Anchor winch considerations

[stuendan]

I am looking at installing an anchor winch on my H326 and note that the anchor locker is set up to take a vertical windlass.
The concern is that, with limited rode drop in these boats, and as reported in other posts on this subject, anchor retrieval requires a crew member up forward to keep clearing the rode from bunching up or kinking and causing jams on subsequent drops - not good if single handed in a big blow!
Possibly sacrilege, but is there any reason why drum type anchor winches aren't an option for "mid size Boats". They are hugely popular in the fishing boat fraternity locally.
A suitable unit can lift 350kg and hold 100m of 8mm rope (double braid nylon) + 10 m of 8mm chain. Adequate capacity for coastal cruising I think!
Any thoughts (and be gentle with me)

 

[Rich Stidger]

I don't know what your anchor locker looks like but we have a vertical Simpson Lawrence (now Lewmar) mounted horizontally in our locker.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Your 326 most likely has the same locker as my '99 H-310. Try this:

Was that gentle enough ? No profanity, no obscenities, no bodily threats. Hmmmmmmmm, I'm getting more social at this.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Just re-looked (a brand new word) at your original post.

A suitable unit can lift 350kg and hold 100m of 8mm rope (double braid nylon) + 10 m of 8mm chain.

Just re-looked (hey, a brand new word) at your original post.

Stop everything and head back to school. I mean sit down, read, and learn. No winch that will fit inside your locker will budge 350 kg. Learn what a locked rotor is ! 8 mm. rope is waaaaaaay to small. 1/2" is the absolute minimum. and that's on the light side.

Spend a few hours and check out the archives here to see what's up with windlasses. Google the manufacturer of your projected windlass and LEARN how to read read the mechanical and electrical specs on their installation sheet. Mostly lies and exaggerations.

After that, come back with any realistic questions you may have.

 

[stuendan]

"Stop everything and head back to school. I mean sit down, read, and learn."

Wow Ralf, you're big on BOLD aren't you - obviously a very confident and capable person

The 350 kg pull is just with one layer on the drum, and I agree not a practical measurement expect for when comparing drum winches.

As for anchor rode diameter, the rule of 1/8" diam /9' of boat is based on 3 strand PP rope!.
Rope strength depends on it's construction and what it's made from - Double braid nylon is much stronger than common "silver" 3 strand anchor rope, and High Spec or Dyneema (stronger than same diameter steel rope) used on 4wd winches and for boat standing rigging is stronger again - albeit very expensive, but I'm sure you know all this stuff.

Drum winches are made for boats up to 100ft, obviously with big drums capable of holding the necessary rode length and diameter.

But anyway, why not address the point of my original post - in general terms, why not drum winches!

 

[Growl]

I want a drum winch!

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

The 350 kg pull is just with one layer on the drum, and I agree not a practical measurement expect for when comparing drum winches.

All theatrics and histrionics aside, NO this has nothing to with friction on the drum as opposed to a gypsy. Look at fig. 7 on page 7 of my attachments in post #3 above.

I refer you to the V1 which I installed on my H-310. We see a MAX PULL of 454 kg. This is in the locked rotor state of loading the electric motor. This is what I told you to study. It is of no practical use. The rotor is supplying enough torque to support a load of 454 kg. but will not lift a load of 454 kg. The windlass motor is about to blow its fuse. Learn how to use this figure.

But anyway, why not address the point of my original post - in general terms, why not drum winches!

Because it is highly unlikely you will ever use the drum section. Not to mention that swapping the rode from the drum to the gypsy during a lift can be a real finger mangler.

END OF LECTURE

As I used to tell my mechanical students, "I can't learn it for you" which is precisely what you're hoping for.