windlass foot switches or hand-held?

roam

roam

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i have been using foot switches for the electric windlass up till now, but will need to replace them as they are just about totally degraded to un-useable through both UV and use - the rubber top half has disintegrated in the sun and the plastic cover hinges have broken.

i have never used a hand-held remote, but i can fit a plug in the anchor locker quite easily which will keep the unit out of the sun.

which is better/most reliable?
 
I don't have foot or deck switches, only the hand held one. I have absolutely no problem with it, the anchor comes up, and I have, I feel a better view as I have the switch in hand when looking over the side.
 
I have fitted a wireless remote and bypassed the old foot switch. I'm going to re attach it ( up only although the wireless does down as well )

If I didn't have a deck footswitch already fitted I'd have a tethered switch for the reason wazza suggested. Wireless is great but there is always the possibility of flatteries or simply droppin' one in the oggin!
 
nimbusgb said:
I have fitted a wireless remote and bypassed the old foot switch. I'm going to re attach it ( up only although the wireless does down as well )

If I didn't have a deck footswitch already fitted I'd have a tethered switch for the reason wazza suggested. Wireless is great but there is always the possibility of flatteries or simply droppin' one in the oggin!
Click to expand...

+1

I bought the wireless switch when the deck switch stopped working. That I subsequently repaired.
The wireless system is 2 channels, so I use the other to switch on a cabin light as I approach in the dinghy at night.
It came with 2 remotes but I'm careful not to drop anything ! :)
 
Hand held every time - but don't wire it in the locker as you run the risk of the curly cable getting caught in the windlass - guess how I know! Wire it in the cabin and pass the cable through the forehatch. A wireless remote is also well worth having as you can use that from the helm for adjustments.
 
I remember an accident in Gaios a few years back when a visitor stood on a footswitch and got a nasty cut from the chain on her foot. Yes the skipper had left it live for emergencies.

We have a removable hand held which has a dedicated stowage cave near the chart table but also, at the helm is a tandem rocker switch and alongside this, a change-over switch between foredeck and cockpit controls. It is a very useful facility.

Chas
 
I've had both and both are easy to use but the plug in handheld takes a little time to get ready for use. There is also the question once anchored do you leave the handset attached ready to use quickly or take it off and put it safely back in the cockpit somewhere. I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure. Current boat has foredeck switches but also flybridge controls, yet another variable!
 
I have a switch in the wheelhouse and a pendant which can be plugged in at the foredeck. Both are fine for anchor work, but I would have liked foot switches when tailing rope. Next pendant I make will be able to be laid on deck and stood on!
 
I have a plug-in hand-held, but have been thinking of fitting footswitches.

I often have a lot of bother with dodgy contacts on the plug, despite regular cleaning with contact-cleaner. Also, I often go forward to adjust the anchor then realise I left the woggle in the cockpit.
 
I have a handheld which is plugged in at the anchor well (yes Tranona - been there, done that :o) - I now divert the cable round a deck cleat which keeps it well away from the windlass.

The cable is long enough to come all the way back to the cockpit (centre-cockpit Nic39). I leave it plugged in coiled up in the anchor well when at anchor. On passage it's tucked away in a handy saloon cupboard nice & dry.

Don't like footswitches - many, many years ago I accidentally stepped on one when on someone else's boat - nearly took the skipper's fingers off. Still makes me shiver at the memory.
 
I used to have a hand held plugged into a socket in the windlass well. PIA because of corrosion. Removed the socket and hard wired the handheld into a junction box in the fore cabin. I then had the handheld on a cup hook. When going to anchor I would lift the hatch and grab the handheld control. It never got wet or was exposed to the elements when not being used and could not fall overboard. I have just bought a remote on Ebay which I will fit this season.
RPP
 
My boat was fitted with foot switches long before I bought her, and don't feel the need for either hand-held, wireless or helm switch.

They are fitted in such a position that I can look over the side to see the anchor/chain, and also leaves my hands free for whenever I need to tail the rope in getting the moorings up with strong winds. I would not be able to tail rope with both hands using a remote etc.

Therefore, no possible water ingress to the plug, no cable getting wrapped around the windlass, and no worry of flat batteries in the remote.
 
Mine had foot switches, but they started to let in water, both to the electrics (twice replaced micro switches inside) and to the balsa core. Now I use a hand switch on a spiral cable. It too is vulnerable to salty water (failed once but recovered with TLC).
 
We have foot switches, but cant see the anchor coming home. So installed buttons on the inside of the Bulwark, so can lean over, operate buttons with one hand, while directing the hose with the other. 3 buttons in ip 67housing, mid button, isolation and e stop for it & the foot buttons.
 
thank you

thanks to you all for the replies.
i'm going to try the remote control devices from ebay as posted by Wiggy. at that price i don't have much to lose AND no more holes for anything!
 
I've just ordered three sets of the wireless model from Hong Kong off Ebay for £9.05 each with free p&p. Exactly the same as the £23 version with different stickers on the front. Three weeks delivery but I'm in no hurry!
 
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