On 4/1/2011 5:35 PM, Jessica B wrote:
I guess I'm still stuck on the anchor question... for people who
aren't really strong in the upper body... I can see why you might not
want to rely on an electrically driven winch to raise the anchor,
because if you did and ran out of battery, you'd be stuck. So... what
about a manually operated winch? I was at the Home Depot and saw a
hand crank winch. Wouldn't that work?

Without a picture or a better description, it's impossible to say. My
first reaction was that it probably can't stand up to a salt water
environment.

Generally speaking, and if you aren't in a crowded anchorage, you can
use your engine to 'creep up' on the anchor. That is, the boat slowly
moves forward and you take up rode as it goes, That's not very
strenuous. At some point, the anchor breaks loose and from there you can
rather easily get it on board unless you have an all chain rode or are
very weak.

Unless you are a really minimalist sailor, running out of battery has
some severe consequences you should guard against - much more than a
heavy rode. If you want an electric windless - fine. Then just assure
that you will not run out of battery so you can start your engine and
then run the windless.