Windlass and chain Questions

[machone]

I have a few windlass questions:

I've attached a picture of the current state of my foredeck - yes, I know. I'm the one paying the bills and holding the wire brush!

When I bought the boat there was an old hand operated windlass welded to the gunwhale(detached and awaiting replacement) on two metal cross members that had rusted through. This was mounted so the chain ran over the pulley and at an incline to the horizontal gypsy. A boat we chartered last year(thanks ybw members) had a locker mounted horizontal windlass where the chain was angled down. It was hopeless as it slipped all the time.

Q1. Is chain 'entry' angle as critical with a vertical windlass?

Q2. With electric windlasses they quote max pull but are you better to buy the biggest that will fit?

Q3. Many vertical windlasses have a winch on the top. I like the idea for raising a mast or pulling a mooring line in a tricky lock but does anybody get any use out of them - are they worth having?

Q4. From the above, are there any vertical with a detachable winch that can be removed when not in use?

Q5. Some of the newer vertical electric windlasses have a gypsy that has grips for rope and chain - are these any good?

Thanks

machone

 

[vyv_cox]

Q1. Is chain 'entry' angle as critical with a vertical windlass ?

Q2. With electric windlasses they quote max pull but are you better to buy the biggest that will fit?

Q3. Many vertical windlasses have a winch on the top. I like the idea for raising a mast or pulling a mooring line in a tricky lock but does anybody get any use out of them - are they worth having?

Q4. From the above, are there any vertical with a detachable winch that can be removed when not in use?

Q5. Some of the newer vertical electric windlasses have a gypsy that has grips for rope and chain - are these any good?

Thanks

machone

Q1 It needs to be fairly accurate. If the chain contacts the surround of the entry hole it will increase load and cause wear. Would probably not slip though. You can add a jockey wheel to improve the angle.

Q2 Our Maxwell has a 1000 watt motor. It came out as the strongest puller in the YM tests. It is plenty strong enough for our 7 tons and is the recommended size.

Q3 We use ours for hauling in a lazy line, so it is used fairly frequently and usefully. I only replaced the original windlass to have the benefit of the capstan.

Q4 Not that I am aware of.

Q5 I have owned two Maxwells. The combined gypsies worked well, the older one needing a spring loaded attachment to push the rope into the gypsy but the later one does not.

 

[LadyInBed]

I try not to put the motor under pressure, when hauling up, the motor straightens the catenary, I stop hauling and let the weight of the chain pull the boat forward, then keep repeating the process.

 

[machone]

Thanks

Sounds like a maxwell with a capstan then which is good because they're easy to get here. The finished boat will be about 9tons - R8 or 10?

 

[vyv_cox]

A boat of that displacement would require 10 mm chain according to most advisers.

 

[pampas]

check to see if the gypsy rotates clockwise wnen looking down, if fitted on the c/l of the pipe then will be ok, on second look either was would be ok. Regarding the capstan I have one and have never used it as you have to secure the anchor before releasing the clutch and I would NEVER use it to lower a mast on.