How to Use Simpson-Lawrence Windlass

[LennyR]

I have a model 180 Simpson-Lawrence electric windlass on my J/40. The 180 has a vertical spindle, with a drum on top (like a standard winch) and chain gypsy on bottom. My anchor is 55# and, with the weight of chain at depths over 15 feet (the chain is 20 feet long), the combined weight of the anchor and chain pulling on the anchor rode is too much for me to handle without mechanical assistance.

My problem is how to transition from the anchor line to the chain on the windlass. I can stop the windlass just as the chain gets to it, but then I can't exert enough force on the chain to pull it up 6 or 8 inches and set it into the gypsy teeth. I assume there is a technique to do this, but the owner's manual is silent on the matter. Anyone familiar with the problem -- and the solution?

[delmarrey]

You should be able to run the rode thru the gypsy. Most gypsies today have grippers for line. Check your owners manual for which size of line to use. You just need a proper spice of the line to the chain (no shackle) to flow nicely.

[Wainui]

20' of chain on a 40' boat as a primary anchor is too short. I would recommend at least 60 to 80'. That would make it easyer to feed the chain and rode through the chain sproket.

[Bash]

Lenny,

Welcome to CF.

I've had Simpson-Lawrence windlasses on my last two boats, and both have had gypsies that work on both chain and nylon rodes. If your windlass is non-ancient, it's a good chance that your gypsy is the same.

Which means it doesn't need to be switched. (Probably why the manual doesn't tell you how to switch it.)

[djmarchand]

I am a proponent of all chain rode, which avoids these problems. But having said that, having at least 50' of chain and a smooth nylon/chain splice avoids much of the problems.

Lets say you have 50' of chain backed by nylon and you anchor in 10' of water + 5' of bow roller height so you have 15' of bow to bottom depth so you use 75' of rode- 5:1 the minimum I would consider safe.

Using the gypsy you start bringing your rode in. It will be a bit tedious because you will often have to stop after 10-20' and push the pile of nylon down into your chain locker. But after you pass the splice it will be easy because the weight of the chain will let it feed easily and generally lay in your chain locker. Sometimes you have to knock down the pile of chain once.

Those problems go away with all chain.

David

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by djmarchand

Using the gypsy you start bringing your rode in. It will be a bit tedious because you will often have to stop after 10-20' and push the pile of nylon down into your chain locker. But after you pass the splice it will be easy because the weight of the chain will let it feed easily and generally lay in your chain locker. Sometimes you have to knock down the pile of chain once.

Those problems go away with all chain.

David

Actually, if the chain locker has enough drop, wet rode will carry itself down nicely. On smaller boats that maybe a problem, getting enough drop.