Manual Anchor Windlass

[WINDGOTUS]

Has anyone had experience with Lofran's Royal manual windlass model
LW250AN?

[GMac]

Not personally but I've heard good things about them

[ssullivan]

Yes, I have this windlass.

I have anchored with it between 40 and 60 times and haven't had any trouble at all.

I use 3/8" BBB chain and a 50lb Delta with it. Payed out about 100ft average each of the 40-60 times I anchored and pulled the anchor back up.

[Sandero]

I had a manual and found it too much work and being an old codger I do the electric and that suits me just fine. It means I can anchor and re anchor without a worry and a back ache.

[scallywag]

I am looking for a monual windlass. defjef, what do you mean that it was too much work? Do you still have it?
John

[Sandero]

No I don't, I gave it away.

[scallywag]

Thanks for your reply. I am still looking.
John

[ssullivan]

Scallywag:

Not sure if you are looking to buy new, or overhaul a broken used one.

I have the Royal because the SeaTiger 555 Manual that came with my boat was frozen. I still have it, and was going to eBay it, but if you want to make an offer, maybe I could ship it to you (provided you were looking to overhaul an old one and wanted to pay the expensive shipping costs)

However, I bought the Royal because it wasn't worth the time/money it would take to rebuild the SeaTiger.

Just throwing it out there to give you more options...

[orion1]

Just replaced our old sea tiger 555, with a new one found at Florida Rigging. They say it was the last new one on the planet, still boxed and sealed.

The old one sticks some time and does not always work in both directions. A friend may want it but not sure yet. All of the parts are available and Flolrida Rigging does rebuild them. It is, according to Tim at FR, probably a minor problem and could be just a new lube job, since it does work as normal, some of the time.

We stayed manual as we like to keep things simple, traditional, and the electric load down. We are using a 35# Delta as primary, with 5/16 HT all chain.

[scallywag]

ssullivan,
I am looking for a new manual windlass, but thanks for the opportunity. Where did you buy the Royal? When I have called about a manual windlass, different stores said they were discontinued.
John

[ssullivan]

I got my Royal manual windlass at Defender. $750 or something like that.

[scallywag]

Thanks for the infomation.

[scallywag]

ssullivan,
I just checked Defender.com and they still have the windlass. The specs. have changed since 2006. The current specs. limit the size of the boat to 35'. Thanks for the info.
John

[ssullivan]

Now that seems odd...

I have a 34' boat (x 2 hulls and a HELL of a lot of windage) and it picks up my 3/8" BBB chain and 50lb anchor with ease.

Why would they limit the windlass based on LOA? I'd say you may be able still use it on your 36' mono.

Also, the alternative is some really *really* expensive brass one made in FL. Can't remember the name, but there just aren't any other manual windlasses out there.

[scallywag]

ssullivan,
I was thinking the same thing. What's a foot. I just purchased a 50lb anchor and 35 feet of chain. I can not imagine trying to drag that load back aboard.
John