| As boat size increases, the size of their anchors | | | | from the anchor roller back to a capstan or gypsy, |
| tends to increase as well. At some point manually | | | | wraps around 180 degrees, and feeds through a |
| hauling in an anchor ceases to be an option, and | | | | hawse pipe and down into the chain locker. Again, the |
| boaters consider installing a windlass. Whether manual | | | | configuration of the boat dictates the feasibility of |
| or motor driven, windlasses make anchor retrieval | | | | this system. Since the guts of the windlass are |
| relatively simple and worry free. | | | | below, the motor may interfere with living space or |
| Manual windlasses are available as either lever-type | | | | physical limits of the chain locker. To pay out |
| (back and forth motion) or vertical axis (a circular | | | | properly, manufacturers recommend at least 12" |
| winch-grinding motion). Lever-type windlasses are | | | | clearance from the top of the stowed rode to the |
| generally single speed, and vertical models, like sheet | | | | top of the locker. Before purchasing any windlass, |
| winches, have two speeds: a fast, low-power gear | | | | the forepeak should be measured to ensure |
| for light loads, and a slower speed with higher power | | | | everything fits. The windlass manufacturer can |
| for heavier loads. | | | | generally provide a plan detailing all the dimensions for |
| Electric windlasses haul ground tackle aboard with a | | | | common installations. |
| touch of a button or a step on a pedal. Most are | | | | Rode Types |
| available with remote controls for operation from the | | | | All-rope rodes, most frequently used on smaller |
| helm or elsewhere on the boat, and nearly all offer a | | | | boats, require capstan-type windlasses. These are |
| self-tailing feature which takes in the slack as the line | | | | similar in appearance and operation to a sheet winch |
| is hauled in and feeds it into the locker below deck. | | | | on a sailboat, and haul in the line wound around the |
| The pulling power required from a windlass is | | | | drum. Self-tailing is a desirable feature with all-rope |
| generally three times the unloaded weight of the | | | | rodes. |
| anchor and chain, but most experts recommend | | | | All-chain rodes, often favored by larger cruising boats, |
| figuring four times the unloaded weight as a safety | | | | are handled by all-chain gypsies. Self-tailing is |
| factor when anchoring in rocky areas or in adverse | | | | unnecessary on a chain gypsy as the weight of the |
| conditions. | | | | chain peeling off the gypsy will cause the rode to |
| Horizontal or Vertical | | | | stow itself. |
| Although personal taste plays a part in choosing | | | | Combination rope/chain rodes are very popular, as |
| either a horizontal or vertical style windlass, much of | | | | even a short length of chain lends a lot of holding |
| the decision is by necessity based on the boat’s | | | | power to the anchor and the rope keeps the overall |
| size and layout. The size and configuration of the | | | | weight of the ground tackle down. Windlasses that |
| foredeck, chain locker and forepeak dictate much of | | | | handle rope/chain rodes use either a capstan |
| the criteria. | | | | mounted above a gypsy or a single unit with both |
| Horizontal windlasses are generally used on smaller | | | | capabilities. A gypsy handles chain through the use of |
| boats with limited under-deck space. Very large yacht | | | | internal pockets which the chain links seat into. The |
| windlasses and most manual windlasses are also | | | | chain and the pockets must be sized the same or |
| horizontal. The windlass is fitted directly over the | | | | the chain will hang up. Combination models also use a |
| hawse pipe and positioned in line with the bow roller | | | | gypsy, but feature an internal groove that handles |
| to ensure a fair lead. Since the rode does not have | | | | the rope. The separate capstan/gypsy configuration |
| to make many directional changes, it generally | | | | requires that the chain stopper be set after the rope |
| disappears down the hawse pipe neatly without | | | | is retrieved and changed to the gypsy to haul in the |
| kinking or jamming. Because the motor and gearbox | | | | chain, while the combination model allows "hands-off" |
| are located on deck, they are easily accessible. | | | | operation. Most combination models require that the |
| However, they are more exposed to the elements | | | | chain be joined to the rope by a splice, as the unit |
| and generally take up more deck space than vertical | | | | cannot accommodate a shackle. Most windlass |
| windlasses. | | | | manufacturers offer a few rope/chain models which |
| Vertical windlasses are installed with the motor and | | | | handle the most commonly used specifications of |
| gearbox mounted below deck, and are very popular | | | | each. As a general rule, windlasses for boats under |
| because they leave the foredeck relatively | | | | 40' use 1/2" line with 5/16" chain; for bigger boats, 5 |
| uncluttered. Vertical windlasses are versatile as the | | | | 8" rope with 3/8" chain. |
| rode can be led from any direction. The rode leads | | | | |