Anchor winchlass

[Skipper]

Have 2 anchors, a 13 and an 8, both Danforth. Drop them both when anchored, either bow\stern if required or both on the bow as a sleep aid.

Raising both by hand, while usually not amazingly arduous, causes complaints from the arms and back, very much so if there is a stick.

Was looking at windlasses, decided a manual windlass would be perfect. Less expensive, can use the winch handle, no wiring or holes to dig, yet still removes a good deal of muscle effort. Then, it dawned on me: Why would I install another winch? there's already four on the boat.

If I run the anchor line back to a cabin top winch, that would serve to raise the anchor, piling the rode into the cockpit, untill the chain breaks water. then I could unsnap the bow roller guide and haul everything on deck, retrieve the rode from the cockpit and stow all in the anchor well.

My question is: Have any of you used existing winches to raise anchors and if so what have been your results?

 

[catsailor]

I used to have a 26' boat with those size anchors.

Have 2 anchors, a 13 and an 8, both Danforth. Drop them both when anchored, either bow\stern if required or both on the bow as a sleep aid.

Raising both by hand, while usually not amazingly arduous, causes complaints from the arms and back, very much so if there is a stick.

Was looking at windlasses, decided a manual windlass would be perfect. Less expensive, can use the winch handle, no wiring or holes to dig, yet still removes a good deal of muscle effort. Then, it dawned on me: Why would I install another winch? there's already four on the boat.

If I run the anchor line back to a cabin top winch, that would serve to raise the anchor, piling the rode into the cockpit, until the chain breaks water. then I could unsnap the bow roller guide and haul everything on deck, retrieve the rode from the cockpit and stow all in the anchor well.

My question is: Have any of you used existing winches to raise anchors and if so what have been your results?

My new boat has a windlass. My thoughts? For those anchors I would not use a windlass unless I had all chain... which I would not on that boat. To get them free of the bottom, go over them and use the boat's momentum. Motor over the hook, and then cleat it when it is straight up-and-down. Danforth anchors respond well to that.

I think the winch will just be harder work. Then again, my boat was a cat and there was room to work on the bow.

 

[Maine Sail]

Let the boat..

Let the boat do the work.

Hit it in forward for a short blast and then go to the bow and retrieve rode as the boat glides towards the anchor. Once over the anchor snub the rode on a cleat and let the momentum of the boat break the anchor free as it glides over it. The only lifting you'll do is from the bottom, maybe 20 feet, to the anchor roller..

P.S. Setting two anchors can be worse not better in certain conditions such as reversing tides or wind shifts. Having one good primary anchor, that will set well and re-set on wind/tide shifts, and one you can rely on is a valuable asset.

 

[Skipper]

Thanks guys, but I know how to anchor and raise Regardless of a potentially long and separate debate, I still use 2 anchors and they still have to be dead lifted and if one sticks, I will still have to pry it out of the mud, usually by brute (brute?) vertical force as I will try that first before stopping everything and initiating a motoring routine. This almost always works but of course is stressfull on the body. If I used a winch, possibly I could relieve the stress of not only raising the anchor(s) but also being prepared with additional leverage if there is a stick, prior to starting the motor which could be done if there was a major stick.

My question was, has anyone used exiting winches to raise anchors and if so what have been your results.

 

[Stu Jackson]

And it's windLASS - but I get your "meaning" - good one!

My question was, has anyone used exiting winches to raise anchors and if so what have been your results.

Yes, see photo. Remove jib sheet, run anchor line through jib fairleads to jib sheet winch.

Sometimes I don't run the whole anchor rode through the fairleads, but use an extra long line and rolling itch it to the rode or tie it to the end of the anchor chain if it's up that far.

U can also un-hook each individual anchor as MS says, just let out more rode on the second as you work over the first. makes it easier on the winch! :dance:

 

[sailingdog]

Using winches to raise anchors is a bad idea IMHO. Anchor rodes often come up with mud and other assorted nasty stuff on them that you probably don't want on your winches or on your sheets...which is what will happen if you get the stuff on the winches...

Winches don't handle chain either... and trying to haul in the chain requires you to run a line forward from the winch and tie it to the anchor chain and then drag the chain across the cabin top... causing a fair bit of damage to the gelcoat and such in the process.

Generally, the time you need the windlass the most is hauling up the very last bit of the rode, which should be chain, and the anchor itself. Running the anchor rode back to a cockpit winch is a lousy idea IMHO... especially if you're not going to be able to use it to haul up the anchor and chain.

A windlass is used for anchor rodes for a reason. I use a small manual Anchorman windlass, and it is really a great solution IMHO. The reason I got it was simple, my Rocna 15, the 30' of chain (now 60') and the 30 lbs. of mud and sand the Rocna has on it was a PITA to haul up by hand.

 

[Capn Dave]

Well Dog I kinda disagree with some of your thinking

I used the winch on the mast to haul up the anchor, no mess in the cockpit and the rode is hardly ever muddy, until you get to the chain. That is where I used a chain hook attached to about 30' of rope rode. If the chain is muddy, this is the tricky part, I had my significant other take a brush and a bucket of water to the bow and clean the chain as it comes up. I was to cheap to buy a windlass.
Like you I now have a manual windless and can crank it up and clean the chain at the same time.

Before I thought of using the mast winch, I used a Polyball fender and a stainless steel ring. You put the ring around the chain, the ring has an opening so you can place it over the chain, then attach the ball to the chain. Fire up the engine and drive at a 45 degree angle to the anchor. The ball will ride down the chain all the way to the anchor and pull the anchor out and actually float it to the surface. It really works. The only problem was where to store a polyball. I used to inflate it every time I used it, a PITA, however it works. Here is a link to one http://www.savvyboater.com/p-42-anchor-ring-anchor-retriever.aspx

Fair Winds
Dave

 

[sailaway78]

Mast winch

I single hand a lot, and sometimes getting an anchor up can be a problem. I use the mast winch in these situations with no problem. Of course I don't use chain on it, but by the time the chain is to the winch, I'm pretty well done. See no harm in this, and if by yourself, and it's blowing pretty good, certainly makes life a little easier. I use the engine to break out the anchor of it's buried pretty good, and motor off a ways to wash most of the mud off before bringing it on deck. Do whatever works for you, and makes life easier.

 

[sailndive345]

...Before I thought of using the mast winch, I used a Polyball fender and a stainless steel ring. You put the ring around the chain, the ring has an opening so you can place it over the chain, then attach the ball to the chain. Fire up the engine and drive at a 45 degree angle to the anchor. The ball will ride down the chain all the way to the anchor and pull the anchor out and actually float it to the surface. It really works. The only problem was where to store a polyball. I used to inflate it every time I used it, a PITA, however it works. Here is a link to one http://www.savvyboater.com/p-42-anchor-ring-anchor-retriever.aspx

Fair Winds
Dave

Dave,

This polyball/ring set up looks quite interesting - After viewing the photos/drawings (savvyboater) I thought the towed behind rode/chain/anchor looked a little too close to the prop... Did you ever have any issues with fouling the prop while dragging this stuff behind?

Happy Easter!

Sailndive

 

[sailingdog]

The winches on my mast are too small to bother trying to use.

I used the winch on the mast to haul up the anchor, no mess in the cockpit and the rode is hardly ever muddy, until you get to the chain. That is where I used a chain hook attached to about 30' of rope rode. If the chain is muddy, this is the tricky part, I had my significant other take a brush and a bucket of water to the bow and clean the chain as it comes up. I was to cheap to buy a windlass.
Like you I now have a manual windless and can crank it up and clean the chain at the same time.

Before I thought of using the mast winch, I used a Polyball fender and a stainless steel ring. You put the ring around the chain, the ring has an opening so you can place it over the chain, then attach the ball to the chain. Fire up the engine and drive at a 45 degree angle to the anchor. The ball will ride down the chain all the way to the anchor and pull the anchor out and actually float it to the surface. It really works. The only problem was where to store a polyball. I used to inflate it every time I used it, a PITA, however it works. Here is a link to one http://www.savvyboater.com/p-42-anchor-ring-anchor-retriever.aspx

Fair Winds
Dave

 

[Stu Jackson]

In my picture in my post above

I ran the rode back through the jib fairleads to the cockpit winch. The chain was still at the bow roller, although the shackle was aft of the roller. The new Rocna wouldn't come up (gotta love it, Benny!!!) and even at first try, using MS's "run over it concept" it wouldn't come up. So by doing this I was able to still bring some in as the boat went back over the anchor, and it worked. Because I have 50 feet of chain and there was a very light breeze all night, not ALL of the chain was caked with mud becaue of the catenary. Once the anchor broke free I was able to go forward and bring the rest up by hand. I've only had to do this three or four times in 25 + years, but it works.

99% of the time MS's concept works just fine. I have a slight variation on that idea: Usually I do the "cuppa Joe" trick: sit on the bow with a cuppa, pull some rode in, have more Joe, pull some more, get over the anchor and haul it up. Usually engine-less --- I like to keep it as quiet as I can as long as I can in the morning. This is especially true if we're up early and I don't wanna disturb others in the anchorage - I keep the engine off as looong as we can.

I sure wish the powerboats with their generators wold keep their generators off until 1000, but then how'd they cook their breakfasts with their electric stoves?!? Not to hijack a thread, but what the heck are electric stoves doing on boats???

 

[Ross]

Re: In my picture in my post above

I usually pull rode until I encounter dead pull resistance and snub the line and ask Nancy to pull it free with the engine. If there is any wave action I use the wave motion to break it out. Take up the slack as the bow dips and snub the line on the rise. So far I haven't had the anchor foul and I still haven't rigged a trip line and buoy.

 

[Skipper]

Thanks for the pics and replies.
Some things I hadn't thought of, such as gunk coming onto the winch which will have to be avoided. But also the using of the jib winch instead of cabin top winch, which would be a flatter path. Looking at your pics, my rode path would even be straighter, as my shrouds are anchored at the cabin top and I could use the gen cars, as the tracks are on the deck and go forward enough to clear the house (I think).
Yes, starting the engine when raising is not always good, as it's a huge amount more fun to excellerate away silently from an anchorage and I don't like to run the engine for only a few minutes and then shut it down without reaching op temp.
It's settled, my shopping for a windlass is now postponed. Will wait to experiment with winches. Thanks all.

 

[Capn Dave]

Ahoy Dave

I don't let the Poly Ball get behind me. Like I said, I drive the boat at about a 45 degree angle away from the anchor. I sure as shootin dont want that anchor and rode get behind me even though I have a full keel

Fair Winds
Dave