Manual anchor winch

[Cactus Sailing]

I can imagine hand pulling in an anchor against tide and wind will be a nightmare hence why I'm thinking of a winch

I am trying to find a manual anchor winch something like this

Or any other suggestions for pulling up an anchor not using you hands so to speak, a manual winch into the locker is fine, I've discounted electric just because I'd rather not install this myself pulling in cables etc, unless there are boatyards around which fit for fixed prices? Although the proposed boat I will be buying will require a locked shelf to mount the anchor windlass on so this may get expensive

 

[Kelpie]

I do like my manual windlass. Came with the boat though, so no idea how much they cost!
On my previous boat I was going to fit, but didn't get round to, a 'pawl'- basically a one way stopper for your anchor chain. Cost about £30 and bolts to the deck aft of the roller. You still have to do all the lifting, but you won't lose any chain when you stop to cleat off. At the price, has to be worth a go.

 

[Kelpie]

This sort of thing:

https://seamarknunn.com/acatalog/an...bLQvYT3b5VoMGqz5fWVRE3qKCcMEKH4LSsaAtCn8P8HAQ

 

[Neeves]

I'm not sure why you have an aversion to an electric winch. They are relatively easy to install, most come with easy to read and understand instructions. You will anchor more often if you do not need to haul in by hand.

What size of yacht, chain and anchor.

Jonathan

 

[Cactus Sailing]

I'm not sure why you have an aversion to an electric winch. They are relatively easy to install, most come with easy to read and understand instructions. You will anchor more often if you do not need to haul in by hand.

What size of yacht, chain and anchor.

Jonathan

32ft, yes they're relatively easy to install but running cable through the boat and putting back fittings and fixtures etc will be a pain, also there is no shelf in the locker to support the winch I would need a plate glassing in which again is more money and beyond my skills, electrical wise I'm fine with that but again pulling cables in is why I quit being an electrician about 15 years ago if a boatyard fit it and it wasn't a silly cost I would just go electric

 

[Tranona]

Can't see your picture, but assume it is either a vetus or a Lofrans horizontal windlass. You will find that terribly limiting, particularly on a boat your size if you do frequent anchoring. Very slow and only marginally better than by hand.

If you are keeping the boat, bite the bullet and go electric - you won't regret it.

 

[Trop Cher]

32ft, yes they're relatively easy to install but running cable through the boat and putting back fittings and fixtures etc will be a pain, also there is no shelf in the locker to support the winch I would need a plate glassing in which again is more money and beyond my skills, electrical wise I'm fine with that but again pulling cables in is why I quit being an electrician about 15 years ago if a boatyard fit it and it wasn't a silly cost I would just go electric

Even if you do go manual, you'd still need to have shelve to put it on, so you're going to have that expense either way. At 32ft, I'd also go electric, as I believe that you'd soon regret wasting cash on a manual windlass. Also by going electric, you can buy a small remote control off ebay for under a tenner and that will again improve your anchoring experience.

 

[Cactus Sailing]

Thanks everyone, you're prob right I should go electric but means I need to somehow work out how to fit it here!

 

[Malabarista]

Sorry unable to post a photo but mine sits just aft of the anchor well and leads the chain to a different locker. Probably doesn't help much huh?

 

[Mister E]

I was forced to remove the locker lid and then fixed a thick aluminum plate to just over half of it. I then mounted the windlass on that.
I then made another plate that I hinged to cover the reat.

 

[johnalison]

I don't know what the boat is, but if it has a class association there is probably someone who has done this before. It looks to me as if the windlass will need to sit on a modification of the shelf shown, and a cut-out made in the lid.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

If you have the room (and the budget), I'd also recommend going for electric, the experience the first time I used one was an epiphany. What a difference. I suggest you fit a dedicated battery near the windlass. Wiring along the boat will be much easier, you will only need to run low capacity charging cables down to the bow from your charging arrangements (which may need updating to suit). The mounting plate and strengthening for an electric would not be much different from that required for a manual.

 

[Kelpie]

A manual windlass needs enough room to swing the handle back and forth- that might be an issue if it's mounted lower than the deck.
Whilst I do like my manual windlass, an electric one would get the chain up considerably faster, I think. That could be a big advantage in tight spots and/or singlehanded.

 

[Neeves]

If you put up a cross section of images of your locker and whatever is behind it you will enjoy some decent advise on how and where to instal a manual or electric windlass. As has been mentioned if you instal a manual you will still need a robust shelf and space - so you need to address that issue -whatever you do. Again if you are twitchy about doing the fibre glass work yourself - you will receive some decent advise here. Its really not difficult. If you mention where you are located you might find a forum member who can give more detailed advise - on site.

I will not comment on installation of a dedicated battery (but I think it unnecessary expense, just go for heavier duty cables (and maybe beef up the house batteries). You will use the windlass with engine running anyway.

Running cables is a one off job and for the very reasons you gave up the role of an electrician most sparkies don't like doing it either. Its time consuming, unskilled, but if you get someone else to do it - expensive. Most of the time a monkey could do it - but you will pay the rates for a skilled man (and as you were an electrician you know what they will be). I don't know the yacht - but running cables up under the cabin sole through the bilges seems an easy option.

Again as said - using an electric windlass is one of the major attributes of heaven - you might even enjoy anchoring!

You need to define how heavy an anchor you are using and the size of the chain. If its 10mm chain its far too big (and heavy) and would be a nightmare to retrieve by hand.

To me, sitting 8,000nm away, its a nice little project. All you need is time and patience.

Jonathan

 

[Poignard]

A manual windlass needs enough room to swing the handle back and forth- that might be an issue if it's mounted lower than the deck.
Whilst I do like my manual windlass, an electric one would get the chain up considerably faster, I think. That could be a big advantage in tight spots and/or singlehanded.

If it's a Lofrans Royale (or any other horizontal windlass) there is also the amount of "wrap" to consider. To guard against the possibility of the chain jumping off the whelps of the barrel the wrap should be at least 90°.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks everyone, you're prob right I should go electric but means I need to somehow work out how to fit it here!

You wouldn't try to fit it in the locker. It would be fitted more or less at deck level and the lid modified, so the windlass would be visible with the lid closed. Look around your marina and you'll see how others are fitted.

A note on anchor retrieval, because it isn't best done how you describe in post #1. You wouldn't normally just haul the anchor up against wind and or tide (or even with no wind and or tide). Dragging a 32ft boat along with a windlass, manual or electric, is making it hard for for the equipment. You have a crew member slowly motor the boat forward and use the windlass to retrieve the slack chain. Once directly over the anchor it's easy to break it out, if it resists unduly put the boat in reverse and pull it out with the engine.

 

[Neeves]

A note on anchor retrieval, because it isn't best done how you describe in post #1. You wouldn't normally just haul the anchor up against wind and or tide (or even with no wind and or tide). Dragging a 32ft boat along with a windlass, manual or electric, is making it hard for for the equipment. You have a crew member slowly motor the boat forward and use the windlass to retrieve the slack chain. Once directly over the anchor it's easy to break it out, if it resists unduly put the boat in reverse and pull it out with the engine.[/QUOTE).



If it works for you - go for it!

We prefer motoring forward, retrieving the chain until the chain is vertical and if the anchor will not break free then:

Either,

Let wave action break it free, the up and down of the bow

or

Keep moving forward and retrieve the anchor backwards.

If you go into reverse, there is a chance you set the anchor even more deeply (after all - with a bit more chain - that's how you set it).

Jonathan