"Alan Gomes" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Apr 13, 8:23 pm, wrote:
I used to see manual windlasses but not anymore. Can you still get
one of the type with a lever you push back and forth or where you use
a winch handle?
I just looked and they are still around. So, here is my question. IS
a windlass more for just breaking the anchor free or for actually
hauling it up? If breaking it free is a problem, why not just lead
the rode around a winch? One could also tie a prusik loop to your
rode and then lead that to your winch to break it free.
Another possibility is a homemade device based on a Gibbs Ascender
like Cavers and climbers use. It slides easily one way on a rope but
grabs when pulled the other way. Lead your rode through an anchor
roller pulley and then to your cockpit where it will be piled when it
comes out of the water. You have a line (Line A) attached to a Gibbs
body but the Gibbs is put on the anchor rode so that when you pull
Line A it pulls up the rode. Line A goes around the winch. The Gibbs
also has a length of shock cord attached between it and the bow. When
you pull Line A, it pulls up the rode by way of the Gibbs and you pile
the rode in the cockpit. When you slack Line A, the shockcord pulls
the Gibbs back toward along the bow and along the taut rode. Repeat
over and over just as if hauling up a sail by way of a winch.


You don't need a winch to break an anchor free, and I wouldn't suggest
using one. You could damage a winch or even a windlass. All you need to
do is head toward where the anchor is sitting, hauling in the rode as you
go. When you get directly overhead, cleat off the rode onto a strong,
backed cleat, and keep going slowly. The anchor will come free, assuming
it's not snagged on something of course. Then, reapply the hauling.
You're done.

As a similar variant to this: Pull all the slack out of the rode so that
it is as taught as it can be, hanging straight down, and cleat it off.
Then sit back and have something to drink while you let the rocking motion
of the boat do the work of breaking it free. If you have several people on
board you can have them move to the bow while you tighten the line as much
as possible, cleat it, and then have everyone move aft to the cockpit.
This could help some.

As to the general question, I think the purpose of the windlass is to aid
in retrieving the weight of a heavy anchor and chain rode but not for
breaking the anchor loose--though I'm sure many people use them for the
latter.

--Alan G.


Alan, I like the sitting around part even better! LOL My only concern would
be if there are other boats around, you and crew have too much to drink, and
fall asleep rocking back and forth.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com