I have found that the rode-only anchor windlass that came with my Cat320 is practically useless. I can easily motor up to the anchor and bring in the rode by hand. It's the chain and anchor that is the back problem. A friend with a new Cat 310 has the same issue. Has anyone retro fitted a chain hub or tried a diferent windlass ? I am hoping to find something that will fit into the anchor well and replace the present one, without modifying, if possible.
rode-only anchor windlass useless
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Yup.
Though the 320 Association website is down temporarily, there is an article on upgrading the windass to add a wildcat. The easier (cheap)fix is to tie a line to the anchor shackle with a bowline. The line should be about six feet longer than your chain. run it parallel to your rode and tie it to the nylon rode with a rolling hitch. Pull up the rode and then loop this "sleeper" around the capstan and haul away while your chain drops into the locker. You can then cleat it off snugly on the locker cleat to prevent the anchor from bouncing off the roller.
Though the 320 Association website is down temporarily, there is an article on upgrading the windass to add a wildcat. The easier (cheap)fix is to tie a line to the anchor shackle with a bowline. The line should be about six feet longer than your chain. run it parallel to your rode and tie it to the nylon rode with a rolling hitch. Pull up the rode and then loop this "sleeper" around the capstan and haul away while your chain drops into the locker. You can then cleat it off snugly on the locker cleat to prevent the anchor from bouncing off the roller.
thanks Chris
Thanks Chris. I will give this a try this week. It sounds like a simple, but clever solution.
Thanks Chris. I will give this a try this week. It sounds like a simple, but clever solution.
Ron Which model windlass does your C320 have?
The newer C36's have the Maxwell 800 on their boats. They used to have the Freedom RC800 ( http://www.maxwellmarine.com/gen_freedom.php?sub=features )on the boats but they now went to the VW800 series, which has its advantages. ( http://www.maxwellmarine.com/gen_vw.php?sub=features ) But I still like my Freedom Windlass and never having to change touch anything as the gypsy can handle the chain and the nylon rode and the transition --- downside is if it gets really jammed its not as easy to unjam as the VW series that is all open. If you have the type that doesn't have the gypsy I have heard people just wrap the chain a few times around the capstan and continue hauling. I've heard it works fine. Sure its going to "roughen" up the chrome a bit but who cares....its a windlass. I would call Maxwell and see if you can upgrade the VC series to add a gypsy essentially making it a VW series.
The newer C36's have the Maxwell 800 on their boats. They used to have the Freedom RC800 ( http://www.maxwellmarine.com/gen_freedom.php?sub=features )on the boats but they now went to the VW800 series, which has its advantages. ( http://www.maxwellmarine.com/gen_vw.php?sub=features ) But I still like my Freedom Windlass and never having to change touch anything as the gypsy can handle the chain and the nylon rode and the transition --- downside is if it gets really jammed its not as easy to unjam as the VW series that is all open. If you have the type that doesn't have the gypsy I have heard people just wrap the chain a few times around the capstan and continue hauling. I've heard it works fine. Sure its going to "roughen" up the chrome a bit but who cares....its a windlass. I would call Maxwell and see if you can upgrade the VC series to add a gypsy essentially making it a VW series.
Thanks Tom
My windlass is the VC500. The previous owner never used it for the reasons I mentioned. My back dosen't afford me the luxury of hauling chain by hand anymore. I'm surprized that the chain/rode model is not the standard for the C320. I will look into the links you provided
My windlass is the VC500. The previous owner never used it for the reasons I mentioned. My back dosen't afford me the luxury of hauling chain by hand anymore. I'm surprized that the chain/rode model is not the standard for the C320. I will look into the links you provided
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