Manual Windlass

[narcer]

Hi,
Does anybody here have any idea about getting hold of a new, small manual only windlass ? I would require a small model, compatible with 8mm chain and with a vertical axis (ie flat type). I´ve looked around but everything is electric which I don´t want. Could anybody recommend a certain model ?

Many Thanks,

 

[rwoofer]

Personally I wouldn't bother with a vertical axis manual windlass. It's like trying to use a winch on you knees, which doesn't make the most of your bodies muscles. Horizontal axis far more effective, which is all I have ever seen in manual versions....

 

[Cloven]

The Simpson Lawrence "Anchorman" is what you want. However, you will have to look for a second-hand one as they are no longer made.

Your best bet might be to start here:

http://www.slspares.co.uk/

They service all the old SL kit so may be able to help.

 

[oakum]

Try Antony Foulkes at the chandlery barge for 2nd hand windlass,link below or boats and outboards (equipment) or even ebay

http://www.chandlerybarge.co.uk/boatyard/findus.htm

 

[Salty John]

I wouldn't consider a vertical axis manual windlass. The operating position - all arms, with knees slithering around trying to find purchase - is less efficient than hauling by hand.
A manual windlass needs a long lever operating a horizontal gypsy so you can use your legs to provide the energy.
My personal opinion, of course.

 

[WindermereColvic]

Yep hand over hand is easyer than verticle axis 90% of the time!

 

[crewman]

There was an article in, I think, PBO some time ago where someone had got an old rope winch and replaced the drum with a gypsy. He ended up with a two speed windlass.

 

[johnphilip]

Our last boat (a 32' Fulmar ) had a manual Anchorman as you are looking for - keep looking, the detractors on this wonderful piece of kit surprise me, I much preferred it to the electric we have now. I only fitted the electric because there was no room to swing the winch handle with the anchor locker arrangement on our new boat.
Easier to pull by hand? rubbish, when the boat shears off your hands get pulled over the bow, with the anchorman you just pause while the chain is bar taut and wind again when it eases as it always does. Much lighter than a power winch and weight matters in the bow - increases pitching.

 

[Tranona]

I agree. The Anchorman, particularly with the warping drum on top is an excellent piece of kit on a small boat. Although you have to kneel to operate it, it raises the anchor much faster than a manual horizontal axis windlass, plus you can use it as a warping drum. Pity it is not made any more - but of course small electric windlasses have fallen in price substantially. However on a boat up to say 30 ft give me the Anchorman any time.

 

[charles_reed]

I\'d second

the SL Anchorman, as a good bit of kit.

Perhaps a trifle under powered....

 

[vyv_cox]

I agree too, in principle as I don't have any experience of the Anchorman specifically. I fitted a horizontal windlass, Lofrans Royal, to a previous boat. Apart from the fact that it was so painfully slow to operate, such that on most occasions I gave up and hauled by hand, it was the the most efficient genoa sheet trap I have ever experienced. On literally every tack one of us would have to walk forward to untrip the sheet, despite efforts to string lines across the deck to prevent it.

In the end I replaced the Lofrans with a vertical axis type, sorry don't remember what but I think it was a Lewmar. Far more effective and a joy to use. My only advice is not to fit it too far forward to ensure more than adequate swinging room for the handle.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I have one on Indigo. I don't use it when kneeling, however. I sit behind it, one leg either side. A very comfortable winching position, and much better than hand-over-hand.

 

[Bajansailor]

Another vote for a S-L Anchorman if you can find one second hand - our boat is 35' and 6 tonnes, a bit over sized for the winch, but it is still an excellent bit of kit. And not much to go wrong, and virtually no maintenance required - easy to take down occasionally and re-grease.

Plastimo and Vetus both do (or did) manual horizontal shaft windlasses - you could try looking on their websites?

 

[2nd_apprentice]

I thought Toplicht still sells the Anchorman. Muir also does one. How about hand over hand combined with chain pawl à la Claud Worth? Much faster and nothing to go wrong either.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, they are still showing it in their catalogue along with the Muir vertical windlasses.

 

[narcer]

Thanks all, much appreciated - I will start scratching around indeed for the sl anchorman and see what comes up. Also agree now with the horizontal axis being more practical- was origonally thinking it would be more neat and tidy on the foredeck being vertical axis. Cheers

 

[Tranona]

Not sure that is what myself and others are saying. For a small manual windlass a vertical axis seems to have the edge. Low profile, simpler, faster to operate and usually cheaper. The only negative is getting down to operate it, but that in practice is not a big issue.

 

[ianabc]

We use a SL Highspeed, works fine but the handle is too short.

Will make alonger handle!

I have seen many boatswith a simple chain stopper.

Instead of a chain stopper with a moveable pawl that locks the chain theswe are a short length of vertical pipe welded to the deck, bolted on with a large flange t take the cnsiderable load.

The top is a metal V with a piece slightly larger than the width of a link, removed.

Chain is dropped into the altered V

 

[fergie_mac66]

Thanks all, much appreciated - I will start scratching around indeed for the sl anchorman and see what comes up. Also agree now with the horizontal axis being more practical- was origonally thinking it would be more neat and tidy on the foredeck being vertical axis. Cheers

i have used both vertical and horizontal manual
vertical was a joy to use had to sit down to use but then i alway sit down to hand over hand (currently looking for a vertical manual myself)

the horizontal manual was nightmareishly slow in strong winds as soon as the anchor left the bottom it was a constant worry as to where the boat would be by the time the anchor was on deck.

edit: hand over hand I would always sit down to pull in specialy with a wave train running with 15 kg of anchor plus the weight of 10/15 metres of 8 mm chain with couple or more feet swell and a bit of wind to pull against .