Windlass advice request

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JimC

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I struggled a couple of times this year to get my anchor in when there was a chop and a strong wind & tide. It's not going to get any easier with the passing years so I'm thinking of getting a windlass. First thoughts were for a Lofrans Royal which seems a poular choice, however I've since been told that it's better to spend the extra for an electric model as manual ones are tediously slow. I'm looking for advice on makes and models e.g. vertical/horoizontal etc. The South Pacific ones imported from Australia seem good value? - 28 ft boat, 10kg Delta anchor on 40 metres 8mm chain & 20 metres 14 mm octoplait.
 
My Choice was the Lofrans Airon 1000W but then I have a 10 metre boat and also run 60 metres 8mm chain and 50 metres 12mm octoplait hauling a 35lb plough or 25 Kg Admiralty pattern fisherman.

The 500W model would be worth considering but you will have to change your chain for a calibrated chain, - use the rejct chain for the kedge!

Main things

to get as much fall below the windlass as possible otherwise you end up with a pile underneath that jams the chain pipe (Applies to all windlasses).

Use the largest diameter electric cable you can get without damaging your cosmetics, volts = oomph!

If you like single-handed sailing the Mizar radio control system is absolutely priceless .

Make sure the plank you mount it on is well engineered into the boat to spread the enormous loads that can be generated.

H /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifve f /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifn
 
There is excellent advice above re electric windlasses - but if you are as electrically inept as me (I doubt it though!) you might like to just have a manual windlass. Less to go wrong......

We have a Simpson Lawrence Anchorman manual windlass on our 35' boat - it is a wee bit small really for Phoenix, especially as it has to cope with a 35 lb CQR and 3/8" chain, but it works well, needs minimal maintenance, nothing has ever gone wrong with it (and it is about 15 years old now), and it is not too difficult to wind everything in if your helm motors up to the anchor while you crank it in (or vice versa!).

Not much fun though cranking that lot up in soundings deeper than about 6 or 7 metres.......

I would think that an Anchorman would be fine for a 28' boat with a 22lb Delta and 8 mm / 5/16" chain.
 
I've had Lofrans Royals on my last two boats and they have been excellent. You get a simple, virtually maintenance-free and very robust device. Easy to install and it offers chain gypsy and a rope drum. No intrusion below deck level either, so more chain stowage.The only real problem is that you do need to be a bit fit to haul in a lot of chain. I use the ratchet lever to break out the hook and then haul in by hand ( wear gloves!) . It can be hard work and is especially tough if you hit a problem with holding and have to re-set a couple of times or you tangle with another mooring and have to bring up another chain. Electric windlasses do take the sweat out of it, but there is the cabling issue( you can of course have a dedicated battery up front if you have the room) and even the best unit can suffer serious corrosion problems because of the location at the most exposed part of the boat At the moment, the simple option plays best for me -- but when the joints start to creak I may be tempted to go electric!
 
If you decide on the electric route take a serious look at the electrics because you may be doing the equivelent of running the starter motor for the time it takes to lift the anchor. Usually you will run the engine when using it but you dont want to be in a situa
 
i would consider the installation first and foremost. i have had a variety of models and vertical vs horizontal may come down to the configuration of your deck. i have seen a number of horizongtal windlasses installed even with the rollers rather than above. on my current boat, the vertical ones was installed with the chain hitting the hull rather than falling straight down into the locker. the vertical ones (like my Lewman) have higher pullilng power, because the chain is ingaged with the gypsey for 180 degrees rather than 90 degrees with a horizontal). the downside of mine is that the entire windlass must be back further so the chain fails into the middle of the locker -- why mine was installed incorrectly)
good luck!
 
Our last boat, a 32 foot Fulmar had a manual S-L windlass. Operated and looking much like a sheet winch winding the handle easily retrieved the 35lb CQR and 8mm chain, quicker and more easily controlled than the electric one on our new boat. If there had been room to swing the handle on the new boat's foredeck I would certainly have stayed with the manual winch. With the new one I have to keep stopping to push the chajn away from the winch into the locker.
The trick with the old windlass was to wind in until tight ,pause until the boat caught up and tension eased then wind again, easy. Because the chain is held on the winch ratchet you never have the back breaking moment of pulling by hand when the boat shears off to one side and tries to pull you overboard. The old windlass was an S-L, Although they are now defunct they are still made by (I think) Lewmar. I can find more if you are interested.
 
I cruised as far as New Zealand with a manual windlass - Lofrans Royal - and most of that time I was on anchor when parked.. It was OK... In New Zealand on during the refit I installed and electric anchor winch... Like being in heaven. Could not imagine the difference... Made anchoring safer -- when the pick did not dig in properly a few times I would just keep trying until it did - with the manual windlass after 3 goes I would probably settle for the situation as I was so tired with pumping the handle and it does take a long time.
If you are anchoring a lot then probably a 1000W is better.. I would always install electric now -

Michael
 
Just bought a South Pacific model, the deciding factors being 1- only 17 amps to supply 2- it will take uncalibrated chain and rope as well easy to fit and the overall cost is a lot cheaper than other makers, what more can I say ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
The South Pacific ones imported from Australia seem good value? - 28 ft boat, 10kg Delta anchor on 40 metres 8mm chain & 20 metres 14 mm octoplait.

[/ QUOTE ]

Taiwan not Australia.
Go for the 7mm model which would be better on a 28fter.
Don't used Octiplait it will only give grief on the Sth Pacs. Use a high grade i.e Type 6-6 nylon 3 strand.

While a nice little winch they are low powered compared to most. Don't use with piles of big gear or you'll blow it apart in short time.
 
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