Gene,
Thanks for the reply. So I guess that you can't pull the boat to the
anchor (assuming calm weather, little to no current)? While you have your
boat anchored, do you cleat off the anchor line, or is the windlass
sufficient to hold it ( again assuming calm weather, little to no current)?
If one uses an "all chain" anchor line, how do you cleat it off? Does the
anchor come up into the pulpit rollers without getting tangled up or does it
need human intervention? I notice that you tie off your anchor, is this
necessary, could you just have tension on the anchor from the windless? When
seating the anchor on the pulpit, how do you deal with not pulling it in too
much and damaging something? Do even the remote (in the helm) models have
controls at the windless or is this optional? Hope you don't mind all the
questions.
Paul

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 17:11:39 -0500, "Paul Schilter"
paulschilter@comcast,dot,net wrote:

Gene,
I'm not too familiar with windlasses. How hands free are they? If
you
had remote control in the helm station, would you still have to go out on
the foredeck to secure the anchor? In other words, could you just have it
set up so you could drop anchor and later raise it or does someone still
have to assist on the foredeck?
Paul


Paul,

Windlasses are designed to lift the anchor and rode.... they are *NOT*
designed to unseat the anchor from deep mud, weeds, or whatever. My
method is to motor the boat over the anchor, cleat it off and if wave
action doesn't dislodge it, I motor on a short distance pulling the
anchor over backwards. Once the anchor is free, I return to the helm
and lift the anchor with the windlass.

You will probably always need assistance at the foredeck, if for no
other reason than to wash the mud and sand from the rode as it goes
into the locker.

They are still wonderful things.... lifting 215 feet of 1/2" line, 35
feet of chain, and a steel anchor with one finger.....

--



Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC.

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