Windlass Barrel question

[ColleenIII]

Can anybody tell me what the barrel part of my windlass is for?
I have a Lewmar Ocean 1 with the barrel on top. It looks like a winch barrel but the anchor rode goes thru the Gypsy below it and you cannot easily remove the rode to use the barrel for winching in some other line. So what use is the barrel then?

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Same Question .................

So glad you asked, Fabaile.

I have the same question as I'm looking at installing a Lewmar windlass. Looking at either the V700 or V1 as a contender. I'm also scratching my head about the Lewmar CPX2 gypsy/drum. Same question ................ how do you transfer from the line on the drum to the chain on the gypsy as the anchor comes up ?

Am I wrong in saying that the gypsy/drum arrangement allows you to use any size of line (but chain size must fit the gypsy) ? According to the Lewmar literature, the line size must match the drum.

So many questions ................... so little time .

 

[Charles Erwin]

Seems to me the low profile vertical windlass like the V700 will need a precise rope diameter, lay, and stiffness because there is no way to take a wrap around a drum (barrel) and tail the rode. With no drum no chance for other uses like maybe kedging off the local sandbar.

Also these low profile units run the chain/rope directly into the locker and the cover (the spurling or chain pipe) sort of prevents any opportunity to lay out the chain and rode - on the deck - to clean off the mud.

Maybe I don't fancy vertical drumless units but I must admit they make for a spiffy foredeck.

Charles

 

[Tejas]

We don't have a Lewmar windlass, but the question seemed interesting.

Ralph, I was unable to find a user manual, but the manual for another Lewmar windlass seems to describe that the chain can be locked and the line gypsy can be operated independently with the chain still on the lower gypsy -- page 24.

http://www.lewmar.com/assets/img/dataset/Manual-V1-6_65001201_Iss.2.pdf

Charles,

I've operated a Lewmar vertical winch and the chain and line are run through the same gypsy. Both the chain and line size should be in the manual. Tailing the line seems to help. As for tailing, as soon as line goes into the locker, pull the line up through the locker lid and keep a bit of tension on the line.

We have a vertical windlass and because there is only a 1/4 versus 1/2 wrap on the gypsy, tailing line seems essential.

 

[Charles Erwin]

Oh dear - I see.

My comments apply where the foredeck has no chain locker access from on deck - only a chain pipe. In such cases, once the rode goes into the pipe to the space below there is no way to reach it from on deck.

Charles

 

[ColleenIII]

Ralph, I don't think you ever take the rode out of the gypsy. There is a slot in the gypsy for the rope part of the rode that just pulls in the line like the chain part. No need to transfer.

My question is really what the purpose of the barrel above the gypsy is. Not all windlasses has them. I am guessing you can release the brake mechanism so the gypsy does not turn when the motor is operated and then use the barrel to winch in your secondary anchor. Then set the brake again to winch in your primary as you always do. Of course, you have to secure the primary anchor to use the barrel for winching if the primary is already in and you want to use the barrel for something else. Is that about right?

I have never done it before and I am not really sure the barrel will turn independent of the gypsy but when I took it apart for cleaning I think I see how the barrel is connected to the motor at all times while the gypsy depends on the brake to be set to operate or spin free. In theory I should be able to use it to raise my jib single handed if I had temporary turning blocks set up right to lead the halyard to the windlass. Then I could feed the jib with one hand at the same time I raised with the windlass pushing the button with with the other. Hmmm?