| 1. Why install a windlass. Manhandling
ground tackle on even small boats has the potential for major back strain
and injury. A windlass is not only a wonderful convenience it can also save
you time and potentially save your boat. If raising your anchor is easy
and convenient you will not be as reluctant to re-anchor should the need
arise. There are two types of windlasses of interest to the recreational
boater - manually or electrically driven.
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2. Manual windlasses supplement your muscle
power with mechanical advantage. They are available as either lever-type
(back and forth motion) or vertical axis (a circular winch-grinding motion).
Lever-type windlasses are generally single speed, and vertical models, like
sheet winches, have two speeds: a fast, low-power gear for use when loads
are light, and a slower speed with higher power for when the going gets
tougher
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3. Electric windlasses haul ground tackle
aboard with a touch of a button or a step on a pedal. They are even available
with remote controls for operation from the helm or wherever else you'd
prefer to be. An indispensable option on either model is a self-tailing
feature which takes in the slack as the line is hauled in and feeds it into
the locker below deck. The first step in choosing a windlass, however, is
to determine which type is compatible with your ground tackle.
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4. Horizontal or Vertical?
Although personal taste and your boating style are factors in choosing
either a horizontal or vertical style windlass, much of the decision was
made when you bought your boat. The size and configuration of the foredeck,
chain locker and forepeak dictate much of the criteria. First, let's look
at the differences between the two.
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A Horizontal windlass generally, though not
exclusively, is completely contained in one sealed unit mounted on the deck,
making it simple to install. The holes drilled for the hawse pipe and bolting
the unit down is all the drilling necessary. The windlass is fitted directly
over the hawse pipe and positioned in line with the bow roller to ensure
a fair lead. The rode is retrieved by the motor-driven gypsy and deposited
directly into the chain locker below. |
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A Vertical windlass has it's motor and gearbox
mounted below deck which leaves the foredeck relatively uncluttered, but
making installation a bit more complicated. Careful consideration must be
made as to positioning of the whole system before touching a saw. You must
be sure to have sufficient vertical clearance (more is better) from the
deck to the chain in the locker to ensure that it pays out properly. Vertical
windlasses are versatile, as the rode can be led from any direction. The
rode wraps around the drum/gypsy through 180°, and leads forward to the
hawse pipe and down into the chain locker. |
5. Where to Mount?
With either type, a windlass should normally be mounted
on the yacht’s centerline with the chain in close alignment to a
line drawn from the chain wheel through the bow roller (or chock)
to straight ahead in the water. It is important, especially for
combination rodes, to locate your windlass so that, as rope is stripped
from chain wheel or drum, it can “fall” directly into the rope locker.
6. What About Anchor
Lockers?
The location and depth of an
anchor locker are important elements in a windlass installation.
When the rode is in the anchor locker, the top of the anchor rode
should be a minimum of 16” below the underside of the deck. The
anchor locker should also be positioned so that the chain and rope
feed through the windlass deck plate or hawsepipe directly into
the anchor locker.
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7. What
Type of Chain Do I Need?
A proper fit of chain to chain
wheel is very important. Imtra offers a variety of chain wheels
to fit different sizes and types of chain. For optimum windlass
operation, a short-link chain is much preferred. We recommend ISO-specification
HT (G4) or BBB (3B) types of chain. The current HT chain we
offer is much stronger and lighter than earlier proof coil (PC)
and BBB chains. This allowed boaters to reduce the chain size,
therefore saving weight or allowing for a longer length to be used.
We also offer stainless steel chain (with the same size/configuration
at HT galvanized chain) for those looking for a more distinguished
look on deck. Imtra has full customizing capabilities.
We can make custom rodes of virtually any configuration (including
combination stainless steel/G4 chain lengths for a shiny look on
deck backed up by affordable and strong galvanized G4 chain).
Find out more in our
Anchor Chain, Line and Rodes
section.
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8. Power Down
or Free Fall?
All electric windlasses offer
power up/power down for controlled hauling or dropping anchor. Most
can also be operated in a free-fall mode by manually loosening the
clutch with the supplied handle; this lets the gypsy spin freely.
Many boaters prefer to drop anchor in the free-fall mode since it
is quicker to just let the anchor drop.
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9. Customizing
Your Installation?
AhoyCaptain offers a wide range
of
electrical switchgear,
anchoring accessories and
anchor rodes to customize your installation (or to enhance
an existing system). Every installation is unique. We
have extensive experience in developing solutions for even the most
unusual application. |
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Before purchasing any windlass, measure your forepeak to see
if everything fits. AhoyCaptain can provide you with a detailed manufacturers dimensions
plan.
If you need more
assistance in selecting a windlass or have other questions,
contact us by e-mail
or call us at 1-888-464-5581 and we'll be glad to assist you.
What ever type of anchor and rode you use,
AhoyCaptain has a windlass to handle it.
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