Power Windlass for 29.5?

[Dave Freeman]

Has anyone installed a power windlass on a "95 29.5? the anchor locker is pretty shallow; maybe a "self-spooling?" windlass is in order? I want to single hand---but am not sure about setting off/anchoring in wind and tides while handling the helm and bow anchor at the same time (hence a power windlass??) any ideas thanks

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Overkill

I'm not sure the batteries will sustain a windlass. Just wait for a lull in the wind, or motor at 1 knot to pull it loose. In any case, you're right about no place to put the windlass because of the anchor locker.

 

[Bill Murray]

re rig anchor rode

rig your anchor rode so that it can be led back to your sheet winches -- the spinaker winches are best - if you have them - if not get the line back to the helm station. Then you can motor slowkly up on the anchor retrieving the line as you go. when the line is straight up and down snub the rode on a cleat and coast (or motor slowly) over the hook to break it free. then retrieve the line until the unchor is in the bowroller. motor somewhere safe a short ways away. stow the line and put the safety on the anchor. VOILA!It works great for me all the time.

 

[Andy Falls]

Spend money

C'mon guys, he wants to spend money! Lets help him a little. Remember that tough to get up main? Kill two birds with one winch. Put a 2 speed electric winch on the cabin-top. One speed to hoist the main. Run the anchor line back to the winch, put it in low and pull up the anchor!

 

[Bill Murray]

another thought

I also should have added to my original comments that the biggest problem with a foredeck windlass is that it requires the single hander to be on the fore deck to use it. So here you are in the wind and current and maybe in a really crowded anchorage too on the bow - no where near your steering and engine controls. So you raise the anchor and now there is no one back at the helm to handle the boat which is moving in the wind - current- crowded anchorage. get my picture?The other problem is that windlasses typically advise the owner not to use to pull the boat up into the current/wind! common advice is to motor the baot up to the anchor while using the windlass to retrive the anchoring gear with out the wind/current pressure on teh windlass. I guess they cnsider it too big of a stain.If you are going alone, think out how ou will do it all yourself. I think the windlass is a bad idea. Of course, if you have lots of money then buy that new electric main winch!

 

[Dave Freeman]

Thanks for the Windlass help

Why didn't I think of that?? rigging an anchor rode back to the cockpit is a great idea. that'll save me a lot of aggravation & $$. Appreciate the advice.