No Windlass

[SayGudday]

Gudday!

What are the options if you don't have a windlass? I assume there is a way to use the existing winches and maybe some additional blocks to raise the anchor? Something similar to what the Egyptians did when building the pyramids?

[zeehag]

i did hand over hand raiosing of my anchor with my ericson and other boats---have the boat break the anchor loose then hand over hand. one could use a winch, bu ti found just as easy to raise by hand.

[SayGudday]

Zeehag, as you know, I'm headed your way so what kind of anchor are you using?

[zeehag]

right now i am using a dockline or 5. when i am on anchor in old harbor i will again be using my 45 pound cqr with all chain rode. i still have to make a snubber. with this boat i use a manual windlass

[SayGudday]

Originally Posted by zeehag

right now i am using a dockline or 5. when i am on anchor in old harbor i will again be using my 45 pound cqr with all chain rode. i still have to make a snubber.

Gotya. I have a small, but handsomely majestic, Triton equipped with a 35lb CQR so that sounds like it might do the trick for me then, eh?

[zeehag]

chain ...how much chain,,you will want 50-100 ft.

[SayGudday]

Originally Posted by zeehag

chain ...how much chain,,you will want 50-100 ft.

Yep, got about half that right now BUT....flea market this weekend. If that fails, craigslist.

[SayGudday]

Originally Posted by Minggat

I can envision a setup that would do the job. It would include a chain stopper and a lot of running up and down your deck. Trouble is that when your anchor has broken free of the bottom you would be vulnerable. That's my lightweight language because eventually you would find yourself in trouble. If you;re single handed it would only be compounded. Any other boats in the anchorage would also be vulnerable.

Before I start the process of raising my anchor, I try to make everything ready to compensate for the loss of control that I had when my anchor was set. The engine is running and I make myself aware of where any breeze is going to send me. I have an electric windlass to make the job go as fast as possible so I can get back to the helm.

When you consider that your anchor is a safely device, it might help to understand where I'm coming from.

I am currently in a place where it's still legal to talk on the cell phone while driving. I feel vulnerable and nearly got clobbered just today. Point is, I don't want to be anchored next to anyone who is trying to leave the anchorage with a slow "windlass" system.

Good point!

[zeehag]

in the anchorage in old harbor and on the rest of the west coast you really want 100 ft of chain. i use 5/16 in both my boats.

[SayGudday]

Originally Posted by zeehag

in the anchorage in old harbor and on the rest of the west coast you really want 100 ft of chain. i use 5/16 in both my boats.

TWO boats? I barely have a half a boat with my little Triton!

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by SayGudday

Good point!

I guess i didn't delete it fast enough. I know that a lot of folks get along with slower systems and I didn't want to set myself up for a bashing. But I remember having no windlass with a much smaller boat than I have now. My hands were hamburger and my back was... unhappy.

Another point to consider. The more difficult it is to raise your anchor, the less motivated you might be to put out sufficient scope. I still battle that with the memory of my.... windlass..less... days.

[SayGudday]

Originally Posted by Minggat

I guess i didn't delete it fast enough. I know that a lot of folks get along with slower systems and I didn't want to set myself up for a bashing. But I remember having no windlass with a much smaller boat than I have now. My hands were hamburger and my back was... unhappy.

Another point to consider. The more difficult it is to raise your anchor, the less motivated you might be to put out sufficient scope. I still battle that with the memory of my.... windlass..less... days.

Sounds like the best option for me would be to find a strong backed, playboy model who wants to go cruising so she can raise the anchor for me. You don't happen to know any, do you?

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by SayGudday

Sounds like the best option for me would be to find a strong backed, playboy model who wants to go cruising so she can raise the anchor for me. You don't happen to know any, do you?

Now THAT would be living the dream.

[SayGudday]

Originally Posted by Minggat

Now THAT would be living the dream.

Well keep an eye out for me, just in case you bump into one (or more, I'm not fussy) on your travels

[SkiprJohn]

If you get over here to Hawaii I have an electric windlass with a wildcat made for 3/8" BBB for sale. Its an Ideal model and a very simple machine. Runs on 12 volts. Is heavy for shipping but not too heavy for your Triton.
kind regards,