Windlass v. Anchor Winch for H260
- Thread starter Tedd
- Start date
IMHO, a 26 or 27-ft boat should not need an electric winch/windlass if proper anchoring technique is applied. Namely, to break out the anchor bring up, or heave, short the rode and let the boat’s movement break it out, or apply a little fwd thrust. Use a light-weight anchor like a Fortress so to lighten the dead lift. If you must use a winch, however, install a small one on the mast with a fairlead to the anchor roller (or stem chock?) and crank from there.
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There's an older thread on this. Not much help though
It's amazing how weak a thrown back can make you! One time mine was so bad I could barely lift a toilet lid!
Windlass
Hi and Merry Christmas to all! I own a Hunter 260 and I am planning to install a Windlass. Has anyone install one on a Hunter 260? I have the West Marine and Defender catalogs , but can not decide which one to use. On this month issue of Cruising World magazine, page 76 , there is an article...
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It's amazing how weak a thrown back can make you! One time mine was so bad I could barely lift a toilet lid!
That is correct but I instructed my clients to stop when any chain was coming out of the water. Remember this is a trailerable boat
Yes, I'm looking into that option, too. I don't want an overkill solution, but I do want something that will be "back safe" for me.
Lessee now, the nylon rode in the water weighs nothing so that's not going to bother your back. The chain and anchor account for all the weight. Once the chain and anchor are coming out, they are at their heaviest because water is no longer adding any buoyancy.
It may be easier getting it to the surface using a haul out winch but when the chain appears at the bow roller, lookout back.
Bit of a kink in the old back from sleeping wrong ? no problem manhandling it. Dose of sciatica in the back ? better carry a wheelchair below deck just in case
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Hate to start an anchor debate but the Fortress is a good anchor and is light. If I had a back problem I'd be on that like white on rice. I'd also lighten up the chain. On another thread I think we established that we could with lighter chain in terms of strength. With the Fortress the holding is not weight dependent. OP is in the PNW? I guess using more shallow anchorages isn't an option.
My R29 didn't have a windlass or even an anchor locker. I had a weight dependent system. It would kill my back (In my 40's) to lean over the bow rail to haul the chain and anchor up. It was such a bad body position. I never found a way to be comfortable hauling the rode in. My next boat had an anchor locker and a windlass. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!
My R29 didn't have a windlass or even an anchor locker. I had a weight dependent system. It would kill my back (In my 40's) to lean over the bow rail to haul the chain and anchor up. It was such a bad body position. I never found a way to be comfortable hauling the rode in. My next boat had an anchor locker and a windlass. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!
The feeling of absolute luxury when the dumba$$ on the helm picked the wrong spot to drop the anchor in 100' of water. No problem .............. simply push the UP button and let's do it all over again.
I was involved with the design of this boat and is not really set up for a windlass unless you want to spend alot of money and I am talking more than $1,000 and counting. This is a trailerable boat and was designed from that approach.. The coring is not thick like a 28 and up boat as an exammple..