Help Picking a Windlass

jongolds · #1 04-16-2007, 12:40 PM

I'm tired of feeding my anchor rode throught the small hole on deck in to the locker on my Tsunami. I'm adding a windlass but thought I'd see what people here might already be using succesfully or if you have andy advice.

They all seem to be rated by pulling power and speed. Speed is obviously a matter of convenience but how much power do you think is needed for a 23' Tsunami. My feeling is that I would be fine with the smallest model from almost anyone. Do you think that's right?

What's the difference between manual and automatic freefall? Is freefall as important as I think it is?

Anyone have any experience using a vertical model on a Tsunami or Scepter. I prefer the look but am not sure about the room in the locker for it or if there as dependable. Is anyone using a vertical model succesfuly or unsuccesfully?

eggsuckindog · #2 04-16-2007, 03:27 PM

Not too familiar with them but as far as free fall vs manual here in WC Fla when trying to anchor on a precise rock pile free fall is needed. I you don't need to anchor on a specfic spot shouldn't be a big deal.
www.usavemarine.com have set up some boats down here with them and should offer decent pricing and advice on power, they have email on the site, as they may not list them.

abl1111 · #3 04-16-2007, 07:36 PM

I have a Lewmar Horizon 600 on my 23' Tsunami - it is awesome ! I highly recommend it. I actually like my whole set-up w/ regard to my anchor roller and windlass. The Free-fall option is over kill unless you fish in really deep water. I have never found it to be a problem in my area - the depths at which are at deepest 20-30'. However, if you wanted to anchor for offshore wreck fishing or other, maybe the FF would be nice - but if I were planning to do this type of fishing/anchoring, I would use a sh*t anchor anyway for fear of losing it to the reef.

jongolds · #4 04-16-2007, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the input. Is the 600 vertical or horizontal?
If FF isn't really an issue I'm thinking of going vertical but I'm afraid it won't work well with the anchor locker. It sounds like a vertical windlass needs a deeper locker in order to have enough rope hanging before hitting the bottom to pull the incoming rode down (ie. you need the weight of the hanging rope to make the incoming rope come off the winch properly making the 90 deg turn down in to the locker.

doug7488 · #5 04-16-2007, 07:49 PM

Check out the info in the West Marine catologue. They have lots of info in the side bars.

abl1111 · #6 04-17-2007, 10:23 AM

It's vertical ( it sits flat and the chain/rope are pulled in in a vertical position ).

I have never had a problem w/ the rope getting into the locker correctly. It just does every time. There is plently of room. The only problem could be if you use too much rope/chain and it piles up too high in the rope locker and does not allow the incoming rope to come in - it could jam ( I experienced this while bareboating in the Caribbean on a 44' sailboat w/ all chain ). I have never had this happen on my SC - I have 200' of - I think it's 1/2" I'd have to check )

This system works great ! The anchor roller I used is a Windline ( I think a CAR 4 ) - it's the one that cantilevers. This model is not advertised a lot but Windline makes the best of that style. If you get it, let me know, I did a small, cheap retrofit that makes it work 100% perfectly.

If FF isn't really an issue I'm thinking of going vertical but I'm afraid it won't work well with the anchor locker. It sounds like a vertical windlass needs a deeper locker in order to have enough rope hanging before hitting the bottom to pull the incoming rode down (ie. you need the weight of the hanging rope to make the incoming rope come off the winch properly making the 90 deg turn down in to the locker.

jongolds · #7 04-17-2007, 11:49 PM

Unfortunately, I always just stick catalogs in the recycling as soon as they arrive. I can't stand the way they seem to pile up and I spend less money when I'm not constantly looking at all the cool things I don't have. I'll check em out on line. I've looked at Lewmar's site but didn't find it all that informative

jongolds · #8 04-19-2007, 02:03 PM

Here's what I meant by vertical
http://en.lewmar.com/products/index....=1&page_id=424

versus horizontal
http://en.lewmar.com/products/index....=1&page_id=431

The horizontal is a lot bigger on deck but throws the rode straight down. The vertical is a cleaner look but the rope comes out to the side so you need the weight of the falling rope to pull it down in to the locker making that 90 degree turn down.

abl1111 · #9 04-19-2007, 04:28 PM

Then I guess I have a horizontal ( which by the way it works and looks; seems like it should be called vertical ).

But, I stopped trying to make sense of certain things a long time ago.

Horizon - Horizon'tal - I guess the name sort of says it, but the gypsy, 'the pulley thing' that pulls the chain up is in a vertical attitude vs the flat windlass, which has a gypsy laying horizontal ?!

jongolds · #10 04-20-2007, 10:07 AM

Seems counterintuitive to me too. Anyway, after giving it more thought I realized although I like the looks of having the motor mounted below deck, it doesn't really make sense in this application. With a setup like yours I can mount it directly over the hole in to the locker rather than behind it. That means a smaller overall footprint and no need for a piece of hardware over the hole in the deck to keep out water.