Windlass Lesson

[jcoyrochny]

Never had a windlass before and I've searching for some kind of lesson in how to anchor with a windlass. What is the diference between it and having to throw out the anchor.

 

[Stray Cat]

Oh what the hell, I'll give it a try.

First thing, a windlass is not a winch.

It is used to pay out and retrieve rode and the anchor. It is not meant for pulling the boat, or trying to pull out what ever your anchor may get fouled on.

I have a plow type anchor and set it most often in mud....sometimes sand. When the anchor is set in mud, it takes a lot of effort to break it free. This is the "it is not a winch part", once I get the chain rode straight down from the bow, I jog the windlass by momentary use of the foot switch. The jogging pulls the anchor up and allows me to retrieve this big ball of mud (anchor).

I always cleat the rode before setting the anchor to ease the stress on the windlass.

Depending on the mfgr. most offer a method to disengage the windlass motor to allow the rode to free fall. (This is good for deep water).

I'm sure I've missed something...perhaps others will chime in.

I always get a good laugh when people throw out the anchor. There must be something about the splash that gives people a rush.....

 

[tobnpr]

There are "free-fall models", and "power-down" models.
Free fall is just that- push the down button for a few seconds, and the gypsy will disengage and the anchor will release and fall towards the bottom just like you dropped it by hand.

Power-down models will lower the anchor at the same speed it retrieves it. This can be a disadvantage if trying to anchor in a specific location in deep water as it requires you hold the boat in position with the engines until the anchor reaches the bottom.

 

[skibum]

I have a plow type anchor. When lowering with the windlass, I found I get better results by making sure that the boat is moving backwards before the anchor hits bottom. The little "wings" on the sides work with the water flowing past it to keep the point facing down. If you just sit in one spot while you lower it, the point could end up facing in any random direction and you may need to drag it for a bit until it flips over and takes hold.

You just need to get the hang of knowing where to start when you begin to lower it. I typically pick my area, then go upwind of my intended spot by a good bit before I start lowering it. My Lofrans Marlin windlass is kinda slow, so if the water is 5-6' deep I go about 50-60' past where I want the anchor. 20-30' if the water is 3-4' deep. All you need to do is make sure that the boat is moving backwards before, and at the point in time when the anchor hits bottom. If anchoring in a crowded area, I pick a spot that is able to accomodate my intended swing radius, and then find a boat (must be swinging - no dual anchors) just upwind and out of that radius. I then drive towards their stern until I get to my starting point. A lot of times, I'll get that "you aren't going to drop that anchor there" look, but once I get to the point where the anchor hooks, I am usually pretty far away from them. If there isn't a lot of room behind me, I'll drop it until it hits bottom, raise it a foot or two, and then start moving backwards and paying out rode.

Michael

 

[Morpheus]

Since we are asking questions about this, I don't have this but hope to have a big enough boat in the future to have this.

The foot switch is by the windless at the bow right? How do you control the anchor and the boat at the time time do you run back and forth or is there a switch at the helm as well?

 

[Alegria]

Since we are asking questions about this, I don't have this but hope to have a big enough boat in the future to have this.

The foot switch is by the windless at the bow right? How do you control the anchor and the boat at the time time do you run back and forth or is there a switch at the helm as well?

Yep Helm switch. I am usually using that and controlling the boat with the wife on the bow to supervisor the operation, in case it becomes uncooperative retrieving the rode.

 

[gerryb]

This is one part of boating that you really need to practice with your mate/spouse to do it correctly,esp with a larger vessel. The boat has to get on top of the anchor wile the windless is pulling up slack. I have my wife at the helm and she watches me for direction using my hand signals (left, right, forward, stop) to guide her to the anchow while I'm controlling windlass from the bow controls. Practice at home a few times and your guests will be impressed at how well the two of you work as a team.

BTW, she sits put when it comes time to dock the boat at our slip - that has become a one person job thankfully.