New Windlass - which one!

Good choice. Suggest you wire the switch inside the forecabin on a long curly wander lead. That keeps the cable well away from the windlass. Guess how I know the dire consequences of cable in close proximity to gypsy winding in chain. You may also find a radio remote useful if you are short handed. I have one from Coastal Technologies. Very good bit of kit.
 
Tranona said:
Good choice. Suggest you wire the switch inside the forecabin on a long curly wander lead. That keeps the cable well away from the windlass. Guess how I know the dire consequences of cable in close proximity to gypsy winding in chain. You may also find a radio remote useful if you are short handed. I have one from Coastal Technologies. Very good bit of kit.
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Wise choice of windlass based on what I have gathered from recommendations to myself. Also very good advise from Tranona.

I also didn't like the idea of curly cables anywhere near the windlass or of electrical connections on the foredeck, but I couldn't justify the cost of the radio remote option. So I have gone for foot switches at the bow and a £4 ON-OFF-ON switch mounted in the engine instrument panel. That way in the event of a foot switch failure we will have a backup switch, plus it's handy for single-handing (she keeps threatening (or should that be promising) to leave me) and also very handy for those stern-to moorings where you just want another metre of chain to get you back a bit or to adjust the stern lines. Very frustrating going up to the bow, let a bit out, back to the stern adjust the lines, back to the bow take up the slack, back to the stern, collapse with cold beer.

One minute you have this idea 'let's get an electric windlass' and then the next you are thrown a whole load of decisions, choices and compromises to be made to get from no windlass to a windlass!
 
multihullsailor6 said:
After reading a windlass test in an UK boating magazine I am planning to purchase a Southern Pacific windlass which came out tops in that report - in my case I am looking at the VS1000 which is a vertical one. One of the outstanding features I liked about the technical concept is the use of "efficient spur gears instead of traditional worm gears which can reduce up to 30% ~ 50% of motor power consumption" (from Southern Pacific's website). The best price so far I have found is on ebay UK.
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Have one now for 2 years, only takes about 19 anps before the trip comes in, very slight reduction in hoisting power and speed compared to worm and wheel types (Iknow most think its gutless,but its not) never used the free fall as once about 6 foot of chain is in the water it pays out faster and under control than I can by hand.
Just a satisfied customerwho would reccomend them to anybody thinking of buying one. You will not regret the purchase. :):)
 
Andy and Lyn said:
like the idea PAMPUS of having a cockpit switch as well as a foot switch forward,; just running the switch wiring the lenght of the boat Im not sure about!
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We have this arrangement, with the up/down switch immediately alongside the Morse control. For me this is by far the best way to go, it makes stern-to berthing so much easier, whether short-handed or not. Having the helm controlling both the boat and the anchor warp leads to far fewer problems and allows the crew to concentrate on warp handling and fending off. Go for it, even if it does mean another cable run.

I can honestly say, in all modesty, that people have come up to us on quays throughout Greece to compliment us on making it all look easy. It's not just my superb skills(!!!) it's the anchor control location.
 
You can achieve the same result with a radio control. Mine is in a bracket at the helm. Can also be used on the hoof. As indicated earlier also have a hand control on a lead from the forecabin through the hatch.
 
Tranona said:
You can achieve the same result with a radio control. Mine is in a bracket at the helm. Can also be used on the hoof. As indicated earlier also have a hand control on a lead from the forecabin through the hatch.
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Quite possibly true, but then I can fix a wire if it goes wrong. Same can't be said for a radio! I prefer foot switches to a remote hand control on a lead. At least I always know where they are.
 
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