Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

I am not sure its worth it for your size boat

Windlasses can be great or a PITA. For many and particularly small boats such as yours there isn't engough room in the chain locker below to let the chain flow down without piling up and blocking the hause hole. Take a look at the thread about the poor Hunter 33 owner and his commisioning problems. I doubt if that boat can ever have a smooth working windlass.

Unless you are full time cruising and anchoring every day or two, I would stick with what you have. With a 35 lb. Bruce, Delta or Rocna and a short length of 1/4" HT chain, then your total weight that you are pulling up vertically in 30 feet of water is about 50 lbs. Use gloves as it will get nasty.

A deck wash pump system is also nice to have, but if I were just casually anchoring, I would use a bucket and brush when necessary.

If you single hand then forget all of the above and get the best windlass you can find. I like horizontal types. Most of these have an open hause hole that you can poke down with a long rod and clear a chain jam. Many vertical windlasses have the hause hole enclosed by the windlass, particularly Lewmar's and it is impossible to clear from above deck. When you dinghy is up on deck and blocks your chain locker hatch you have a real problem in this case.

David

Messages In This Thread