rode windlass counter while single handed anchoring

[AST]

hi folks,
So one can purchase one of those electronic rode counters and from the cockpit he can operate the windlass down and see how much he put out. But these gadgets are expensive.
I was thinking, if the speed of the windlass is constant (or is it not?), then can't we calculate the rode length by measuring the time the windless was running when letting the actor down? Like assume the windlass put out 30 feet of chain in 15 seconds, then operating the windlass for 45 seconds would mean 90 feet of chain. This math can only be done if the assumption of constant speed is true.

Thoughts?

thanks

[leecea]

I have read of people doing it that way and they seemed happy with the result. I haven't tried it.

[JC Reefer]

I find that, going down, the speed is roughly constant. If you know the total chain length then you and pay it all out and time it.

1 foot per second is what I use, but it depends on the windless.

Marks on the chain would probably be better.

[AST]

it will be hard to see the chain marks from the cockpit.
thanks

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by AST

hi folks,
So one can purchase one of those electronic rode counters and from the cockpit he can operate the windlass down and see how much he put out. But these gadgets are expensive.
I was thinking, if the speed of the windlass is constant (or is it not?), then can't we calculate the rode length by measuring the time the windless was running when letting the actor down? Like assume the windlass put out 30 feet of chain in 15 seconds, then operating the windlass for 45 seconds would mean 90 feet of chain. This math can only be done if the assumption of constant speed is true.

Thoughts?

thanks

If it is power-down, yes, exactly.