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Old 02-01-2017, 04:16 PM   #21
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I'm confused for the moment at least as I read comments on wanting chain counters or length meters, since many windlasses have chain counters and there are counters that can be added to virtually any windlass. Now, I understand there's a price consideration and it still makes sense for many to paint or tie colors.
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Old 02-01-2017, 04:56 PM   #22
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If it's the Admiral who must remember and recite the ditty in her head while deploying, I'd suggest RYBWO.
Where's the fun in that!
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Old 02-01-2017, 10:56 PM   #23
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I like the idea of a chain counter, but more 21 century. How about a little device that takes a coin size battery, velcro mounts to the windlass, counts the turns of the drum from a simple decal attached to the drum, and is bluetoothed to a smartphone app. It doesn't exist yet, but I've conceptualized it, now some one needs to engineer it and build it.

Ted
Maxwell offers this as an option for their windlesses. It's not bluetooth, but is a magnetic counter that counts rotations of the gypsy. You calibrate it once for your chain size, and that's it.

I really like it. You just push a button and the anchor starts paying out and the counter tells you how much is out. I start to deploy while I'm getting into position, and stop when the anchor is about 10' off the bottom. Then when I'm in position, it's a short drop 'till the anchor is on the bottom and I can mark the spot with my anchor alarms. Then continue paying out while I creep back to lay out the chain.

On retrieval, it will haul in the whole anchor with one touch of a button, stopping when there's 6' left to go. The final haul and park you need to do manually.
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Old 02-02-2017, 04:02 AM   #24
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I like the idea of a chain counter, but more 21 century. How about a little device that takes a coin size battery, velcro mounts to the windlass, counts the turns of the drum from a simple decal attached to the drum, and is bluetoothed to a smartphone app. It doesn't exist yet, but I've conceptualized it, now some one needs to engineer it and build it.

Ted
The CruzPro isn't bluetooth but its just a couple of thin wires from the sensors to the helm, and a small magnet in the gypsy. Some cost, but basically just beans for most of the boats owned here. Easy to DIY.
CruzPro CH55 Chain Counter

Yes I still have some old paint on the chain but much prefer to now glance at the meter instead of staring at chain going over the bow roller, not daring to look away in case I miss a marker. Painting isn't just like phones pre-cell phone era, its back further - carrier pigeons?
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Old 02-02-2017, 05:02 AM   #25
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I understand how the current ones work, I was trying to avoid drilling a hole in the drum, sealing in a magnet, and having to snake wires up to the windlass. Clearly all the technology exists for what I described. Really don't want an automatic anchor retrieval system as I need to stop and start to clean the chain as I recover it.

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Old 02-02-2017, 05:17 AM   #26
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OK, can't help with avoiding the magnet and snaking wires. The latter can be a PITA for sure. But its just time, and maybe some lost skin.....

The CruzPro isn't automatic, at least the basic model isn't. It just counts turns of the windlass, calibrated by running a known length of chain out. I did not modify my existing windlass controls at all, and can start/stop from helm, flybridge or foredeck. I only have one meter, at the helm. So the final setting anchor step, ensuring scope is what I want, I do from the helm. Retrieval is mostly from foredeck for washing the chain.
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Old 02-02-2017, 07:47 AM   #27
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If it's the Admiral who must remember and recite the ditty in her head while deploying, I'd suggest RYBWO.
I just rethought this - in fact might be the way to go!
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Old 02-02-2017, 08:21 PM   #28
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Well we completed the job today. Afterwards I asked her to repeat the ditty. She said:

Rub Your Body With Grease!"

Sigh.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:16 PM   #29
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My first mark is 25 METERS or 82 ft, I never use less than that even if only a few ft under the keel.
2nd is at 164 ft and 3rd at, you can figure it out.

I can count to 3 so no need for any other colour than red.
I use cheap 6mm poly rope fed back and forth through chain, goes through chain wheel fine and lasts a lot longer than paint plus I can replace on the job, no need to remove chain to do it.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:20 PM   #30
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My first mark is 25 METERS or 82 ft, I never use less than that even if only a few ft under the keel.
2nd is at 164 ft and 3rd at, you can figure it out.

I can count to 3 so no need for any other colour than red.
I use cheap 6mm poly rope fed back and forth through chain, goes through chain wheel fine and lasts a lot longer than paint plus I can replace on the job, no need to remove chain to do it.
You need to come visit the Caribbean sometime and charter a boat.

It Will will be orgasmic heaven.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:26 PM   #31
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If you measure your scope correctly you need more out than you think.
I have 6 ft draft
6 ft tide with a few feet under is 10ft.
Water to deck is close enough to 9 ft.
That's 25ft by my calculations

3:1 scope is 75 ft so 82 is close enough.
I usualy prefer to run 5:1

If I didn't run the 150lb manson supreme and just used the 100lb plough that she came with I would want a lot more chain out again.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:39 PM   #32
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If you measure your scope correctly you need more out than you think.
I have 6 ft draft
6 ft tide with a few feet under is 10ft.
Water to deck is close enough to 9 ft.
That's 25ft by my calculations

3:1 scope is 75 ft so 82 is close enough.
I usualy prefer to run 5:1

If I didn't run the 150lb manson supreme and just used the 100lb plough that she came with I would want a lot more chain out again.
OK. But go ahead and look at the Bahamas Bank. Maybe use Active Captain.

The stress level just ain't that high!
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Old 02-02-2017, 10:33 PM   #33
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We are going to lay out our chain on the dock and spray paint at 25 feet intervals later today. Clearly the fore deck crew needs an easy way to remember the depth out given that we do not have a counter.

The US version of the color code is Rub Your Body With Oil, or Red, Yellow, Blue, White, Orange, then repeating.

My concern there is that the repeat with have orange followed by red. After a bit of fading these may start to look the same.

So I am thinking of using the Royal Navy version of Rub Your Balls With Grease. With the G being Green. So less chance of confusion.

I did clear this with the usual anchor crew this morning, and she said "OK, but don't be loudly reminding me every five minutes in quiet anchorages!"

Who, me?
Menzies, having just read your post re current plans now retired, clearly you are not short of a quid. So for heavens sake just fit a chain counter why don't you..?
Believe me, once fitted you'll wonder why you ever bothered with all that tejus chain marking/painting/whatever. It must be the only gadget you don't have. That alone should annoy you enough to correct that deficiency. Really, I'm serious. I have a very limited budget, but the chain counter is in some ways my favourite thing. You know...like raindrops on roses and mittens on kittens...get my drift..?

Here's a really modestly priced one that's easy to install yourself...hey, if I can fit it and have it work, anyone can. But in your case you'd probably just get one (? a better, more snazzy one - auto-retrieve, etc) fitted I reckon, and good for you on that. I envy your resources.

CruzPro CH55 Chain Counter
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Old 02-02-2017, 11:49 PM   #34
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Here's a really modestly priced one that's easy to install yourself...hey, if I can fit it and have it work, anyone can. But in your case you'd probably just get one (? a better, more snazzy one - auto-retrieve, etc) fitted I reckon, and good for you on that. I envy your resources.

CruzPro CH55 Chain Counter
As the price of that one is hard to find, it's $242. I agree with Peter. Chain counters are very useful.
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Old 02-02-2017, 11:50 PM   #35
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OK. But go ahead and look at the Bahamas Bank. Maybe use Active Captain.

The stress level just ain't that high!
Does your active captain app take into account 50 to 80+ knot storm cells and 180 degree wind shifts coming through at all hours of the night?

Real life happenings that I have been through in the last 6 months and had no dramas with.
Other boaters who were a "bit casual" idid not get off so well.
Its why I try and anchor as far away from others as I can.
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Old 02-03-2017, 12:12 AM   #36
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I also plastic chain brands, but difficult to see the pilothouse of view.


I approached this problem from the perspective of the calculation of the armature speed is fairly constant m / sec.


when the anchoring do the calculation the number of seconds required amount of chain outside the desired length. more than 15 years this idea and always acted "anchor did not disappoint"
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Old 02-03-2017, 06:11 AM   #37
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Does your active captain app take into account 50 to 80+ knot storm cells and 180 degree wind shifts coming through at all hours of the night?

Real life happenings that I have been through in the last 6 months and had no dramas with.
Other boaters who were a "bit casual" idid not get off so well.
Its why I try and anchor as far away from others as I can.
I saw right away your reason with that high bow.

But based on your boat dimensions and where I boat and how I boat, I would be doing 50 foot intervals. Doesn't mean that works for you.

6 foot tides aren't common in many waters where we are...yes several places have 8 foot or more...but with a range of zero tide to 10 feet...I can still do that math in my head.

And yes, our summer thunderstorms often have microburst straight wind speeds to 60 and above...cant say for all but I would think many here with years of cruising experience have experienced the same. Just last week in Florida we had a cold front pass through and many boaters I talked to clocked gusting winds above 50.

I choose anchorages when I can to keep myself out of those kinds of winds, I will pick a place with inches of water under my keel so I am not exposed, but where I boat, I have that luxury.
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Old 02-03-2017, 07:03 AM   #38
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Menzies, having just read your post re current plans now retired, clearly you are not short of a quid. So for heavens sake just fit a chain counter why don't you..?
Believe me, once fitted you'll wonder why you ever bothered with all that tejus chain marking/painting/whatever. It must be the only gadget you don't have. That alone should annoy you enough to correct that deficiency. Really, I'm serious. I have a very limited budget, but the chain counter is in some ways my favourite thing. You know...like raindrops on roses and mittens on kittens...get my drift..?

Here's a really modestly priced one that's easy to install yourself...hey, if I can fit it and have it work, anyone can. But in your case you'd probably just get one (? a better, more snazzy one - auto-retrieve, etc) fitted I reckon, and good for you on that. I envy your resources.

CruzPro CH55 Chain Counter
Funny man! I ain't that wealthy, especially now that I have the boat!

I don't do wiring - of any kind. That's a result of nearly burning my MIL alive in the back of an old Ford Escort that was our first car and the back doors didn't open from the inside! And all I did then was install new radio speakers on the back shelf!

So maybe when I have the guy come to do my ER and rear cameras I can look to have that done.
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Old 02-03-2017, 07:11 AM   #39
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Does your active captain app take into account 50 to 80+ knot storm cells and 180 degree wind shifts coming through at all hours of the night?

Real life happenings that I have been through in the last 6 months and had no dramas with.
Other boaters who were a "bit casual" idid not get off so well.
Its why I try and anchor as far away from others as I can.
In all seriousness, AC actually does. Since the reviews are from fellow cruisers they include impact of wind direction, speed, swell, holding, shore accessibility etc. Kind of like TripAdvisor for cruising.

However, I do take your point. Wind direction can change, squalls come through etc. Absolutely. But you do have to balance that against being a good anchorage neighbor and watching your swing. There are many places along the east coast and the Caribbean when you just are not going to be able to have an anchorage to yourself or to a few boats - and if you decide to avoid "crowded" anchorages you would miss out on some really wonderful cruising grounds.

Safe boating Antipodean!
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Old 02-03-2017, 08:36 AM   #40
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I like the idea of a chain counter, but more 21 century. How about a little device that takes a coin size battery, velcro mounts to the windlass, counts the turns of the drum from a simple decal attached to the drum, and is bluetoothed to a smartphone app. It doesn't exist yet, but I've conceptualized it, now some one needs to engineer it and build it.

Ted
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