Windlass manual override?

[geem]

I've got pretty limited experience of windlasses, but must say my Lofrans Tigres has a very useful manual function. It's slow but after seeing what other people put up with I'm not complaining.
Just as well really because I spent several months using it in manual mode until I was able to get it working.

We have the next size up. The Falkon. The manual function on this is a ratchet based system. Slow but strong using the long shaft that comes with the windlass for locking the clutch. I have tried it and it works but it would take a while to retrieve the anchor.

 

[Sea Change]

We have the next size up. The Falkon. The manual function on this is a ratchet based system. Slow but strong using the long shaft that comes with the windlass for locking the clutch. I have tried it and it works but it would take a while to retrieve the anchor.

Pre electrification, it took me nearly an hour to retrieve 80m of chain. We were anchored in Les Saintes, in about 27m of water.
That prompted me to finally finish the windlass installation.

 

[Sea Change]

IME power failures is one of the more unlikely problems.

I've had problems with brushes and wired remotes.
Mechanically, the only problem so far has been when I sheared off one of the bolts holding the stripper arm to the casing.
I eventually mounted the arm on a bracket fixed to the deck. Easier than trying to drill out the bolt.