Anchor Windless Interlock with engine

[ben373]

I am wiring in an anchor winch.

I know most modern boats have this interlocked so that the motor must be running.

Disregarding the pros and cons my question is if this is a requirement for safety regulations. I am in Australia.

Thanks.

[Jim Cate]

No, it is not a safety requirement here in Oz. IMO it is actually dangerous, for there have several times when I wanted to use the windlass and the engine was unavailable... like sailing off the anchor when the engine would (or could) not start.

Jim

[SailingHarmonie]

Is this really a "thing" on "most modern boats"? I have never seen or even heard of it, and consider it a really dumb idea... Not that some boatbuilders don't have some really dumb ideas...

[mglomstead]

This made me curious…. From the Lewmar web site “Can I drop the anchor without having to power it down?
Yes, all Lewmar windlasses have a manual free fall function as standard. To free fall the anchor, you simply manually undo the top nut half a turn. This releases the gypsy allowing it to free wheel. You can control the speed or stop the descent by re-tightening the top nut. Some of the larger windlasses with brake bands fitted work slightly differently. Please consult the manual for free fall operation.”

[HeywoodJ]

Beneteau has had this on all their boats for 30+ years. Most, if not all Fountaine Pajot the same. Jeanneau. Pretty common, in my experience, in production boats. I suspect it is a manufacturer’s CYA for inadequate battery installations. But then maybe the stock battery installations are OK for weekend use. Cruisers usually upgrade the battery systems, and at that point the interlock may not be necessary.

There is no interlock on our boat, and we regularly use the windlass without the engine running. I don’t know of a regulatory requirement, in Oz or elsewhere, but admit to not ever having dug deeply to check.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by ben373

I am wiring in an anchor winch.

I know most modern boats have this interlocked so that the motor must be running.

Disregarding the pros and cons my question is if this is a requirement for safety regulations. I am in Australia.

Thanks.

If it is then I'm knackered no interlock here and I'm in Sydney also.

[thinwater]

Honestly, I think the engine running thing is hype if the wire is proper. My engines are outboards, and at idle they don't put out enough charging to amount to spit. Sometimes I don't start the engines.



There is not that much load if the windlass is used properly (not pulling the boat to the anchor in a breeze).