Single handed anchoring

[Gazuum]

Your foot switches for your electric windlass are forward but your motor controls and steering are in the cockpit. It's a PITA running back and forth. Why not control it from the cockpit?
I think Lewmar or someone makes a wireless remote but the only reviews I found were not good and they are a little pricey.
I found a Warn Wireless winch control P/N 74500 for under $100 on Ebay and wired it in today and that sucker works great.
Stand at the wheel in the cockpit and control the windlass up and down at will!
Try it! You'll like it.

 

[Ross]

A long time ago in a place far far away the starter switch for cars and trucks was on the floor near the gas pedal. Then some one decided that a solenoid switch for the starter could be controlled by a little push botton on the dash board. It is very easy to replace the foot operated switch for the anchor windlass with a relay controlled from any remote location.

 

[higgs]

I am still using a manual windlass. as long as I am up to that I will continue to celebrate being strong enough into my 60s.

 

[zeehag]

i WANT a manual windlass--have electric lofrans but dont like it..want manual 2 speed . i have always single handed my anchor-- by hand...lol--had to overdrive the anchor and pull it up with engine in slow forward and run back and forth.my ericson is that way. formosa has the electric windlass...but isnt burly enough for my big huge brick....
dang ross--yer making it tooo easy--i want to have some beefcakeonmy bow....dang!! ruining all my fun!!!!

rofl

 

[agaliha]

remote control of windlass

I installed a switch at the helm that controls my windlass (up and down) on my Beneteau 361. It sure has made life easier. It only takes three small gauge wires to the windlass solenoid and an on-off-on (3 position) switch. My delta anchor won't "self launch" so I do have to go forward as I enter an anchorage and let out about 1 foot of chain so that the anchor is ready to "fall." This rig is particularly sweet for retrieval since I can throttle and steer into the anchor rode and pulse the windlass at the same time.
I call it the "marriage-saver."

 

[Bill Roosa]

electrical remote switches

I like the idea of being able to control the windlass from the helm. Since I only have an "up" foot switch on the bow this would be simplicity itself (except for running the wires) to set up. Just parallel the foot switch with a momentary contact switch at the helm.
Course I have found that anchoring in calm water does not even require someone at the helm. Just turn on the engine, leave it in neutral and lock the rudder amidships. Then go forward and step on the foot stitch. The boat takes off and runs right over the anchor with no fuss or muss. Don’t even get my hands wet, let alone muddy, any more. Then just walk back to the helm and motor off.
This would allow me to sail off the anchor single handed though. Hummmm

 

[Warren Milberg]

I'm one of those sailors, mostly a single-handler, who spends a lot of time thinking about what I'd do if something, or some system, went south. What do you guys, who use an anchor windlass, do if the windlass doesn't work? Do you have work-arounds for breaking a big heavy anchor out of the mud or sand and getting it back aboard?

 

[Witzend]

My concern would be:
Buy being present at the anchor locker I can monitor pay out or in and avert any problems that may arise. Operating blind opens yourself up to a jam that will occur and may not be easily remedied at the worse possible time.

 

[Rick Belew]

I want to reiterate from experience the Lewmar windlass remote is crap! Do not waste your money. I single hand and you need to drop anchor and move aft to prevent chain from falling on top of anchor. A remote switch really helps. When raising anchor in strong wind it removes the stress on the windlass because you can motor up to anchor.

 

[jibes138]

What kind of anchor?

Doesn't it all depend on what kind of anchor you are using and the size of it? What is the best anchor anyway?

 

[zeehag]

Doesn't it all depend on what kind of anchor you are using and the size of it? What is the best anchor anyway?

uh oh--another best anchor thread--LOL.. depends onh what you like best-i like cqr, many others prefer something else and will not hesitate to tell you it is the BEST.. which may not be the case for you and your situation.. what is used most and is most popular where you sail and anchor???
t he amount and size chain is also important.

 

[COOL]

What is the best anchor anyway?

The best anchor is a palm tree on the shore of a tropical
lagoon with 85 degree water.

 

[zeehag]

The best anchor is a palm tree on the shore of a tropical
lagoon with 85 degree water.

works for me---i am soooo on that......march 1!!!!!!!

 

[Smithy]

I've been wanting to ask that question, without opening the pandora's box that's sure to follow. My water is Potomac River, whose bottom is largely silt and mud in most places, with a gravel underneath. I was thinking a small danforth and a mushroom combo.

 

[zeehag]

I've been wanting to ask that question, without opening the pandora's box that's sure to follow. My water is Potomac River, whose bottom is largely silt and mud in most places, with a gravel underneath. I was thinking a small danforth and a mushroom combo.

mud anchors--cheap ones--- cqr--GOOOD; danforth-GOOOOD; bruce- GOOOOOOD.
oversize for comfort. i use a 35 pound cqr on my ericson 35mII with 100 ft of 5/16 chain and 400 ft of 3/4in rope rode. works great even in our mizery winds of winter...u to 90+kts......
for 22 ft light weight boat--i would use a 20 pound danforth and chain---min 30 ft.5/16...

 

[Benny17441]

My windlass is the Hand Over Hand model and will continue to use it until the day I have to call BoatUS to come and get the anchor out because I find myself aground.

 

[Andy1237]

Benny, the great thing about a Hand Over Hand windlass is that it can be used from the bow or the stern! Sometimes I convert my H-O-H model to the Bow-RWK model (Row with Knees)! And if the hands and knees get tried, just run the rode to the nearest winch.

 

[rpwillia]

Smithy - are you a DISC guy?

I've been wanting to ask that question, without opening the pandora's box that's sure to follow. My water is Potomac River, whose bottom is largely silt and mud in most places, with a gravel underneath. I was thinking a small danforth and a mushroom combo.

Danforth's on the Potomac work find as long as the wind doesn't shift too much. Not to start a flame war:naughty:, but MaineSail's video on the Rocna convinced me. A friend is getting a ROCNA for Christmas (his wife fessed up - she was pretty jazzed) and I am anxious to see how he likes it for our area.

 

[WinnieT]

KISS

Recently in a position of single handing, so far I have no problem with going forward and taking care of business, by hand. Sometimes I have to cleat it off and drive forward to break the anchor loose. Without these little challenges, where is the adventure? You men have to use those burley muscles or you'r going to loose them. Windless??? Who needs a windless??? (grin)

 

[njsail]

I've been single handed anchoring for about 10 years. most of them without a windlass on a 27' Island packet. I just sail up into the wind and when the boat is almost at a stop I walk with a little pep up to the bowspirit and drop anchor. Raising was a pain with the wind over 20kts if anyone was anywhere near me (too much chance for a problem). Last year I had the pleasure of buying a boat with a Lofrans Cayman windlass and all chain. I installed a hand held up/down that stays in the chain locker. Same sail up into the wind...walk forward and hit the down button till the chain is out to the length I need.

I always thought I wanted a cockpit mounted anchor switch until I realized the windlass is so strong it could rip apart the bow of the boat or cause some serious damage if you didn't stop it before the anchor chain was tight.

Either way good luck.