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how necessary is a windlass
OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was
not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? |
how necessary is a windlass
On Sun, 6 Mar 2011 19:52:41 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote: OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? Well, yes,it is a bit harder with a larger boat. Say something over 40 - 45' with 3/8 inch chain. 3/8th inch BBB chain weighs about 1.67 lb./ft. and say you are anchored in 30 ft of water. Being lazy you use a scope of 3 x water depth so you've got about 150 pounds of chain and say a 40 pound anchor in the water, 200 lbs. more or less. The current is running at about 3 MPH, or 264 ft./minute, and your boat is anchored 150 ft. off shore..... As for handling the anchor on a smaller boat you can mount a vertical spool winch on the foredeck and wind in chain or rope; run rope rode back to the sheet winches or halyard winches. Or just put on a pair of gloves and haul away. The vertical spool is much easier to handle the rode with single handed. For whatever it is worth I set out, some years ago, to make a 3 day trip to Malaysia. We usually anchor out each night as islands abound along the way. The first morning we got up, ate breakfast.... going to get an early start and all. Hit the winch switch and it didn't even grunt. Nothing. So I hauled the anchor in by hand... with frequent stops to catch my breath and we continued on our way. By the time we got back a week later my arms were an inch bigger and I made damned sure to get the anchor winch fixed. Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
On Sun, 6 Mar 2011 22:12:34 -0800, Mark Borgerson
wrote: In article 07f06dc5-c126-4d4c-aa06- , says... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? Here in the Northwest a lot of boats over 30' use all-chain rodes. Those are really not fun to handle manually. A winch might work, but it would probably have to be self tailing. It also might not last long with constant exposure to spray, mud and sand. There's also the problem of tailing it off and getting the line into the locker or bucket or whatever. How much scope do you usually have out? How well will you be able to handle things if there is wind or currents? These are the things that make a second person really handy. Mark Borgerson A good friend owned a Bristol Channel Cutter, built by Morse, that was fitted with a vertical, bronze, hand cranked anchor winch with a combination gypsy and rope capstan. It worked pretty well and was easier to handle the rode then the usual horizontal winches. Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
I'm 68 and manage my Tartan 30 anchor by hand. It's a 25lb CQR with
40 feet of chain, then rope. Patience is the key, and maybe the fact that I never anchor in much more than 20 feet so the weight of chain I'm lifting is limitted. Of course in all but the calmest condition, it's the engine, not the anchor rode, that moves the boat up to the anchor. |
how necessary is a windlass
"Frogwatch" wrote in message
... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message
anews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. |
how necessary is a windlass
"Waldo" wrote in message
b.com... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message anews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? Waldo, the biggest part of the discussion here concerns aging sailors. There comes a time when we MUST recognize the limitations that age imposes upon us. In the case of ground tackle, the limitations are mostly due to a reduced capacity in the aged to handle heavy weights. Sure, a windlass can substitute but what happens when the windlass fails? Then the aged sailor is stuck with no viable options often in dangerous situations. Would it not be better to avoid danger than ask for it? Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mar 7, 11:38*am, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Waldo" wrote in message b.com... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message tanews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message .... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). *Am I missing something? *Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. *That is when it requires a bit of pull. *I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? Waldo, the biggest part of the discussion here concerns aging sailors. There comes a time when we MUST recognize the limitations that age imposes upon us. In the case of ground tackle, the limitations are mostly due to a reduced capacity in the aged to handle heavy weights. Sure, a windlass can substitute but what happens when the windlass fails? Then the aged sailor is stuck with no viable options often in dangerous situations. Would it not be better to avoid danger than ask for it? Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. Wilbur Hubbard My 28' S2 is a day sailer? Then how on earth did I manage to sail so much on overnight passages? |
how necessary is a windlass
"Frogwatch" wrote in message
... On Mar 7, 11:38 am, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Waldo" wrote in message b.com... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message tanews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? Waldo, the biggest part of the discussion here concerns aging sailors. There comes a time when we MUST recognize the limitations that age imposes upon us. In the case of ground tackle, the limitations are mostly due to a reduced capacity in the aged to handle heavy weights. Sure, a windlass can substitute but what happens when the windlass fails? Then the aged sailor is stuck with no viable options often in dangerous situations. Would it not be better to avoid danger than ask for it? Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. :: My 28' S2 is a day sailer? Then how on earth did I manage to sail so :: much on overnight passages? :: Waldo is a nut and an agitator! He's been on the rag since Jessica B gave him his comeuppance. |
how necessary is a windlass
"Gogarty" wrote in message
... What has always astonished me is that evry dinky little motor boat of 16 feet or more has a windlass as standard equipment while sailboats as large as over 40 feet do not. Our boat is 37'. I installed a windless. Best $2,000 I ever spent on the boat. There is ONE good thing that can be said about windlasses. They encourage adequately-sized anchors for the boat in question. Too often I have seen forty-footers anchoring up with a 25 pound imitation Danforth or cheap imitation plow of similar weight or, worse yet, one of those ten-pound aluminum anchors. Too often have I seen them dragging if the wind blows more than 20 knots. Since weight becomes less of a factor when a windlass is used, I notice how properly-sized anchors for the size of the boat are more often in evidence to the benefit of all concerned. Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:38:52 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Waldo" wrote in message eb.com... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message anews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? Waldo, the biggest part of the discussion here concerns aging sailors. There comes a time when we MUST recognize the limitations that age imposes upon us. In the case of ground tackle, the limitations are mostly due to a reduced capacity in the aged to handle heavy weights. Sure, a windlass can substitute but what happens when the windlass fails? Then the aged sailor is stuck with no viable options often in dangerous situations. Would it not be better to avoid danger than ask for it? That's exactly what I was thinking... what happens if it fails... mechanical and electrical things fail all the time, sometimes because of your own stupidity (like, ummm... running out of gas) or because there's a flaw or it wears out. What if something gets jammed in it? I don't really think this is so much an age thing as it is a brains thing. I know some pretty tough people in their 60's and 70's. Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. I think if everyone downsized a little bit, this would be a better place to live. Do we really need all those SUVs on the road?? |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:55:47 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... On Mar 7, 11:38 am, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Waldo" wrote in message b.com... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message tanews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? Waldo, the biggest part of the discussion here concerns aging sailors. There comes a time when we MUST recognize the limitations that age imposes upon us. In the case of ground tackle, the limitations are mostly due to a reduced capacity in the aged to handle heavy weights. Sure, a windlass can substitute but what happens when the windlass fails? Then the aged sailor is stuck with no viable options often in dangerous situations. Would it not be better to avoid danger than ask for it? Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. :: My 28' S2 is a day sailer? Then how on earth did I manage to sail so :: much on overnight passages? :: Waldo is a nut and an agitator! He's been on the rag since Jessica B gave him his comeuppance. LOL!! |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:01 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard There speaks the man with the tiny boat. Exhibiting both his envy of his betters and his stupidity. Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:38:52 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Waldo" wrote in message eb.com... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message anews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? Waldo, the biggest part of the discussion here concerns aging sailors. There comes a time when we MUST recognize the limitations that age imposes upon us. In the case of ground tackle, the limitations are mostly due to a reduced capacity in the aged to handle heavy weights. Sure, a windlass can substitute but what happens when the windlass fails? Then the aged sailor is stuck with no viable options often in dangerous situations. Would it not be better to avoid danger than ask for it? Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. Wilbur Hubbard Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 08:50:36 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote: On Mar 7, 11:38*am, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Waldo" wrote in message b.com... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message tanews.com... "Frogwatch" wrote in message ... OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). *Am I missing something? *Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. *That is when it requires a bit of pull. *I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. Wilbur Hubbard A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? Waldo, the biggest part of the discussion here concerns aging sailors. There comes a time when we MUST recognize the limitations that age imposes upon us. In the case of ground tackle, the limitations are mostly due to a reduced capacity in the aged to handle heavy weights. Sure, a windlass can substitute but what happens when the windlass fails? Then the aged sailor is stuck with no viable options often in dangerous situations. Would it not be better to avoid danger than ask for it? Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. Wilbur Hubbard My 28' S2 is a day sailer? Then how on earth did I manage to sail so much on overnight passages? Probably, unlike some, you just go ahead and do it..... not sit at home and talk about it :-) By the way, I met a bloke in Singapore that bought a Cornish Crabber and had it shipped from England to Singapore and then set out for Bangkok never having sailed a boat before. A year or so later I saw the boat in a marina near the mouth of the Chao Phaya river and asked the Harbor Master about it and he said the guy had sailed in one day, with his wife, about three months after he left Singapore. No electrics, no fridge, no anchor winch, no compass, no charts, no sextant. Just a guy and his wife and a one burner kero stove. Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:36:54 -0500, Gogarty
wrote: In article m, says... (Snip) A windlass is standard equipment on all serious boats, but as you say, a day sailor like yours can make do without one. No. It's not. Walk through a marina one day and look at who has a standard issue windlass and who has a retrofit if any at all. The motor boats all have windlasses. The sailboats are mostly retrofit. As a general statement I'm not sure that you are correct. I can walk through "my" marina and note that every sailboat, other then a couple of day-sailors, has an anchor winch mounted on it's nose although I have no way of knowing how many were fitted after purchasing the boat. Our boat is 37 feet. Came with a deck anchor locker and no windlass and no obvious way to install one. But we did it. Our ground tackle is 150 feet chain spliced to 250 feet of rope and a 35 lb Delta. We tend to stay put when we anchor. I gave up manhandling the rode years ago. Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
On Sun, 6 Mar 2011 19:52:41 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote: OK, I have not hauled my anchor in the last 6 months but then it was not too hard (28' 8000lb boat). Am I missing something? Does hauling the anchor (slowly) get that much harder as one gets older (I am 55). Generally, I haul her in slowly allowing the boats momentum to do most of the work until the rode is vertical. That is when it requires a bit of pull. I also use 1/2" nylon rode with 30' of chain so I am not hauling all chain. Does it get that much harder with a larger boat? In place of a windlass, why not mount an old manual winch on the bow and use it to help haul it in? Somewhere around 35 to 40 ft of boat length the weight of a proper cruising anchor and chain gets to be heavier than most people want to deal with. Serious cruising boats in that size range will typically have a 40 to 50 lb anchor and a mostly chain rode. Ideally the windlass will be able to handle both chain and rope but at the very least, chain. |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 12:36:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: There is ONE good thing that can be said about windlasses. They encourage adequately-sized anchors for the boat in question. Too often I have seen forty-footers anchoring up with a 25 pound imitation Danforth or cheap imitation plow of similar weight or, worse yet, one of those ten-pound aluminum anchors. Too often have I seen them dragging if the wind blows more than 20 knots. Since weight becomes less of a factor when a windlass is used, I notice how properly-sized anchors for the size of the boat are more often in evidence to the benefit of all concerned. Those are all excellent points. |
how necessary is a windlass
On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:38:52 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: Windlass = big electrical consumption = big motor with big alternator or = big, stand-alone generator = big wiring = big battery bank = big weight = big expense = big complications = big nuisance = big headache, etc. Is that what sailing is supposed to be all about? No - a windlass is not really a big electrical load, although it does need significant current when actually operating. My windlass (31 ft power boat) draws about 60 amps, and will run for about three minutes to raise the anchor - that's only 3 ampere-hours. Of course, the battery must be large enough to deliver 60 amps without much voltage drop, but the 3 AH used will be a fairly small portion of the total daily electrical use. -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca |
how necessary is a windlass
"Jessica B" wrote in message
... snippage That's exactly what I was thinking... what happens if it fails... mechanical and electrical things fail all the time, sometimes because of your own stupidity (like, ummm... running out of gas) or because there's a flaw or it wears out. What if something gets jammed in it? I don't really think this is so much an age thing as it is a brains thing. I know some pretty tough people in their 60's and 70's. Young lady, you display an ability to think more clearly than most of the so-called men in this group (rbc). Windlasses are infamous for jamming (not to mention taking off a finger or a toe of the unwary user). And you're right about some of use sextagenarians being tough. But, tough as I am I'd rather downsize than have to deal with something too big and heavy for my own good. Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. I think if everyone downsized a little bit, this would be a better place to live. Do we really need all those SUVs on the road?? The SUV bunch is bad enough but what about the greedy people driving RV's? Those things just seem to get bigger and bigger. Many are now bigger than a Greyhound bus and they stink up the joint with diesel fumes every bit as badly. They should be outlawed. Land yachts are just awful and so unnecessary. Those people are just too timid to invest in an environmentally friendly sailboat. They drive around demanding all the comforts of home. My suggestion to them would be to just stay home then. Duh! Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
"Bruce" wrote in message
... snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. -- Gregory Hall |
how necessary is a windlass
"Bruce" wrote in message
... On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:01 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: snip If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. There speaks the man with the tiny boat. Exhibiting both his envy of his betters and his stupidity. It is a well-known FACT that smaller sailboats sail more often than their larger cousins. Case closed! Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
... On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 12:36:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: There is ONE good thing that can be said about windlasses. They encourage adequately-sized anchors for the boat in question. Too often I have seen forty-footers anchoring up with a 25 pound imitation Danforth or cheap imitation plow of similar weight or, worse yet, one of those ten-pound aluminum anchors. Too often have I seen them dragging if the wind blows more than 20 knots. Since weight becomes less of a factor when a windlass is used, I notice how properly-sized anchors for the size of the boat are more often in evidence to the benefit of all concerned. Those are all excellent points. Thanks. Many of my replies contain some degree of excellence but it sometimes takes a more intelligent and discerning reader than the likes of Bruce, for example, to realize it. Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:37:19 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message .. . snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. Just goes to show you how little some people know about boats. People who sail 50' ferro boats don't have an expensive lever operated Simpson Lawrence winch. they have a geared two speed, local made, fisherman windlass. the one with the exposed gears. See http://motivationdocksupply.com/winc...nd-winches.php for an example. Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message Those people are just too timid to
invest in an environmentally friendly sailboat. Not everyone wants to sit in a sailboat that's going 3 MPH, and look at nothing but water. When you have seen water from horizon to horizon once, it looks pretty much the same the next time you see it. Only someone of low intelligence could sit in a boat for weeks at a time and do nothing. -- JerryD(upstateNY) |
how necessary is a windlass
On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:39:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message .. . On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:01 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: snip If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. There speaks the man with the tiny boat. Exhibiting both his envy of his betters and his stupidity. It is a well-known FACT that smaller sailboats sail more often than their larger cousins. Case closed! Wilbur Hubbard If that is true, and I'm not saying that it is, what is your excuse for sitting there for all these years on the yellow peril? Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
"Bruce" wrote in message
... On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:37:19 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message . .. snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. Just goes to show you how little some people know about boats. People who sail 50' ferro boats don't have an expensive lever operated Simpson Lawrence winch. they have a geared two speed, local made, fisherman windlass. the one with the exposed gears. See http://motivationdocksupply.com/winc...nd-winches.php for an example. Cheers, Bruce That would look real nice on a farm tractor. LOL! Do they sell one in John Deere green? Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
"Bruce" wrote in message
... On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:39:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message . .. On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:01 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: snip If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. There speaks the man with the tiny boat. Exhibiting both his envy of his betters and his stupidity. It is a well-known FACT that smaller sailboats sail more often than their larger cousins. Case closed! Wilbur Hubbard If that is true, and I'm not saying that it is, what is your excuse for sitting there for all these years on the yellow peril? Waiting for the right girl to come along, maybe? When a man has sailed the world lone-handed he just might decide it would be a nice thing to share with the right woman. Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
JerryD(upstateNY) wrote:
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message Those people are just too timid to invest in an environmentally friendly sailboat. Not everyone wants to sit in a sailboat that's going 3 MPH, and look at nothing but water. When you have seen water from horizon to horizon once, it looks pretty much the same the next time you see it. Only someone of low intelligence could sit in a boat for weeks at a time and do nothing. You got that right!! One trip on the Atlantic ON A BIG BOAT has lasted me a lifetime and I didn't even cross the whole thing!! ;-) We did downsize our RV, but the smaller RV gets 1 MPG less mileage than the larger one did. :-( At least the co-pilot can help drive it!! :-) BTW, we did our recreational enjoyment for years with a boat on the lakes and want no part of that any more either. Who has the right to tell me how to spend the kids inheritance if they are not complaining?? :-) Just put $110 fuel in the motorhome today and it's still not full, but that was all we could get the 19 cents a gallon discount on. :-( Tom J |
how necessary is a windlass
On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:32:11 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Jessica B" wrote in message .. . snippage That's exactly what I was thinking... what happens if it fails... mechanical and electrical things fail all the time, sometimes because of your own stupidity (like, ummm... running out of gas) or because there's a flaw or it wears out. What if something gets jammed in it? I don't really think this is so much an age thing as it is a brains thing. I know some pretty tough people in their 60's and 70's. Young lady, you display an ability to think more clearly than most of the so-called men in this group (rbc). Windlasses are infamous for jamming (not to mention taking off a finger or a toe of the unwary user). And you're right about some of use sextagenarians being tough. But, tough as I am I'd rather downsize than have to deal with something too big and heavy for my own good. I guess it comes down to how much work you want it to be to go sailing and spend the night somewhere without worrying about straining your back. Would it not be wise for aged sailors to consider downsizing? Is it not more gratifying to sail something one can still handle instead of being at the mercy of systems that often fail at the worst possible times? Just a thought. This bigger is better attitude is just plain stupid. I think if everyone downsized a little bit, this would be a better place to live. Do we really need all those SUVs on the road?? The SUV bunch is bad enough but what about the greedy people driving RV's? Those things just seem to get bigger and bigger. Many are now bigger than a Greyhound bus and they stink up the joint with diesel fumes every bit as badly. They should be outlawed. Land yachts are just awful and so unnecessary. Those people are just too timid to invest in an environmentally friendly sailboat. They drive around demanding all the comforts of home. My suggestion to them would be to just stay home then. Duh! Wilbur Hubbard I am totally uninterested in RV life. It seems like you should just get a motel room. I guess people might think it's more free when you can roam where you want, but with gas prices the way they are, it doesn't seem like much savings. |
how necessary is a windlass
On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:39:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message .. . On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:01 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: snip If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. There speaks the man with the tiny boat. Exhibiting both his envy of his betters and his stupidity. It is a well-known FACT that smaller sailboats sail more often than their larger cousins. Case closed! Wilbur Hubbard I think there's a pretty good case for what you say... seems to me that most people would want to have some help with a bigger boat? That means coordinating a bunch of people or both people in a couple having time and money to take off at the same time. |
how necessary is a windlass
On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 18:27:07 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message .. . On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:39:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message ... On Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:01 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: snip If you find yourself actually needing an anchor windlass then it should tell you that what you really need is a smaller boat with smaller ground tackle. Or, you might need to examine your technique. If you can't brute force something perhaps you can finesse it - like using the displacement of your hull to break the anchor free or reducing the chain length or using the (heaven forbid) the auxiliary. Just a thought. There speaks the man with the tiny boat. Exhibiting both his envy of his betters and his stupidity. It is a well-known FACT that smaller sailboats sail more often than their larger cousins. Case closed! Wilbur Hubbard If that is true, and I'm not saying that it is, what is your excuse for sitting there for all these years on the yellow peril? Waiting for the right girl to come along, maybe? When a man has sailed the world lone-handed he just might decide it would be a nice thing to share with the right woman. Wilbur Hubbard Probably you're right. When are you planning on starting your world sailing trip? Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 18:25:07 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message .. . On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:37:19 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message ... snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. Just goes to show you how little some people know about boats. People who sail 50' ferro boats don't have an expensive lever operated Simpson Lawrence winch. they have a geared two speed, local made, fisherman windlass. the one with the exposed gears. See http://motivationdocksupply.com/winc...nd-winches.php for an example. Cheers, Bruce That would look real nice on a farm tractor. LOL! Do they sell one in John Deere green? Wilbur Hubbard As I have repeatedly said. Every time you open your mouth you reveal more and more your amazing lack of knowledge. The paint you see on the winch is the primer. You can either leave it that way or you can put a coat of lemon yellow paint on it. Whatever shakes your tree. (Primer, Willie-boy is the first coat of paint. Usually with some anti-corrosion properties if used on steel.) Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
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how necessary is a windlass
On Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:18:02 -0500, Gogarty
wrote: In article , says... On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:37:19 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message ... snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. Just goes to show you how little some people know about boats. People who sail 50' ferro boats don't have an expensive lever operated Simpson Lawrence winch. they have a geared two speed, local made, fisherman windlass. the one with the exposed gears. See http://motivationdocksupply.com/winc...nd-winches.php for an example. Wow! I will recommend those windlasses to my freind with the Endeavour 42. Well... an Endeavour 42 IS a bit more upmarket then a ferrocement boat, usually :-) Cheers, Bruce |
how necessary is a windlass
"Bruce" wrote in message
... On Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:18:02 -0500, Gogarty wrote: In article , says... On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:37:19 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message m... snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. Just goes to show you how little some people know about boats. People who sail 50' ferro boats don't have an expensive lever operated Simpson Lawrence winch. they have a geared two speed, local made, fisherman windlass. the one with the exposed gears. See http://motivationdocksupply.com/winc...nd-winches.php for an example. Wow! I will recommend those windlasses to my freind with the Endeavour 42. Well... an Endeavour 42 IS a bit more upmarket then a ferrocement boat, usually :-) Those things are so S-L-O-W! (and ugly) Wilbur Hubbard |
how necessary is a windlass
In article s.com,
llid says... "Bruce" wrote in message ... On Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:18:02 -0500, Gogarty wrote: In article , says... On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:37:19 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message m... snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. Just goes to show you how little some people know about boats. People who sail 50' ferro boats don't have an expensive lever operated Simpson Lawrence winch. they have a geared two speed, local made, fisherman windlass. the one with the exposed gears. See http://motivationdocksupply.com/winc...nd-winches.php for an example. Wow! I will recommend those windlasses to my freind with the Endeavour 42. Well... an Endeavour 42 IS a bit more upmarket then a ferrocement boat, usually :-) Those things are so S-L-O-W! (and ugly) S-L-O-W and ugly are relative. Are you in such a big hurry that the difference between 4Kt and 6Kt makea a big difference? Mark Borgerson |
how necessary is a windlass
On Wed, 9 Mar 2011 22:39:40 -0800, Mark Borgerson
wrote: In article s.com, says... "Bruce" wrote in message ... On Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:18:02 -0500, Gogarty wrote: In article , says... On Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:37:19 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message m... snip Willie-boy, I keep telling you and telling you that you exhibit your lack of knowledge every time you open your mouth. My mate, the Australian, is 76 years old and sails a 55 ft Ferro boat with a mechanical anchor windless and gets along quite well single handing it. Of course, he IS a sailor, not a wantabe. Cheers, Nothing looks quite a silly as an old man with skinny arms off of which the skin hangs in folds standing on the bow of an overly large and cumbersome yacht pulling on the lever of a creaky old mechanical windlass, slowly stroking away with one inch of chain coming in at a pull. If that isn't a good enough argument for downsizing then nothing will convince you. Just goes to show you how little some people know about boats. People who sail 50' ferro boats don't have an expensive lever operated Simpson Lawrence winch. they have a geared two speed, local made, fisherman windlass. the one with the exposed gears. See http://motivationdocksupply.com/winc...nd-winches.php for an example. Wow! I will recommend those windlasses to my freind with the Endeavour 42. Well... an Endeavour 42 IS a bit more upmarket then a ferrocement boat, usually :-) Those things are so S-L-O-W! (and ugly) S-L-O-W and ugly are relative. Are you in such a big hurry that the difference between 4Kt and 6Kt makea a big difference? Mark Borgerson I just did a simple calculation... say you wanted to go 1000 miles, 1000m/6mph = 7 days vs. 1000m/4mph = 10 days. This seems like a big difference to me, but what do I know. I guess I agree that ugly is relative. |
how necessary is a windlass
Jessica B wrote:
I just did a simple calculation... say you wanted to go 1000 miles, 1000m/6mph = 7 days vs. 1000m/4mph = 10 days. This seems like a big difference to me, but what do I know. I guess I agree that ugly is relative. Depends on how much water you have left at 7 days... -- Richard Lamb email me: web site: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb |
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