wndlass advice requested

[jleaworthy]

Advancing years and a deteriorating back is making anchor work difficult, so thinking about fitting a windlass. Can you recommend one? Would it be better to go for a slow but reliable manual windlass or to opt for the speed and expense of an electric jobby? Any thoughts about horizontal or vertical axis; is one better than t'other? I have 8mm chain (about 70 m) and could make my CQR self-stowing. Grateful thanks for any advice and tips from experience.

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[vyv_cox]

Have never owned an electric one. I fitted a vertical axis one to my previous boat (GK29)and it performed well. I was reasonably happy with it but it was necessary to sit or kneel down to operate it, not always very desirable. When I fitted a windlass to my current boat (Sadler 34) I bought a Lofrans Royal, horizontal type. Quite honestly it was a big mistake and I have often regretted that I didn't buy another vertical. It's much bigger than the vertical type and often snags sheets when tacking. The rate of chain recovery is tedious, so now I mostly haul everything in by hand anyway. If the final up-and-down breakout is hard I might use the windlass briefly but otherwise it's just an obstacle on the foredeck.

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[Robin]

I agree with Vyv, we had a manual windlass (Simpson Lawrence) originally on our last boat, it was so slow I never used it except if the anchor was really difficult to break out. We changed it to Lofrans Cayman electric one which was superb, fast enough to power the chain down as well as up, it would be bulky though on a small foredeck. Our current boat came with a Simpson Lawrence Horizon electric, it also works very well although fitted in the anchor well sometimes the chain piles up and needs an occasional kick or poke with the windlass handle to clear the volcano like pile. On a small foredeck/smaller boat probably the type that looks like a cockpit winch would be best, but you need space belowdecks for the motor, otherwise the Lofrans above deck versions are good. Don't forget you will need heavy (battery size) cables to the windlass, battery consumption is neglible as you will probably have the engine running.

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[Paulka]

For the very same reasons - geting younger with every day, and the back growing stiff! - I decided to replace my manual windlasss (Lofrans Royal) which I nearly never used, for an electrical Lofrans Cayman.
It was a revelation, and I really regret I didn't so years earlier.
I would not recommend to go for a manual windlass, as the effort remain the same, and the back's suffering as well.
It's really amazing just pushing a button, and seeing the chain and anchor comming home effortless.
Go for the electrical, it's real comfort.

Good luck.

Paul

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[Birdseye]

if you can afford it, dont hesitate to fit an electric one. the manual one is just as much physical work as doing it by hand - all you are buying is a set of gearing, so it might well be a bit lighter, but then it takes way longer. and the operating position for the manual ones i have seen will not do your back any good.

i have no experience of the horizontal axis machines. i bought a vertical axis lofrans electric and would probably do the same if i had to repeat the exercise. mine is a chain and rope model, and i would buy this type even if i was chain only on the anchor. i find i use the windlass quite a bit for warping the boat, and i have tried to locate it (on a cat so lots of options) in a way that it can be used by my wife to hoist in a mob (me).

i chose the 1000w model and again have not regretted it - you can move the QE2 on 10 watts if you gear down enough, but you also want speed in some circs (eg re-anchoring when its blowing) and the 1000w gives this.

the mounting and locating of the windlass requires lots of thought. a 600 lb pull is fine if the deck will stand it. so you often need re-inforcement. you also need a good run to the bow roller, and a good fall for the chain below the windlass.

i wired the system in using electric arc welding cable - multi strand flexible copper at sensible prices. a purist will tell you that it should be tinned, but at what extra cost? i wired a control into the cockpit - total waste of money since you really do need to be near the windlass to see the anchor arriving, to deal with occasional jams etc

calibrated chain does matter, but your chain might still fit. try running it over the windlass you buy before going out and buying fresh, but run at least 20 meters over the gypsy since calibration shows up over a run of chain, not just the fit of a few links. if you need fresh chain, try ordering through your local lifting tackle specialist (yellow pages). he buys chain from the same outfits that sell the calibrated chain to the windlass makers, and wont add the yottie premium. you will have to make clear exactly what you want.

personally, i think the windlass is a safety item. instead of staying in an anchorage because i've already moved once and am tired out, i now move round until i'm perfectly happy with where i am. bit like a dog in his basket, my wife says.

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[Chris_Robb]

RHorizontal or Verticle

Go for an electric. - you may be restricted by the height of the bow roller to the foredeck in the choice. If the bow roller is higher than the height of the verticle axis gipsy, then you will have to have a horizontal axis system.

I have recently struggled for 2 years with a cranky old system - mainly pulling it up by hand - Installed a new 1200 watt Lofrans Tigress - bliss - we now anchor 2 or 3 times a day and never worry about lifting it.

Go electric

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[ccscott49]

Electric and vertical, if you have room under the deck for the motor, some have a horizontal motor, which takes up less room. Don't bother with manual. You'll find it's wonderful, you'll probably anchor more aswell.

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[jleaworthy]

Many thanks for your very helpful advice. It will certainly be electric, probably a Lofran and probably vertical as there's plenty of space below the deck - I'm just going down to the mooring to measure up the foredeck itself. Thanks for the many generous tips - the welding cable, control position, trying existing chain on gypsy, and the value of a bit more power with 1000 watt motor. Thank you all.

The going price for a Lofran Airon 1000 watt seems to be about £550. Is anyone doing any better deals?

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[bob26]

If you can't afford or accommodate an electric one I'd think twice before fitting a vertical manual one if you are worried about your back.



After having a disc removed from my spine I consulted the surgeon on which was best from an orthopedic viewpoint. He was in no doubt that standing and working that lever is far bettr for you than kneeling down and stretching away from you with that handle.

They are slow to haul in (as said above) but are you in a hurry?



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[timchapman]

After many years I just fitted a Lewmar H3 windlass to my yacht. It completely revolutionised a 3 week cruise of S Brittany. If the anchor does not set as or where you want it to then simply haul up and start again, as many times as you want. In 20 days we only went into a Marina once!
I would say the electric anchor winch is one of the most significant additions short handed crews could have on a boat.

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