Electric windlass? Yea or nay?

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by Sandero

Speaking of weight at the bow.... When I added a Maxwell VWC and 200 feet of chain and a spare anchor all of which was at the bow (most in an anchor locker) I never noticed the bow down... so whatever the weight it did not impact the trim. If that is the case... what was the impact of all this weight at the bow?

That's 100kg of chain, 50lbs+ for the windlass, another 30lbs for extra deck reinforcing & backing plates for things. Then another 20lbs for the #2 roller, plus another 50lbs, for the #2 anchor. On top of 100lbs for the chain & rode for the #2, & of course, 50lbs+ for your primary anchor.

So, total 525lbs+/- & you didn't notice the difference? That's the equivalent of parking a Harley Davidson on your furling drum! Quite literally.
Try taking it all out & going sailing, then add it back in & go out in the same conditions. There's a Huge difference. As in 1/4-1/2kt easily.

And all of that mass, right up in the bow surely contributes to pitching. Which is both unpleasant from a motion standpoint, as well as slow. And it's why racers are so fanatical about keeping weight out of the ends of boats. To include, inventing; first, the reverse transom, & then the open (AKA no) transom. Sans ANY stern under the deck side wings on many designs. Just open shelves at the deck edges to sit on, Zero vertical structure in the "cockpit".

Also, consider this. 25yrs ago, going to G4 chain was considered extreme amongst most cruisers, & that the weight savings wasn't worth it. Now the movement's towards G7, even as suggested by Rocna. So as to get better performance out of your ground tackle package, for less weight up forward.

[Rustic Charm]

Definately a good size electric.

It was one of the first things I got rid of when I purchased mine. The manual one was strong enough but way too much effort needed I thought.

[smj]

On a 30' boat, if your healthy and strong I wouldn't consider any windlass. If not then an electric windlass is a great addition.

[Sandero]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

That's 100kg of chain, 50lbs+ for the windlass, another 30lbs for extra deck reinforcing & backing plates for things. Then another 20lbs for the #2 roller, plus another 50lbs, for the #2 anchor. On top of 100lbs for the chain & rode for the #2, & of course, 50lbs+ for your primary anchor.

So, total 525lbs+/- & you didn't notice the difference? That's the equivalent of parking a Harley Davidson on your furling drum! Quite literally.
Try taking it all out & going sailing, then add it back in & go out in the same conditions. There's a Huge difference. As in 1/4-1/2kt easily.

And all of that mass, right up in the bow surely contributes to pitching. Which is both unpleasant from a motion standpoint, as well as slow. And it's why racers are so fanatical about keeping weight out of the ends of boats. To include, inventing; first, the reverse transom, & then the open (AKA no) transom. Sans ANY stern under the deck side wings on many designs. Just open shelves at the deck edges to sit on, Zero vertical structure in the "cockpit".

Also, consider this. 25yrs ago, going to G4 chain was considered extreme amongst most cruisers, & that the weight savings wasn't worth it. Now the movement's towards G7, even as suggested by Rocna. So as to get better performance out of your ground tackle package, for less weight up forward.

I think that's heavier than what I have... 5/16" chain and two 35# anchors. but I get the point... It's probable less than 250 pounds. I could remove the back up anchor... but not much else. I am not a racer ... and they have no ground tackle... so there's not much I can do practically...

Thank you for the reply!

[fallingeggs]

Originally Posted by smj

On a 30' boat, if your healthy and strong I wouldn't consider any windlass.

+1, but I don't know you.

I'm young and lifting 100' of 5/16 G4 attached to 45lb ground tackle has not yet been a problem for me. I'm spending the $2k+ elsewhere for the time being, but the windlass remains high on possible upgrades in the future.


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[TeddyDiver]

Not much of an option for OP but nobody having a hydraulic windlass or capstan?

[zeehag]

ok girl here, OLD one!---- i have a perfectly capable ha ha ha electric windlass(came with boat) which is undersized in my opinion for my heavy fat bottomed boat. so i got a manual one which is also a lil undersized. i been hand lifting 30 KG of bruce and all chain rode for 5+ yrs.
ok getting a lil tired of that.
so i am seeking a heavier than i need one of each. if both in one unit, more the better. but it must be oversized.
done with this hand over hand stuff. except in fishing. then hand over hand is superior.
oh yeah.. electric ALWAYS fails when ye least wish it to fail...

[Manos1955]

Try the electric windlass with a wireless remote control. It will give you a new dimension in your sailing

[kelbylinn]

I second one of the above comments. My autopilot and my electric windlass are indeed among my best additions for easier cruising and anchoring. Being 70+, and with 120' of chain on a 75# Rocna, I simply move my foot on the deck pedals and smile.

[S/V Alchemy]

Why not both? My Lofrans Tigres (horizontal) can be cranked manually or electrically. Belts and suspenders.

Of course, I think that while some failures are inevitable due to design or just exposure (a case for covering up the windlass when not in use, perhaps), others are due to usage patterns. I've seen people on boats draw the WHOLE BOAT to the hook with the windlass. Of course, the better choice is to bring it in vertically and to use the boat itself to break the anchor free when the chain is quite short. You can use the manual to "fine tune" the last few feet.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by JiminVA

Thanks. I'd go with a vertical model EXCEPT for the configuration of my boat. I have a Nonsuch and to access a below-decks windlass motor I'd have to pull the mast. A horizontal model would be better for me as I can access the motor directly.

Can you access the chain? You will need to.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Why not both? My Lofrans Tigres (horizontal) can be cranked manually or electrically. Belts and suspenders.

Of course, I think that while some failures are inevitable due to design or just exposure (a case for covering up the windlass when not in use, perhaps), others are due to usage patterns. I've seen people on boats draw the WHOLE BOAT to the hook with the windlass. Of course, the better choice is to bring it in vertically and to use the boat itself to break the anchor free when the chain is quite short. You can use the manual to "fine tune" the last few feet.

Have you actually used it manually? I've not had the Lofrans, but the ones I've had that had the "Manual option" were not really useable, you just had 1:1 ability to make a partial turn , then had to start over... like using an open end wrench you can only turn part circle.
Far easier to use gloves and your arms!
An analogy might be to use an electric drill motor with no power to turn a drill bit by hand...

[smj]

Originally Posted by fallingeggs

+1, but I don't know you.

I'm young and lifting 100' of 5/16 G4 attached to 45lb ground tackle has not yet been a problem for me. I'm spending the $2k+ elsewhere for the time being, but the windlass remains high on possible upgrades in the future.


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We have a 35 lb Manson and 50' 5/16" chain on our boat. I offered to buy an electric windlass but my wife refused saying she would rather lift the anchor by hand. I am a lucky man:-)


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[Mike OReilly]

I don't nearly the nm under my keel than many here, but I do anchor a lot. Our boat came with a stout Plath bronze manual windlass. I've used it for the past six years with nearly zero problems (I broke the handle once due to metal fatigue).

I'm not spiritually opposed to an electric windlass. They obviously work well, are faster, and are probably easier on the crew. That said I just haven't had any situation I couldn't manage with our manual.

ADD: The speed issue is one people often cite. I guess I'm rarely in that much of a hurry. My morning ritual is to take my second cup of coffee to the foredeck and start cranking away. Haul in to about 2/3:1 while partner finalizes at the helm and get the engine running or sails ready if we're sailing off anchor. Then I finish the haul in with the last few swallows of my coffee.

If your windlass is properly sized it's not hard work. A little repetitive perhaps, but gives you time to enjoy the anchorage one last time.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Have you actually used it manually? I've not had the Lofrans, but the ones I've had that had the "Manual option" were not really useable, you just had 1:1 ability to make a partial turn , then had to start over... like using an open end wrench you can only turn part circle.
Far easier to use gloves and your arms!
An analogy might be to use an electric drill motor with no power to turn a drill bit by hand...

I have had occasion to use my Lofrans Tigres manually when the deck mounted switch quit. It does work but it is tiring and slow. Each stroke, which is fairly easy, only brings in two links of chain. So with 100' of chain out that is several hundred strokes! It is good to have the ability to use it manually as a back up but much better to have it work.


S/V B'Shert