Which manual vertical windlass?

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corinthmistral

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I would like to fit a vertical anchor windlass to my boat and prefer a manual windlass - I appreciate that electric windlasses are (relatively) not all that expensive these days, but i just like the simplicity of a manual windlass and no power consumption issues, and (at the moment) am happy to endure the free gym work out in a strong wind / tide! Also our young daughter is less likely to accidentally press a foot switch and then trap fingers etc etc.

The model I like is a Simpson Lawrence Anchorman, for 8mm chain, without the rope drum - i.e. as low profile as possible. I appreciate that SL is now part of Lewmar, but ... is it still possible to buy this or an equivalent model??? a few Google searches have not turned up anything. I will keep an eye on ebay also as i'm not actually bothered whether it's new or second hand.

If anyone has experience of other low profile vertical manual windlasses and where to buy them I'd be interested to hear. also, if it is possible to buy a manual vertical windlass with built in hawse pipe (like the modern electric ones seem to have) then that's one less hole to cut in the deck and one less protrusion to trip over or stub toes on!

Anchor is a 10kg Delta.

Many thanks.
 
I have an Anchorman windlass. I've heard they're not made any more, as the manufacturers assume everyone wants electric, but I don't know if that's true.

I don't understand about cutting holes in the deck - you'll need to cut one for the navel pipe whether it's part of the windlass or separate. For a manual windlass itself you shouldn't need to cut any holes as there's nothing below deck. Mine is welded onto the top of my bowsprit heel fitting, but I believe it normally has three or four bolts through the deck. Ignoring the bolts, you need exactly one hole either way, so it doesn't seem that important whether the fitting is part of the windlass or not. I guess built-in is slightly neater, but also less waterproof than an aft-facing cowl with a lid.

I share your preference for the simple solution, and have never found the manual windlass hard work. You can orient the winch handle differently for leverage or for speed, as required.

Pete
 
No, the Anchorman went out of production years ago, so your only hope is a S/H one. 8mm gypsy would also be rare. The only manual (I think) is the Vetus one.

Don't worry about accidental operation. Don't use the foot switches - in my view the invention of the devil, but hard wire the control inside the forecabin and use on a curly wander lead through the hatch. Then only the opoeratotor can work it. Alternatively install a radio remote.
 
Tranona said:
No, the Anchorman went out of production years ago, so your only hope is a S/H one. 8mm gypsy would also be rare. The only manual (I think) is the Vetus one.

Don't worry about accidental operation. Don't use the foot switches - in my view the invention of the devil, but hard wire the control inside the forecabin and use on a curly wander lead through the hatch. Then only the opoeratotor can work it. Alternatively install a radio remote.
Click to expand...

We are looking for same a manual vertical . Same as op (talked to no end of peeps who want manual vertical!) we only have outboard (40hp) so do not want to increase battery usage or genny usage , looked at vetus but is horizontal . So I guess will have to be second hand or continue with the exercise! Have used both horizontal and vertical much prefer vertical
 
There's got to be a small business here!

fergie_mac66 said:
We are looking for same a manual vertical . Same as op (talked to no end of peeps who want manual vertical)
Click to expand...

I also want a manual vertical for 8mm chain.

Are these contraptions particularly complex? Can one of the simpler, older, reliable designs be be redesigned (patent expired?) for batch-production by a small workshop - in a sufficient initial quantity to satisfy existing demand (and cover basic costs).

If successful with sufficient ongoing demand, can offer to one of the bigger manufacturers/distributors.

Do initial batch for 8mm only (presumably the greatest demand is for smaller yachts with limited volts and less lazy owners), then offer 10mm version if successful.

Can get YBW to sponsor the initial costs, and advertise it for free in PBO (also YBW), just like the PBO Pup dinghy! Call it the "PBO Manual Windlass" - right up their alley!

Howzat for a little bit of creative entrepreneurial thinking? Symbiosis all round.

PM me if you have some experience of small business and/or small workshop engineering - we'll get a few prototypes up and running (test it on our own boats!).

How satisfying would that be?!
 
I looked into this a couple of years ago, and found that the only manual one (Vetus) was really not suitable for where I wanted it. I talked to the Vetus people at one of the boat shows (probably 2009 Southampton) and they said that they were likely to be discontinuing making their manual one soon - no call for manual windlasses, now, madam.
There are manual SL ones turning up at boat jumbles quite regularly. That may be the way to go.
 
Vertical or horizontal?

Whilst I agree that vertical axis windlasses have many advantages - greater wrap around, less obtrusive etc, the disadvantage is that they are much more awkward to operate. Usually with a winch handle at low level necessitating a seated position. A horizontal axis allows operation in a comfortable standing position with a long lever. For this reason, i would always go for this type perhaps a Lofrans which are very durable and robust.
 
I bought one recently when I had my sailing yacht.

Try looking at Muir, they are an Australian company. Very good quality but not cheap - they cost the same as an electric one but you do save on the wiring and battery costs.

Manual vertical windlass manufacturers are very scarce, it is the only one I could find.
 
Why not simply buy a south Pacific at Seateach.
They are cheap and electric but you can also use them manually. You possibly even could remove the electric drive. Much cheaper than the expensive ( and , I admit very good) Muir.
Ad
 
ghostlymoron said:
Whilst I agree that vertical axis windlasses have many advantages - greater wrap around, less obtrusive etc, the disadvantage is that they are much more awkward to operate. Usually with a winch handle at low level necessitating a seated position. A horizontal axis allows operation in a comfortable standing position with a long lever. For this reason, i would always go for this type perhaps a Lofrans which are very durable and robust.
Click to expand...


I have used both . Comes down to personal preference dont like horizontal at all and they are so slow ! I like low level and like to be seated with my feet in anchor well, specially on a bouncing deck with 3 or 4 foot waves. Unfortunately the windlass manufactures will never get me to pay for a 500 watt, or more motor that I cant use .

I firmly believe that the manufacturers are missing an opportunity
 
Muir still seem to list one manual model on their website - the 500 with or without capstan and chain pipe. Very similar physically to the old SL. Unfortunately they don't seem to have a distributor in UK, although there is still a registered address in Shamrock Quay.

I have had an SL for years. On a small boat it is excellent and no problem sitting down to operate. However, the demand for such a windlass is very low, because it is a "luxury" on boats of that size where the anchor can be handled manually. Electric versions are relatively cheap now and most boats have the electrical capacity to operate them. so things move on - not always for the better. Except that "progress" throws up redundant kit as people upgrade. Available at a boat jumble near you!
 
Tranona said:
Muir still seem to list one manual model on their website - the 500 with or without capstan and chain pipe. Very similar physically to the old SL. Unfortunately they don't seem to have a distributor in UK, although there is still a registered address in Shamrock Quay.

I have had an SL for years. On a small boat it is excellent and no problem sitting down to operate. However, the demand for such a windlass is very low, because it is a "luxury" on boats of that size where the anchor can be handled manually. Electric versions are relatively cheap now and most boats have the electrical capacity to operate them. so things move on - not always for the better. Except that "progress" throws up redundant kit as people upgrade. Available at a boat jumble near you!
Click to expand...

Going to have a look at a couple of jumbles this spring but will look at new if we cannot get a second hand one . It has become a bee in Swimbos bonnet as she want to be in a position to do anything in case I become incapacitated for some reason .

edit Even for our 22 westerly so we might be looking for 2!
 
I saw a Lewmar vertical windlass in a Dutch chandlers a couple of weeks ago. I was surprised because I thought they had been de-listed a couple of years ago, so possibly New Old Stock.
I put it down rapidly when I saw the price - 850 Euros!
 
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