Windlass foot switches

[AbelCMann]

Any thoughts on best placement of foot switches? Fore and aft? Either side of windlass chain? Any really bad choices?

[Jim Cate]

I made the mistake of putting them so close together that the lid for one,when open, lies across the other. Stupid.... don't do that!

Jim

[Bill O]

We did ours side by side which made more sense to me than fore and aft (less likely to hit 2 at once). Ours just have rubber over the switches so no lids to deal with.

Doesn't seem like a bad idea to mount them on either side windlass. If you have a wash down hose, this way you could possibly rinse off the chain easier.


Bill O.

[Reefmagnet]

If that's the stupidest thing you've done working on a boat, Jim, you should consider yourself very fortunate indeed!

Now, I wouldn't put them at opposing sides of winch otherwise you'll end up doing the crazy man dance if you have to jog the chain up and down. Being right handed, I put mine as far to the right hand side and back as comfortable to operate, with the down button forward of the up button. This seems to work ok, although my favourite mod is to add one of those cheap eBay wireless winch remotes to basically eliminate the need to use the foot switches any way. If you have a contactor installed already, this is an easy mod.

[dfelsent]

Thread drift alert!
Foot switches. Plural.
I’ve only got an up and a manual clutch. I’ve used up and down on other boats but don’t miss the down.
Do you use your down a lot or just the clutch?
I’ve been pondering a reversing relay and second switch for a while.
I’m interested thoughts and observations.
I do have a second switch. At the helm.

[CaptTom]

One of the better boat improvements I've made was to add a remote switch to the windlass relay. Cost about $14 on Amazon, and it came with two remotes. I clip one on a belt loop before anchoring, and I can drop or retrieve with the push of a button.

They sell these things for off-road vehicles as a remote winch relay. Same idea as a windlass.

No cutting holes in the deck, either!

[ggray]

Can't you rotate the switches 90* so this wouldn't happen?
Or the "one" 180*?

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I made the mistake of putting them so close together that the lid for one,when open, lies across the other. Stupid.... don't do that!

Jim

[Capt.Don]

Mine are too close to the teak toe-rail --- I can't varnish without removing from the deck; otherwise, accumulated varnish goo all over the covers

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

One of the better boat improvements I've made was to add a remote switch to the windlass relay. Cost about $14 on Amazon, and it came with two remotes. I clip one on a belt loop before anchoring, and I can drop or retrieve with the push of a button.

They sell these things for off-road vehicles as a remote winch relay. Same idea as a windlass.

No cutting holes in the deck, either!

Bingo, on this boat I decided not to have foot switches, I don’t miss them.
If I were to have a hard wired switch, it would be handheld with an up and down toggle, but no foot switches for me, they of course force you in one place and you can’t move.

[thinwater]

I will use a hand switch next time. It could be a remote, but on the rail would be fine too.


A few years ago I was knocked off balance by a large wake and fell with my knee on the up-switch, my hand on the chain, and my weight on both of them. As a result, I couldn't lift either, which was rather scary for a few seconds. Only a sailing glove saved me from loosing a finger. After that I always either kneeled on BOTH knees or sat down.


(Yes, it was dumb. That happens. One more reason not to throw a wake near anchored boats.)

[Paul L]

As Thinwater said, I think the foot switches are dangerous. I had a crew member tear off an entire finger in the windlass while in a very remote area. The foot switches force you into one position no matter the optimum place to stand is when you are clearing a heavy anchor.
I liked the wired remotes better, like this one.

[Lepke]

I use a step on switch with a long chord that I can position anywhere that's comfortable for what I'm doing. It plugs into a power box on the winch motor that also contains a switch for manual on and off and a reverse switch. (also controlled from the wheel)

So if I want to stand near the bow and watch the chain coming up or behind the capstan when pulling the line, the foot switch is always where I need it. It stores in a bow locker when not needed.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

One of the better boat improvements I've made was to add a remote switch to the windlass relay. Cost about $14 on Amazon, and it came with two remotes. I clip one on a belt loop before anchoring, and I can drop or retrieve with the push of a button.

They sell these things for off-road vehicles as a remote winch relay. Same idea as a windlass.

No cutting holes in the deck, either!

Did the same for ours when I recently replaced the foredeck.

Being able to lean over the bulwarks with hose in one hand and switch in the other is a wonderful thing.

We have an up down toggle at the wheel and that is where I wired the remote relay into.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I will use a hand switch next time. It could be a remote, but on the rail would be fine too.


A few years ago I was knocked off balance by a large wake and fell with my knee on the up-switch, my hand on the chain, and my weight on both of them. As a result, I couldn't lift either, which was rather scary for a few seconds. Only a sailing glove saved me from loosing a finger. After that I always either kneeled on BOTH knees or sat down.


(Yes, it was dumb. That happens. One more reason not to throw a wake near anchored boats.)

One of those countless examples of the supremacy of experience and the benefit of sharing it. While I’m careful around my windlass, this particular scenario never occurred to me, but now I’ll be mindful of it. Thanks!

I single-hand extensively and could not live without foot switches, particularly when wielding the washdown hose. My switches are situated where I can reach them while observing the chain coming up and cleaning it off. The switches are about four inches apart which is ideal: close enough to easily move my foot from one to the other without looking but not so close that I accidentally hit the wrong one.

The switches are off center on the side with the primary gypsy, which allows me to kneel and easily control the windlass while attaching/detaching the snubber with a soft shackle.

Best thing is to stand at the bow and go through all the motions concerned with deploying and retrieving the anchor. The right spot for your switches should reveal itself pretty quickly.

I really like Maxwell switches. Very durable and reliable. Take one apart (which I did while diagnosing an issue a few years ago) and you’ll be impressed with their simplicity and robust design.

[kcj]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Did the same for ours when I recently replaced the foredeck.

Being able to lean over the bulwarks with hose in one hand and switch in the other is a wonderful thing.

We have an up down toggle at the wheel and that is where I wired the remote relay into.

Another vote for wireless... Took 15 minutes to install and has worked flawlessly. Great for single handing.