of power because of running battery down.
You would get immense '' torque ''- Is it ? with a longish handle .
In fact I dont see any down side to a manual winch .
Anyone got particular views on where I stand at present ?
Perhaps some reader has experience of both - electric and manual.
My main worry about an electrical windlass is the probability oof fitting a new battery in the chain -cuddy .- Batt has to be near motor -Ohms law and all that ,I am assuming .

What is available out there
and how easy is it to install ?
Any views at all would be much appreciated .
G
Click to expand...


Electric every time for me. No effort required and don't need to leave the helm.

Fitting is straightforward for a competent DIY type.

Can use existing batteries, just need some hefty cable to counteract voltage drop. This is usually the best and cheapest option. Fitting a battery in the bow brings with it charging issues, although if your boat needs extra weight in the bow for better trim, a bow battery is a useful way of doing this.

I fitted a 300w windlass to a 25 foot boat and it was perfectly adequate although a 500w would be better.

You are probably looking at around £600 for a 500w Lewmar windlass. The 'Quick' range might be a little cheaper.
 
Windlass

Thank you Neale
My only apprehensions re the electric motor is the power demand on a motor to pull yourself into the wind and then dragging a hunk of mud , until it ''disolves'' into the water .
I have experienced dragging her by hand . The boat weighs about 3-4 tons ? - 2565 ( 27' Regal) and I can vouch that it is not easy . I am now 63 , in good health but this is dangerous exercise for someone of my age .
So it was almost counter-intuitive for me to think of an electric powered motor -given the demand .
I have obviously underestimated the capacity of electric motors .
This is very encouraging news. Thank you for submitting it to me .
Should I be thinking in terms of wattage as distinct to horsepower ?
And you feel a 500 w Lemar would suffice.
What about getting 'snagged' between rocks - I imagine it's the same as dislodging a fishing hook from the bottom ?
Again that's why I am inclined to think of a winch - It's just my old fashioned thinking .I would imaging a winch would generate v substantial torque - is that the same as ''pulling power'?
Thanks again
G
I'll look up this Lemar 500 w
 
lynall said:
Dont know how big your boat is but my sprint 21 has an electric winch for the chain and it runs of the standard domestic battery and seems to work well the few times i have used it, its quite a cable run from battery to winch i would guess 12/15 feet.


Lynall
Click to expand...

My boat is 27 feet long .
Would this present a problem running one of the 2 batts all the way from the engine to the bow - about 23 feet distance. The cable has to be as thick as batt leads I understand.
Would this distance suggest that I require an extra battery in the ''chain cuddy '' do you think ?
 
george unthank said:
Thank you Neale
My only apprehensions re the electric motor is the power demand on a motor to pull yourself into the wind and then dragging a hunk of mud , until it ''disolves'' into the water .
I have experienced dragging her by hand . The boat weighs about 3-4 tons ? - 2565 ( 27' Regal) and I can vouch that it is not easy . I am now 63 , in good health but this is dangerous exercise for someone of my age .
So it was almost counter-intuitive for me to think of an electric powered motor -given the demand .
I have obviously underestimated the capacity of electric motors .
This is very encouraging news. Thank you for submitting it to me .
Should I be thinking in terms of wattage as distinct to horsepower ?
And you feel a 500 w Lemar would suffice.
What about getting 'snagged' between rocks - I imagine it's the same as dislodging a fishing hook from the bottom ?
Again that's why I am inclined to think of a winch - It's just my old fashioned thinking .I would imaging a winch would generate v substantial torque - is that the same as ''pulling power'?
Thanks again
G
I'll look up this Lemar 500 w
Click to expand...

500w will be fine for a 27ft boat. As for pulling the boat to the anchor, you don't. What you do is slowly motor towards the anchor, winding up the chain as you go. When the boat us directly above the anchor it should break out easily with the vertical pull. If it gets fouled it's no different to manual operation. Keep trying usual remedies until it either comes free of you have to cut it loose.
 
george unthank said:
My boat is 27 feet long .
Would this present a problem running one of the 2 batts all the way from the engine to the bow - about 23 feet distance. The cable has to be as thick as batt leads I understand.
Would this distance suggest that I require an extra battery in the ''chain cuddy '' do you think ?
Click to expand...

Yes you will need some thick cables, probably something in the region of 70mm2 at a rough guess, but this is still simpler than installing a battery in the bow and then working out a way of charging it. You can't just run a small charging wire because if the bow battery runs flat you may find that the whole current tries to come down the small charging wire. This means you either end up with big charging wires anyway or you need to invest in some clever dc/dc charging system like the Echo Charge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top