WHICH ELECTRIC WINDLASS?

[JTHAW]

not at all sure which electric windlass to buy for my boat...have read quite a bit, but I would prefer real world replies...as much detail as I can give below...
36.5 sloop, 20,000 lbs cruise loaded
99% anchoring in sand, only anchoring in Fl. Keys, Bahamas and Caribbean...nowhere else
I will have a Rocna 45 lb anchor as main working anchor
*** 50 foot of strong chain...the rest 5/8 3 strand nylon rode..
prefer free fall anchor setting..mate will be feeding the nylon rode down the pipe manually while slowly motoring up to weigh...as soon as the chain can be set on the windlass drum, then electric remote to haul up rocna to the roller..
very much, * not * wanting all chain rode...

average anchoring depth will be 7- 8', with 5 ft from bow waterline up to the rollers
I might add that when I was young with 5 years anchoring out in the very same places I used 40' chain with nylon rode on a 14000 lb 35 footer with a SL 555 manuel windlass that was hardly ever used, I had a strong back,.. I had a 22lb Danforth and a 35 lb cqr back then and never had any issues..in 5 years of sleeping at anchor..

so which electric windlass would you recommend with my parameters set above?... also: vertical or horizontal,?... I have no clue...somewhat embarrassed to say.. thanks in advance for your informed replies...and hope this isn't too redundant...

[model 10]

I can say which one would avoid and that would be the Lofrans vertical jobs, pretty much junk. Plastic parts, poor coatings, undersized bearings, etc, etc.

[JTHAW]

hey guy thanks for the reply...I could have worded the post which ones to avoid....good info..

[Singleprop]

Ideal windlass, US manufactured....

[Uncle Bob]

Maxwell RC series rope chain windlass. They just WORK.

[Scott Berg]

We sell most but not all...
Highly recommend Lighthouse and Maxwell
Not fond of Lewmar (a LOT of plastic and smaller motors)

hard to beat a Maxwell for your needs (good price point); Ideal was highly favored but they have had service issues lately

[roverhi]

Vertical windlass with chain gypsy and rope capstan. Many opportunities to use the rope capstan for off center pulling like getting into a Med. Moor or hauling the bow around in a grounding. Horizontal windlasses require blocks or other ways to redirect the line for pulling off the center line. An over ride will ruin your day and the anchor rode.

[iancoombe]

We have a maxwell 2500 vertical type its at least 15ys old and has never given any problems
So if it failed We would replace with maxwell.

[JTHAW]

thanks to all for informed replies....it looks like I'll be going with vertical Maxwell...!!

[Cheechako]

I prefer verticals, but you will be tailing the rode so Horizontal is more handy. Frankly, I'm not sure a windlass is going to help you much, unless you don't mind scarring up your windlass bad using chain on the drum.
Think it through. In florida you are likely anchoring in 15 feet or less most the time. So have maybe 75 ft of rode out. Your rope rode will take no effort to get in as you can move the boat forward. You then have the unpleasant task of hauling in the chain and the anchor with your back.
Change your plan. Have at least 80 feet of chain and you will likely hardly ever see the rope. you can then simply haul in the whole thing with the windlass and no damaging the drum etc.

[a64pilot]

I believe there are combination gypsies, ones that handle both rope and chain? Having said that, with that anchor weight he may not need a windlass, I got by without one with 50' of chain on a 55 lb Rocna for a year or so.
I went with a VWC 1500, and all chain and am glad I did. Compared to what a windlass costs, chain is cheap, you may want to reconsider the combination rode?
Seemingly opposing views I know, but the windlass cost more than I expected. I did not install foot switches, got a cheap remote off of Amazon.com that works great and a hard wired switch at the helm, I have had bad luck with foot switches in the past.


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[DDabs]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I went with a VWC 1500, and all chain and am glad I did.

Me too. Love my windlass

[Sandero]

Maxwell VWC... probably a 1500

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by iancoombe

We have a maxwell 2500 vertical type its at least 15ys old and has never given any problems
So if it failed We would replace with maxwell.

Ditto for us. Liberty 458 45000# and a Rocna 88#.

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[Jim Cate]

FWIW:

I'm not sure how you envision handling a compound rode with a vertical windlass, unless the gypsy will handle the rope part and direct it into the chain locker. You mention pulling the rope portion by hand and then using the windlass to hoist the chain part. How do you plan to get the rope down the chain pipe , and then get the chain engaged with the gypsy without loosing several fingers? Sounds quite formidable to me!

I know how frustrating it is to ask a question and then being redirected away from what you specifically described... but really, having enough chain so that your normal anchoring practice does not involve the chain to rope junction will make your life so much better. Perhaps you could tell us why you don't want more chain, and then we can try to change your mind!!

Jim