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benjiwoodboat · 21-11-2012, 06:38

I'm wondering if there are any advantages to mounting the windlass in a foredeck locker ... I can't think of any. It seems like it would be harder to use when you have to crank by hand. I would think it would always be wet and salty encouraging corrosion.

What are the advantages other than a clean foredeck, which doesn't seem worth it to me at all.

micah719 · 21-11-2012, 09:58

Well, it would be a way of getting the weight lower, and a little protection from the elements. The downside is more changes in direction in the rode, meaning more potential for snags and kinks. Clearing those by hand would be fun, especially in a cramped locker. Mind you, the clear foredeck sounds nice.

I was planning on having the windlass abaft the mast...keeps me closer to the centre cockpit when using the windlass, keeps the weight off the bow, easier to flake a lot of chain down into a locker in the bilge and still have it instantly useable, and easier access for handling an anchor rode off the stern, or a towline, or a derrick for hoisting a dinghy or other heavy things. Downside to that is handling the rode around the mast, and all the mud and seaweed and chain likely to mess up the deck or damage the paint. Rollers, a channel and a rinse tub...I like the workboat look and the practicality of a multipurpose windlass.

gjordan · 21-11-2012, 16:32

Ben, your first paragraph nails it.____Grant.

Bash · 21-11-2012, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjiwoodboat

What are the advantages other than a clean foredeck, which doesn't seem worth it to me at all.

A clean foredeck is heaven!

A couple weeks ago I lost a bet with friend who owns a 48' deck-salon sloop. The loser had to clean the other person's boat the next morning. Their boat has a raised teak cap rail, a bolted-to-the-deck windlass, and a zillion other things cluttering up the deck. I was shocked at how much harder it was to clean their boat than my own. It literally took twice as long working with a bucket and a long-handled deck brush.

I've got a horizontal below-the-deck windlass on my boat. The one thing that's never happened, whether jibing the spinnaker or tacking the jib, is catching a sheet on the windlass. Think about that, if we're talking sailboats here.

Like I said, a clean foredeck is heaven. Looks nice too.

stillbuilding · 21-11-2012, 21:29

I have my anchoring stuff recessed 6" under the foredeck so that only the rope capstan protrudes above deck. Easier to move about. Keeps the anchor stuff away from the sails and stays. All the chain mud drains overboard and washing the chain off as it is lifted is a breeze.

capta · 22-11-2012, 20:54

There is an angle of chain onto the gypsy that must be maintained for the gypsy to operate safely and efficiently. It is not something one should wing.
Many of the newer big sailing yachts we are seeing down here in the Caribbean, not only have the windlass below the deck, but the whole roller assembly and anchor retracts into the bow/ foredeck, leaving the boat to appear to have no anchors at all. Very clean and neat, for a mere hundred grand or so.
Wouldn't it be nice...... until it breaks......

**roverhi** · 25-11-2012, 11:17

Find foredeck anchor lockers to be worse than useless. Anchor stores in the bow roller so not an ondeck problem. Windless is out in the open on the foredeck where it's easily accessable and not soaking in saltwater in a hyper humid corrosive environment in the anchor well.