Windlass Question

[MarieK]

I am having problems when retrieving anchor in deep water, everything is fine when in shallows and I only let out chain. here is my scenario.

I have an upright lofrans windlass with a rope and chain gypsy , 15kg anchor and 25m of chain. My problem is two fold,

1/When retrieving the rope I take 3 turns around the rope drum but it still slips, in order for it to come up at all I need to keep alot of pressure on the rope by pulling with the windlass. This means I end up with all the rope on the deck beside me rather than in the locker.

2/When I eventually get all the rope in I am having trouble transferring from the rope drum to the chain gypsy, this is partially due to the weight of the chain and anchor but also the fact that I cant feed the rope into the locker while hauling it.


I am not sure that all makes much sense! Any advice would be appreciated

 

[hlb]

Use all chain, it's less bother.

 

[splosh]

Yes, Agree. Use all chain. Simpler for you and the windlass for launching and recovering the anchor. More weight in the bow locker which helps planning boats need less tabs also.

 

[Firefly625]

Happy to say your post does all make sense. I can imagine the issue 100%, but to be honest I am not sure my idea is a goer or not. Happy to be shouted down.

Having come from a sailing background, many years ago we fitted on our main winches on an old Westley 33 (Not on a windlass!) rubber self tailers... These really worked well. Just wondered for your first issue whether anyone has tried fitting one of these to a windlass??? You would need to assist in the self tailing but (if it works on a windlass....which is just a winch at the end of the day..) it would reduce your effort by circa 80%...

This would mean you would be able to feed the rope back in the anchor locker so when the chain did come up at least it would land on top of the rope...

See "The Wincher" http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/Winches.html

 

[MarieK]

How much chain do you guys run with?

 

[hlb]

60M

 

[splosh]

70 METRES

 

[omega2]

retreiving anchor

have you tried/or able to motor up to the anchor and retreive at the same time? 12/24 volt winches are just about on their limits when getting your boat on the move in a good tide flow, I get her straight into the run and then put the engine that is charging the battery at a fast tickover in nuetral, port in my case, then put starboard one in forward at tickover, nip out into the cockpit and start retreiving, due to engine assist this gets me moving, I then nip back in and knock her out of gear and continue, it comes up ok then. Our set up is just a drum winch, coming from the bow through pulleys and into a big bin. I think you are asking a lot of the winch to get the boat above the anchor without assistance.

 

[SovereignDiver]

90 metres. No problems at all.