Why is that a downside? I always start my engine before I pull the anchor up. What if it won't start and you've already pulled the anchor?
To answer the OP, my windlass is connected to the house battery.
How Do You Power Your Anchor Windless
- Thread starter jstauffer
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
To answer the OP, my windlass is connected to the house battery.
"Armstrong" ?
caltexflanc
Guru
Brings up a side note. Unless you have a giganto boat (or have plenty of hale and hardy crew), when figuring out your ground tackle, ask yourself "what do I do if the windlass doesn't work?"
markpierce
Master and Commander
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2010
- Messages
- 12,557
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Carquinez Coot
- Vessel Make
- penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
My chain gypsy has spokes beside it so a pipe can be used to raise the anchor inches at a time.
![unnamed[1] (2).jpg](/data/attachments/30/30914-9e61a3b6681a2bc68ec583acb679b550.jpg)
My windlass did fail a year go when I tried to anchor. There's a socket for a wrench and since it's 1/2" square I carry a ratchet to use as a manual backup. It didn't work.
The reason the windlass would not operate was that the motor had frozen (rusted) and would not turn. Because of the gearing, this meant that the windlass could not be operated manually either.
I went on to a marina and was able to free the motor up and use the windlass for the remainder of the trip but it failed on the next trip and I had to replace it.
I can pull my ground tackle up manually if I have to but I would rather not. It would not be safe in rough seas.
Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
My experience is limited but don't most electrical windlasses have a manual operation feature by which you can use a bar or a pipe to lift the anchor?
Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
If the windlass can only be operated when the motor is running is there some safety mechanism that allows the operator to drop the anchor when the motor quits in shallow water?
On mine (Lewmar) you can loosen the clutch (you need the square drive tool to do this) and the anchor will drop.
Or, just lift the chain or line out of the gypsy and let it down.
We have a Lighthouse 1501. If the motor fails, manual retrieval is through a socket that accepts a standard sailboat type winch handle. Here is what the manufacturer says about manual operation:
A winch handle socket on top of the winch is provided for kedging and allows a maximum pull manually through a 60:1 gear ratio. This means if only 35 lbs. of pressure is exerted on a standard 10" winch handle in kedging socket, a potential of 10,500 lbs. Is available at the capstan.
For example; 35 lbs. X 10" = 350 lbs., 350 lbs. X 60 (gear ratio)= 21,000 lbs., divide 21,000 lbs. By the radius of the capstan (2")=10,500 lbs. On most boats, this could be the most powerful device for winching available.
I've tried this at the dock only and it work great although slow.
A winch handle socket on top of the winch is provided for kedging and allows a maximum pull manually through a 60:1 gear ratio. This means if only 35 lbs. of pressure is exerted on a standard 10" winch handle in kedging socket, a potential of 10,500 lbs. Is available at the capstan.
For example; 35 lbs. X 10" = 350 lbs., 350 lbs. X 60 (gear ratio)= 21,000 lbs., divide 21,000 lbs. By the radius of the capstan (2")=10,500 lbs. On most boats, this could be the most powerful device for winching available.
I've tried this at the dock only and it work great although slow.
Attachments
We have a clutch on the side. The star handle in the above photo. In fact we lower the anchor most of the time using it vs. the electric reversing foot peddle (which is an option) because of how slow the windlass is. The retrieval and deployment speed is my only complaint with this windlass.
caltexflanc
Guru
Whatever your back up plan is, try it at the dock or in calm conditions rather than wait to test under duress. This kind of thing always seems to happen at the worst time, so know what to expect. If you are relying on a manual over ride on the windlass itself, then have a plan if for some reason that doesn't work, like a gear box failure or other non-electrical or hydraulic issue. After a few tests the ultimate back up plan may be "get out the bolt cutters/hack saw/ Sawzall !"
I love all chain rodes, but boy is it tedious manually hauling up 200 feet of it, and then of course, that anchor.
PS: Larry, always admired those Lighthouse units.
I love all chain rodes, but boy is it tedious manually hauling up 200 feet of it, and then of course, that anchor.
PS: Larry, always admired those Lighthouse units.
Mule
Guru
Let me guess, you posed for the artist that drew the label on the boxes of arm and hammer baking soda?
BruceK
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2011
- Messages
- 13,347
- Vessel Name
- Sojourn
- Vessel Make
- Integrity 386
The Muir horizontal windlass has a manual retrieve handle, slow as, but it works. Muir recommend removing the pawl it uses,to eliminate any risk of engagement during normal powered retrieve. Our windlass free falls, so no problem paying out without power.
hollywood8118
Guru
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2009
- Messages
- 2,379
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- " OTTER "
- Vessel Make
- Ocean Alexander Europa 40
Wouldn't matter on any of my boats.
With the failure of the switch the windless can drop or retrieve the anchor by itself ..it happened on my previous boat while all were ashore. I always shot off the anchor switch after shut down
Hollywood
Berthed at Brown's Bay Marina, just north of Seymour Narrows and Campbell River, BC.
She was built as a coastal patrol/combat vessel for the Canadian navy.
was then a tow boat for two companies before being refit as pleasure vessel.
I have been told the conversion (about 1961) was designed by Monk.
She seems to draw lots of attention.
Thanks
Ted
Don't know that there's a "should" in the answer. All three options can work. Pick the one that makes the most sense for your boat's electrical system.
FWIW, our Lofrans Tigres runs off the original windlass' wiring, which is from the house battery bank via a separate breaker which we leave off unless we're going to use the windlass.
As others have written, we always have both engines running when we retrieve the anchor.
