Chain Stopper

[Tony]

Have a new Catalina 350 (hull 166) and have a question about the windlass. Do you need a chain stopper? The windlass manual mentions it but the setup provided by Catalina does not have one. I loaded the line and chain and when using the windlass to bring in the chain it seem to rub against the anchor locker door (which was raised). I was using the starboard roller and loading the chain into the port section of the locker. Is this normal?When bringing up the anchor the first time there was a good deal of tension on the chain between the anchor roller and the windlass. I backed the windlass off a little (but it's still fairly tight). Is this the right thing to do?Thanks in advance for the help...Tony

 

[Tim]

Rubbing on the door?

Tony - when you say the chain seemed to "rub against the achor locker door" - and the locker door/hatch was in the up position, how far up/open do you have the door? Do you have it clipped to the stanchion or lifeline on the starboard side? At that point, the hatch/door should be nearly vertical and there couldn't be any contact between the windlass/chain and the door. I know that I need to have the door in that position in order to operate the up/down switches for the windlass. I suppose a picture of your interference would be helpful.As far as a chainstopper, I read that in the manual as well. I've done a little looking and thinking and I can't see where one could even be installed on our boat.I've got 40' of chain, and 250' of line. In the waters of puget sound, I will always have all my chain out, and then when I reach the desired scope, I secure my line to one of the available cleats - but take it off the windlass. When the anchor is secured on deck, I leave the chain around the windlass, but take the tension off the drum by using a rubber snubber hooked to the chain to tighten the anchor into it's roller.What did you name your 350? I saw (when your boat was in commisioning at Shilshole) that you had colored halyards and control lines and I was jealous.Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

 

[Tony]

Additional Info and Thanks

I had the door upright and locked to the lifeline (can't work the windlass otherwise). It was rubbing at the edge of the rounded corner. It may be that I had the door past 90 degrees causing the 'rounded bubble' part of the door to come up. I'll check that tonight.Thanks for the idea on the stubber line. I'm guessing you hooked it on the chain and then onto the cleat. The dealer recommended that I use 100 ft of chain which I did. I'm using a Danforth 1300 anchor and have another 200 ft of line after the chain. The Danforth always seemed to hold well for me in the San Juans and in and around Dyes Inlet (near Silverdale).Never gave the colored lines a thought. Just thought the boat came that way.... I've alwasy used colored lines due to inexperienced crews. They always seem to understand 'pull on the red rope'.....We named the boat the Mary Kathleen. Will have the christening party in March.... Thanks again,Tony PiwowarskiMary KathleenPort Orchard