Anyone make a home-made windlass?

[scoobert]

So while looking for a good windlass for heavy chain (1/2") i noticed a trend.
they are all very overpriced. $5000-8000
why is a windlass 3500# $5500, and a 12,000# winch only $300-800

so i was thinking, again, why not make your own? what would it really take to cut a caspian in half, and weld it to a winch drum?
i have to imagine someone has done it before now....

[BriRich]

you'd need to marry a gypsy to a.... what is a caspian?

[Delancey]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capstan_(nautical)

[Coops]

Originally Posted by BriRich

you'd need to marry a gypsy to a.... what is a caspian?

As we are all aware a caspian is a sea, so I guess you would need a Moses to cut one in half.

Coops.

[Sailmonkey]

I think you'll find the standard harbor freight 12000# winch a little lacking in the salt exposure arena.

[stillbuilding]

I think you will find several members have made their own windlass.

[scoobert]

spellchecker. it does not like nautical terms.

i did find some small boat (25-30') drum type windlasses.
seeing as how i will make my own anchor next year, i figure this would be a good fit.
i want a 105# anchor, and refuse to spend $800+ to have one.
i want it on a 1/2" chain. no, i will not make my own chain,
but i will look for a used one, and get the galvanization redone.

i tend to be a very thrifty person. as of today, i have spent more on dockage for our yacht, then repairs.

check out my major blog update!

[colemj]

Your price problem is the 1/2" chain, where the windlass sizes for that gypsy are probably larger than you need. Drop down to 3/8" G4 chain and reprice the windlasses. I bet they are half of what you posted.

Mark

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by colemj

Your price problem is the 1/2" chain, where the windlass sizes for that gypsy are probably larger than you need. Drop down to 3/8" G4 chain and reprice the windlasses. I bet they are half of what you posted.

Mark

i am planning a 7 seas voyage, with stops on every continent. i do not want a 60 knot gale to push me onto the antarctic coast. a 105# anchor or so, has more holding power then a 3/8" chain has breaking strength. i will be keeping my 5/16" for the primary, this will be my storm anchor, and my anchor i set when i go on shore for an extended period of time.
i want 600' of 1/2" on it. yes, this will be very heavy, and may be overkill, but i don't want an incident outside of towing range.

the home built windlass will be mounted below decks, out of the elements.

the 3/8" windlasses can be had inexpensively, under $2000 for some of the best models. over the next 12 months we will be making some major changes to our yacht.

[colemj]

OK, you certainly know what you are doing. I will just point out that others, in similar sized boats as yours, who have ACTUALLY done what you think you will do, do not carry the anchoring gear you think you need.

Interesting that you are so worried about anchor and chain size, but not the cost, and are not concerned at all about making your own windlass, but are about the cost of it.

Here is some advice: if Antarctica is a leeshore anchorage - move.

Mark

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by scoobert

i want 600' of 1/2" on it. yes, this will be very heavy, and may be overkill

About 1500lb.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by scoobert

i want 600' of 1/2" on it. yes, this will be very heavy, and may be overkill, but i don't want an incident outside of towing range.

This is sheer folly. Just buy G70 3/8"s if your that worried. It's MBL is enough to literally hang your boat from, and it's used as binder chain for heavy load transport so has a WLL with a much higher safety factor built in.

Also, when are you going to need 600' of chain? I personally think anything over 300' is a pointless waste of money and a danger to your vessel. Even if you're going to the arctic, 400' is plenty. Stuffing three quarters of a ton of chain at the bow of a 45' sailboat is going to create more safety issues than it solves.

I think you need to do a bit more research on ground tackle dynamics before you just decide to throw more metal at it.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by scoobert

the home built windlass will be mounted below decks, out of the elements.

Just curious how you envision leading your chain to a below decks windlass?
Seems like this will add undesirable complexity to your putative setup.

Jim

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by colemj

OK, you certainly know what you are doing. I will just point out that others, in similar sized boats as yours, who have ACTUALLY done what you think you will do, do not carry the anchoring gear you think you need.

Interesting that you are so worried about anchor and chain size, but not the cost, and are not concerned at all about making your own windlass, but are about the cost of it.

Here is some advice: if Antarctica is a leeshore anchorage - move.

Mark

the anchor i will make myself.

do you all think 1/2" chain is way overkill? i do not want to size the anchor down any.... i don't want to be the next "my anchor didn't hold" story

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Just curious how you envision leading your chain to a below decks windlass?
Seems like this will add undesirable complexity to your putative setup.

Jim

a few rollers, nothing fancy.