Ron's Windlass Project - Mark I Double Door Version

[jmnpe]

Great article, Ron, in this month's Mainsheet describing your windlass installation. I looked for the full version in the Projects section and couldn't find it. Is it lost in the pipeline somewhere??

John

[Ron Hill]

John : It's posted in Projects now.    

See: http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-anchor-windlass-apache.html

[Paul Blumenfeld]

This is great!  Is it a straight shot from the bow roller to the windlass?  I currently have a manual windlass mounted behind the anchor doors. I haven't measured but it seems like the rode would not be parallel from the roller to the windlass and would have to angle down considerably where you installed the lexan. Do you have a picture with the anchor chain taut?

   

[Ted Pounds]

Nice job Ron.    

[Ron Hill]

Paul : No I don't have a picture with the chain taunt - but it's a straight shot back from the roller to the gypsy!!! 
The lexan is there because the chain bounces up/down when you stop the windlass.  The first thing that you learn with an electric windlass is that if you pull up the chain in one long continuous pull -- you can't believe the MESS that is left - mud all over the place!!  Better to pull up a few feet at a time and get the chain clean, rather than pull it all in at once!!!  Believe ME!!   /

[jmnpe]

Ron,

That's just one more thing that makes the Chesapeake Bay fun!!! 

John

[Paul Blumenfeld]

Thanks Ron.  I'll have to measure this weekend and get it installed soon.  Lifting the anchor with the manual is a pain when I'm out by myself. 

I like the price on the V700 since it's about half the price of the V1. But the Lewmar documentation says it only goes to 1/2" line.  Do you know if it would work with 5/8" line?  I just replaced my old 1/2" line last summer with 5/8" since it works in the manual Anchorman I currently have.  That extra 1/8" lets me sleep better at the islands.

[Ron Hill]

Paul : I don't believe that the V700 will handle 5/8" line, but here's what I'd do to make that work.  (If your nylon is braid on braid it MIGHT be OK - check with Lewmar).
I'd get 50 ft of 1/4" HT chain.  Then you can still use your new 5/8" nylon and hand pull it in until you get to the chain.  Then put the chain in the gypsy and turn on the windlass.  The only real pull on windlass is after you break out the anchor and are bringing it up - the last 15/20 feet!! 
A thought.   

[BMhoch]

Hey Ron
You mention that the up/down foot switch needed replacing.  Isn't it always exposed to weather on deck? Why did it fail?  Also, can you shed more light on the solenoid/control box.  What happened here, and what was it's replacement?  Other than that, I think it's great not to have the motor in the V berth!
Thanks
Bruce Hoch
Vanishing Point
#642 1988 Mark-1

[waterdog]

I installed a V700 this summer.  The boat came with a brand new 10 kg Bruce with 5/8" nylon.    I didn't sleep well at night - no fear of the rode breaking, just no confidence that the anchor would hold in blow.   Now I have the V700, 1/2" nylon, about 40 feet of chain and the heavier Bruce.   I sleep very well - and no back pain!    1/2" will stand up to any anchoring load you can put on it, just mind the chafe.

[Ron Hill]

Bruce : What I said on the switch was that the one that came with the kit would not survive in an anchorwell environment  - it had an OPEN back (it was made for inside a cabin dashboard)!!!  That's why I went to a "UP" foot switch.  Then you need a solenoid for the up or down foot switch to work.