Manual Anchor Windlass?

[trevor_loveday]

As the LIBS approaches, I am considering windlasses and am drawn to the simplicity of a manual windlass for the extra help. Are they worth it, or not a substitute for an electric version?

Like others, I prefer simplicity and would rather not have the additional h/d wiring or extra battery for an electric version.

The boat is 31ft, 4 tons and has a 10Kg Delta and a 12Kg CQR, both on around 7m of 7/16 chain and 30m of 15mm anchorplait. The boat is expected to launch next year so I don't have practical experience of kit this heavy (smaller boat experience up to now) but, being reasonably fit, would expect to manage without any help most of the time. Is this realistic?

Thanks.

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[Talbot]

Depends on the following:

How often do you anchor?

What conditions will you anchor in?

Do You anchor when single handed?

What is your definition of reasonably fit? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Your boat is similar in size and weight/anchor/chain to mine. I am reasonably fit (my definition - can walk up 3 flights of steps without needing oxygen) I will be fitting an electric windlass this winter! (Lofrans Airon)


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[trevor_loveday]

Talbot, thanks for your view. In answer to your questions: -

* How often - around 15-20 times per season.
* Conditions - East Coast, inlets, creeks, etc.
* Usually not single handed.
* Definition of reasonably fit - I regularly run up three floors at work (six flights of stairs, taking two steps at a time) without breaking into a sweat or breathing hard (it's the only regular exercise I get!), and completed the London Marathon last year with very little practice (excepting above). Don't smoke, drink sensibly, etc. I guess I'm modest about my fitness. I'm 43.

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[Talbot]

I would consider that you are unlikely to NEED an electric windlass for a few more years, unless single handed anchoring becomes important to you.

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[Birdseye]

all that a manual windlass achieves is to reduce the effort by prolonging it ie you do exactly as much work, but its lighter and over a longer period. rather like the gearing on a bike.

so if you're short of cash or have other priorities for cash - get a manual windlass. otherwise, an electric one is much better.

why? because you wont hesitate to re-anchor for the third time if necessary - and it sometimes is. and your wife / partner / live in lover can also raise the anchor, not just you. because it is much quicker to operate. and for the same reason you have an engine rather than use a sweep over the stern - it makes life easier.

complication? not really. the wiring is easy and the kit (if well installed) is reliable. not as reliable as manual, but good enough.

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[bob26]

I guess fitness is a factor - but even the fittest can strain muscles and backs etc which is quite likely to happen when hauling in the anchor on a heavy vessel, particularly in a blow in my experience.

Muddy chain is not particularly pleasant to handle either.

I have had manual windlasses on both my previous two boats - electric ones were too expensive and complicated for me to contemplate.

On a boat your size for a weedy bloke with a dodgy back like me a windlass is essential. I don't think an electric one is essential though. It depends if you've got everything else I guess. Even though I sail singlehanded from time to time I wouldn't put an electric windlass very high on my own list of priorities - but then I'm pretty dubious about electric lighting in boats!

I consulted my back doctor on what sort to buy and he was adamant that the horizontal axis type where you work a lever backwards and forwards is better for the spine and joints than the vertical axis type where you have to stretch to turn the handle. They are a bit slow but require little effort - even women and children can do it! And who is in a hurry if you have crew to manage the anchor, or the tiller if you tackle it yourself.

Easy or Self-stowing of the anchor is also important in my view as manhandling aboard the hook required for a vessel of this size - past the stemhead and forestay etc - just as you are getting underway is another recipe for self-injury...

The Lofrans Royal was simple, easy to use, didn't require a second mortgage and is virtually maintenance free. I'd happily fit a third one though there may be better options now. But you PYM&TYC as always.


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[oldsalt]

I have a manual windlass, but intelligent use of the engine means that it's probably not worth the expense (30 footer, lots of anchoring). Often I bypass it (even in strong winds) and pull the chain up manually as its faster.

However, I would love an electric one....

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[stretch33]

My boat is 6 tons and l have a Lofrans Royal manual windlass - Sail most of the time s/h and anchor most weekends (do use moorings if there available) Find the windlass ideal and agree with the post about pulling back and forth on the lever - much better than turning a handle. From your post l would say a manual one would be fine. Makes pulling it up from the East coast mud much easier.

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[LadyInBed]

With only 7 mtrs of chain, if you have an available winch on the mast, you could probably pull 3 mtrs of chain up onto deck by just winching the anchorplat.
If you had 50 mtrs of chain, that’s a different story.


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[timevans2000]

I have a nice old SL 555. It always works although it spends a lot of its life under/in sea water. Friends with electric winches seem to have problems with reliability. If long term reliability is an issue consider a manual winch. They may keep you fit!

Depends what you want cos they are about the same price

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[BlueSkyNick]

Trevor,

I agree with Birdseye. You are fit and strong enough to man-handle the anchor on your boat. However, as you are still fitting her out from new, I'd suggest the best possible option at the beginning, if its affordable.

We have a manual windlass on a bigger boat, which is manageable with just SWMBO and myself on board, under normal conditions. However, its no fun when the wind picks up, and you have to reset the anchor in a crowded anchorage, in the middle of the night (speaking from experience!).

<hr width=100% size=1>People who think they know it all are very annoying to those of us that do.

 

[Robin]

Your anchor tackle is light and you can almost certainly manage without a windlass, but if you fit anything at all then go for electric not manual. We had a Simpson Lawrence manual on our last boat, it was so slow that it was only used as a last resort to break out a stubborn anchor from the mud (45lb CQR on all chain). It eventually seized solid from lack of use! We replaced it with a Lofrans Caymen electric one and oh what bliss! Fast enough to power the anchor down as well as up, re-anchoring if not perfectly placed first time was no longer a pain even in bad weather. All or nothing IMHO.

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[Paulka]

Here is what I wrote some time ago :
"For the very same reasons - geting younger with every day, and the back growing stiff! - I decided to replace my manual windlasss (Lofrans Royal) which I nearly never used, for an electrical Lofrans Cayman.
It was a revelation, and I really regret I didn't so years earlier.
I would not recommend to go for a manual windlass, as the effort remain the same, and the back's suffering as well.
It's really amazing just pushing a button, and seeing the chain and anchor comming home effortless.
Go for the electrical, it's real comfort."

I didn't change my mind yet!

Paul


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