[C320-list] Windlass question

[Graeme Clark]

Scott

In Response to your point 3,  I would reiterate considering a Fortress aluminum alloy anchor. I’ve been very happy with mine which is used regularly on a variety of holdings such as sand, mud and even weedy bottoms!
Provided someone else can motor the boat forwards to take the tension off the chain, you are then effectively only lifting the weight of the chain over your depth plus freeboard
I think typical chain weight is about a pound per foot

But I don’t want to start an anchor debate. It’s just s solution that works for me (in my mid 60s!)

Graeme
1996, #366

Sent from my phone. Excuse typos! 

> On 24 Feb 2020, at 13:10, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> Thank you all for the replies.  I may try the rubber as a temp but just to let you all know why I was asking...
> We just got back from a trip to the Bahamas. (North Carolina to Exumas and back).  Here in NC we have mostly sticky mud.  Down in the Bahamas it is mostly Clean sand.  Sand is great for anchoring but they do have some places with rocks that can chafe the rode.  It is recommended (by several people that have been doing the Bahamas for 20+ years) that you have all/mostly chain rode.  Several reasons beyond rock chafe.  Also anchoring down ICW has many places with strong currents.  All chain rode is "less likely" to wrap around anchor as wind/currents shift. (We had a bad scare when we drug anchor in 25+ knots with strong current.  Almost drug into concrete bridge column.  Anchor rode came up wrapped twice around anchor)  So...
> 1. Want to (look in to) replace current anchor with larger/heavier Rocna and 100ft of chain and leave the 160 ft line.  That should hold in almost anything.  NOTE: While in the Bahamas there are times you may have to anchor in 25+ knots in tight spaces.  Also some anchorages a small and an all chain rode "can sometimes" allow you less rode and closer proximity to other boats(depending on conditions of course). Please no comments about always using proper scope.  I get it.
> 2. If I had all/mostly/more chain with a capstan that can raise/lower the anchor, then I can more easily use the washdown with both hands free.  Right now (Around NC) I have to raise the anchor some, then secure it to use the washdown. (normally holding chain/rode with one hand and the hose nozzle in the other)  Then "set down the washdown" to raise the anchor some more (about 4-5 ft each time) then secure it, wash it down, then repeat until anchor is in roller. If a brush is required then I need both hands. With all chain and a capstan, that can take a chain, you "can" use your foot to raise the anchor while washing down the chain/anchor much faster and easier.
> 3.  I can physically do the current method for now but I am not getting any younger and a larger anchor and more chain will start to get challenging especially in strong wind and/or current.
> I am looking at the future.  Still deciding and gathering info right now to see if it makes sense or not.
> Keep the ideas/comments coming.  They can often trigger other ideas/thoughts.
> 
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> Thanks,
> 
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> 
> 
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net C (919)- 819-9794
> 
> 
>    On Sunday, February 23, 2020, 06:56:11 PM EST, <sail-ability at sympatico.ca> wrote:  
> 
> That winch is no longer manufactured and the gypsy kit no longer available. The previous owner of my boat was able to snare a gypsy kit and have it installed. Works great but doesn’t help U. 
> I’ve seen the winch drum taped up with heavy duty rubber (truck tire inner tube) to help grab the chain rode. Works OK but not ideal. I’d stay with the nylon rode and 30/40 feet of chain. That’s how that windless was designed to work. If you’re insisting on all chain rode, get another windlass. There R manual ones which work well. 
> JohnM
> 1999#574
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Feb 23, 2020, at 2:15 PM, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> I have (I think) a Maxwell VC500 windlass on our '98 C320. Pretty sure it is original to boat??  If I remember correctly, there were some posts that there are no replacement capstans that will handle chain?  I would have to replace the entire winch??
>> The current capstan is smooth and will not take chain.  I am looking to move to all chain rode (thinking about) and would want to use the winch more.
>> Any thoughts?
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>> Thanks,
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>> 
>> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net C (919)- 819-9794