Windless tips

[ST840]

Hi all, I'm just about to trade up to a 28ft boat that has a windlass winch and twin engines. I have no experience of either , can I get some usage tips from those experienced in these ways?
Does a twin engine manoeuvre easier at low speeds? And what is the correct way of using an anchor winch ?
Many thanks.

 

[Sneds]

Is there someone in your marina with a twin engine boat that could give you a few pointers?

 

[RogerRat]

Is there someone in your marina with a twin engine boat that could give you a few pointers?

There are basics that would help you but another owner with a similar boat should be able to guide/show basic methods.

When you get the boat, try and tell us more about your planned anchor usage.

Regards,
RR

 

[sarabande]

Tip #1

You may well need those engines if there is no wind.

 

[Prhperio]

Is there someone in your marina with a twin engine boat that could give you a few pointers?

+1 to that. A bit of instruction is a huge help. If the budget can run to it, a day or so with a professional instructor is a great investment. I've had boats all my life and having changed at the end of last year decided to get a professional to get me up to speed and I can't tell you how great a day or two on the water one-to-one is. You don't say where you are based but here on the Isle of Wight I can thoroughly recommend Tim Griffin of this parish (no connection just delighted with his work) but elsewhere I'm sure you could find someone if you ask around. In any event keep coming back here, it's a great resource with many very knowledgable people and post your questions and share you experiences.

PS Always post some pictures of your adventures

 

[vandy]

In addition to what other have said;

Twin set give a lot of flexibility if you know the tricks and certainly getting professional help will let you learn alot about your boat and how to maneuver it.

Electric Windlass is a separate issue; it is potentially a dangerous piece of kit if you don't know how to safely operate it.

Where are you based?

 

[ST840]

Thanks for the responces so far. I am quite new to the marina and seem to be surrounded by sailing boats ! I may ask around for tips from owners if I can track one down.
The use of a pro does sound like a good idea, will have to work even harder now to pay for a coupke of days I suppose

 

[beejay190]

Just a tip about using an instructor. One to one training for a whole day can be quite exhausting. You might find it more beneficial to have two half days instead.
The instructors I have used have been happy with this arrangement.

[ If you are based near Poole I recommend Power Boat Training UK.]

 

[ST840]

Just a tip about using an instructor. One to one training for a whole day can be quite exhausting. You might find it more beneficial to have two half days instead.
The instructors I have used have been happy with this arrangement.

[ If you are based near Poole I recommend Power Boat Training UK.]

Thanks beejay190, I'm in southampton, probably a bit too far for them!

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

Hi all, I'm just about to trade up to a 28ft boat that has a windlass winch and twin engines. I have no experience of either , can I get some usage tips from those experienced in these ways?
Does a twin engine manoeuvre easier at low speeds? And what is the correct way of using an anchor winch ?
Many thanks.

You dont say if shafts or legs and can make a huge difference. Shafts easy , legs take a bit more getting used to

 

[symondo]

We have twin engines on legs.

Also took lessons on how to manouvre. It takes a bit of getting used to but seems good to even spin her on the spot for those tight moments.

Just remember 2 engines = double maintenence. and 2 legs...

 

[Medskipper]

Hi all, I'm just about to trade up to a 28ft boat that has a windlass winch and twin engines. I have no experience of either , can I get some usage tips from those experienced in these ways?
Does a twin engine manoeuvre easier at low speeds? And what is the correct way of using an anchor winch ?
Many thanks.

Hi,
Winch first, don't want to teach you to suck eggs! But firstly keep hands and fingers away from any of the working gear when the system is live. Always cut the power if chain is fouled on the gypsy before trying to untangle!
You should as a rule of thumb drop three times the depth of chain. I.e. If you want to anchor in say three metres of water, drop nine metres of chain, let the boat settle a bit and then back up a bit to dig the anchor in. You can buy markers for your chain but I find they are difficult to see from my flybridge. I flake out my chain on the pontoon in four or five metre lengths close together and then paint one metre white so when the chain is dropped I know that every white metre that passes over the gypsy I have dropped five metres of chain. A word of warning, place plastic bags under the chain to be painted as your marina management will not appreciate their pontoons all covered in white paint!

Twin engines next, you don't mention if you will have out drives or shafts? The two are very different when attempting to maneuver. Out drives are directional just like a outboard engine. I.e. They will push or pull the boat in the direction the prop is facing.
Shaft and rudders operate the opposite way, I.e. The prop does not move it just pushes water against the rudder so the boat moves the way the rudder is facing.

Certainly the advice here to get some tuition is a good one, go for it but then practice practice practice and you will soon be handling your boat like a pro!

Good luck with the new boat

 

[ST840]

You dont say if shafts or legs and can make a huge difference. Shafts easy , legs take a bit more getting used to

It has legs!

 

[Medskipper]

You dont say if shafts or legs and can make a huge difference. Shafts easy , legs take a bit more getting used to

It's funny but I found exactly the opposite! But in my youth I used to water ski with a friend on Burnham on Crouch and his ski boat like most I guess had an outboard engine so I got very used to directional props. It was totally foreign to me when I obtained my first shaft boat! Guess it all depends on what you get used to?
I think with a twin outdrive/legs the best thing to do is centre the steering so the boat is steering straight and then it pretty much handles like a shaft boat using fwd & reverse. Once you are good at that experiment with the steering as well.

 

[ST840]

Thanks everybody for the advice, I will update later on my progress. Hope to collect her next weekend !!