Manual capstan

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Wansworth

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Looking at the arrangement on my Albin Vega it may be difficult to get a good pull on the anchour chain.Are there any manual capstans for small boats,the ones I have seen all seem to be electric,thanks
 
Vetus used to make a manual horizontal axis windlass, but seem to have stopped. Best option is to try and find a secondhand SL Anchorman. Lots made in the past and they often come up when people upgrade to electric
 
Second the Anchorman suggestion; I got one, and it is just what is wanted for my Moody 31. The main advantages are:
  1. Vertical axis, so can be mounted on the centreline (horizontal axis winches have to be mounted so the gypsy is close to the centreline)
  2. Low profile on deck; less to snag on sheets, sails etc.
  3. Simple mounting
  4. The vertical axis also means that the chain leads FORWARD from the gypsy; ideal when the winch has to be mounted aft of the anchor locker.

Drawbacks are simply that it is a manual winch, so it needs a bit of sweat to use it, and also the mechanical advantage isn't much - perhaps 3 or 4 to one, depending on how long a sheet winch handle you use. The length of the handle is, of course, limited by the space available and the length of your arms! A horizontal axis winch can use a longer lever, and so can have a greater mechanical advantage (but slower chain recovery).
 
The advantage of vertical axle windlasses are compact size, greater wrapround of the chain, faster recovery. Disadvantage is awkward operating position (you have to bend or sit)
Advantage of horizontal axle is easier operating position (standing up) easier recovery. Disadvantages only 90degree wrapround, bulkier unit (but can be used as a cleat), slower recovery
Of the two types I'd go for a horizontal if I had room.
 
I picked up an SL Hyspeed at a boat jumble for a tenner. It was siezed, but it's basically bike gear internals and was an easy fix. I reckon it owes me about £50 all in. Here it is recently fitted to my Sabre...also 27'. I needed to make a new king plank but it all looks good and I am looking forward to doing a bit more anchoring! Word of warning...don't forget you will need calibrated chain too. My old stuff was about knackered so it needed replacing anyway.

7029342763_4ba44b2eb9.jpg
 
AntarcticPilot said:
Second the Anchorman suggestion; I got one, and it is just what is wanted for my Moody 31. The main advantages are:
  1. Vertical axis, so can be mounted on the centreline (horizontal axis winches have to be mounted so the gypsy is close to the centreline)
  2. Low profile on deck; less to snag on sheets, sails etc.
  3. Simple mounting
  4. The vertical axis also means that the chain leads FORWARD from the gypsy; ideal when the winch has to be mounted aft of the anchor locker.

Drawbacks are simply that it is a manual winch, so it needs a bit of sweat to use it, and also the mechanical advantage isn't much - perhaps 3 or 4 to one, depending on how long a sheet winch handle you use. The length of the handle is, of course, limited by the space available and the length of your arms! A horizontal axis winch can use a longer lever, and so can have a greater mechanical advantage (but slower chain recovery).
Click to expand...

The problem with the arrangement on the Vega is the furling gear is in line with the lead from the bow channel so it would be impossible to pull standing up.A capstan ,vertical, axix will be small and positionable to be able to lead the chain forwards to the existing chain hawse to the locker.As an observation ther baltic boats dont seem that well organized for anchouring,still a small matter.
 
Or, how's about a seamanlike alternative? You probably have no more than a 25lb anchor and the only difficult bit during recovery is breaking the anchor out.

A chain hook and a simple handy billy would reduce the load by a factor of 3, and you probably have all the components that you would need already, otherwise no more that a tenner at a boat jumble.

A single standing line looped over a sheet winch and then carried forward would be an ideal anchor point for the standing part of the tackle, put the hook onto the chain as far forward as you can reach and haul away.
 
maxi said:
Or, how's about a seamanlike alternative? You probably have no more than a 25lb anchor and the only difficult bit during recovery is breaking the anchor out.

A chain hook and a simple handy billy would reduce the load by a factor of 3, and you probably have all the components that you would need already, otherwise no more that a tenner at a boat jumble.

A single standing line looped over a sheet winch and then carried forward would be an ideal anchor point for the standing part of the tackle, put the hook onto the chain as far forward as you can reach and haul away.
Click to expand...

No the problem is that standing up to pull and recover anchour the furling ger gets in the way of the line of pull,so to speak.I have seem
n on another Albin Vega the anchour roller set outboard on a small platform,this gets round the problem but then theres the problem of it sticking out and the fasteneing of same.A vertical capstan would mean I could neel down or even sit and wind in the anchour and the chain would carry on round the capstan to the chain locker right up in the bows.Certainly a handy billy would be usefull in recovering a really stuck anchour-
 
mogy said:
No the problem is that standing up to pull and recover anchour the furling ger gets in the way of the line of pull,so to speak.I have seem
n on another Albin Vega the anchour roller set outboard on a small platform,this gets round the problem but then theres the problem of it sticking out and the fasteneing of same.A vertical capstan would mean I could neel down or even sit and wind in the anchour and the chain would carry on round the capstan to the chain locker right up in the bows.Certainly a handy billy would be usefull in recovering a really stuck anchour-
Click to expand...

Ah yes....err your suggestion would indeed be an answer!
 
Having had a SL Anchorman vertical axis manual windlass I found that there was not enough leverage on the short winch type handle to deal with any length of chain or wind or current on the boat. Not too bad if you have someone on the helm to use the engine to take off the load but hopeless if you are single handed. I bought a Lofrans Royal horizontal axis manual windlass and there is no comparison in the ease of use. Not quite as quick to take in slack chain but I can get the anchor up in most conditions, on my own without any problem. The Lofrans has a double acting lever ie operates on the up and down stroke, not sure if all do this.

As other posters have said vertical is quicker with slack chain but horizontal has a lot more power.

Depends on what you want, your physical capability, do you have crew and deck layout and chain run.
 
catalac08 said:
Having had a SL Anchorman vertical axis manual windlass I found that there was not enough leverage on the short winch type handle to deal with any length of chain or wind or current on the boat. Not too bad if you have someone on the helm to use the engine to take off the load but hopeless if you are single handed. I bought a Lofrans Royal horizontal axis manual windlass and there is no comparison in the ease of use. Not quite as quick to take in slack chain but I can get the anchor up in most conditions, on my own without any problem. The Lofrans has a double acting lever ie operates on the up and down stroke, not sure if all do this.

As other posters have said vertical is quicker with slack chain but horizontal has a lot more power.

Depends on what you want, your physical capability, do you have crew and deck layout and chain run.
Click to expand...

Mightb have to re think the idea then.........thanks
 
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