This will affect how far off centerline the windlass needs to be. An inner forestay can be an obstacle to work around, as well. To accommodate the bow roller, centerline running lights on any boat may need to be separated and moved to the rail or the hull. And if you have toe rails, a forward coaming, or a bulwark to negotiate, a modification may be needed to mount the bow roller and allow smooth passage for your anchor rode from windlass to roller.
A good-sized challenge for many owners interested in a DIY installation is whether the deck will need much repair or rebuilding.
More often than not, you will have to plug, fill, and re-glass the deck. Then new cutouts will need to be machined. What can help is that some manufacturers have a current model that comes close to fitting the existing cutout from an older model. For example, some models in the Storm series by Muir windlasses can fit cut-outs for some models in the discontinued Atlantic series. Lofrans Windlasses did something similar, replacing its Progress series with the Project series.
To prevent water intrusion, the deck will then need to be dressed. Before anyone starts cutting new holes in the deck, we always recommend using a scaled template. Be sure to get a physical template from the manufacturer or distributor, as printing one off the internet almost certainly will not print at the correct scale, thus skewing the measurements of the windlass. Sometimes, this template may be enough to give you the sense that the size of the windlass looks wrong even if it has the power you need.
But the template has other important purposes, the first being to compare the old deck cut-outs with any new ones the template shows are required. This will help you estimate the job and also decide whether you need professional assistance to do this part of the installation. After you position the template, you can also run a piece of string from the bow roller to the chain-line mark on the template.
We often suggest to boat owners that they repaint or glass over a locker like this. On larger yachts and for blue-water sailors with a dual-chain system for primary and secondary anchors, make sure you have a centerline divider in the locker.
And on big motor yachts, you may go as far as mounting a pair of vertical windlasses , one for each anchor, one turning clockwise and one turning counter-clockwise. If the windlass motor is more powerful than your old one, you may be need larger cables and a larger circuit breaker.
That will dictate whether your wire is sized correctly or is undersized. Remember that circuit protection will not protect the motor from sustained high load usage, which can cause heat buildup in the motor without tripping a breaker. Windlasses are designed to operate for short periods of time only. Windlass switches differ in their current-carrying ability and style. Current-carrying switches , like a foot switch on the foredeck, handle the full current of the windlass, which may be amps.
Switches that carry low current, like panel switches or hand remotes, turn solenoids on or off and must simply handle the solenoid current. A solenoid is an electric relay switch that opens or closes a main circuit when activated by a remote switch.
A dual-direction control box is made up of two solenoids and special switching gear capable of directing the current to make the windlass go up or down. Many variations exist, depending on the configuration of the boat.
For a permanent-magnet motor, there are three basic installation options. For up-only operation, use a foot switch or a heavy-duty single throw switch at the helm. Series-wound motors also have three basic options. For up-only operation, use a foot switch capable of handling full current. Because windlass current draw can be amps or greater at near-stalling load, wiring must be appropriately sized to avoid excessive voltage drop more than 10 percent , overheating, or failure.
Any way you slice it, windlasses require large diameter cables. Even small windlasses will require 2ga. The actual diameter is based upon the distance round trip—in both directions of the cable run and the maximum load.
Anchor Rollers. Anchor Testing. Anchoring for the Racing Sailor. Selecting an Anchor Rode. Selecting the Right Anchor. Upgrading Your Anchor Rode. Though some experts may disagree, we believe that the best way to power a windlass is from the existing house battery bank, rather than from a separate battery in the bow. How to Install a Windlass. Preparation Boat Requirements Your boat must have a bow roller, ideally self-launching.
Ground Tackle Requirements Ensure you have windlass rode that your new windlass can handle. Wiring General Considerations It is important to use your windlass manual for guidance in wire selection and connection. Sizing Specifics Consult your manual for the correct wire sizing depending on draw and wire length.
Wiring Diagrams Below are example wiring diagrams for 2-wire and 3-wire installations of vertical and horizontal windlasses by Anchorlift. This article provides some guidance, but it bears repeating: always consult your windlass manual for specific installation requirements and procedures.
Numerous factors can ultimately lead to a bent anchor shank, but the majority of the time this is caused either by a bad snag or from the boat shifting its load in a perpendicular direction from the anchor set. In this article, we will discuss common causes and prevention tips to help you avoid finding yourself in such an unlucky predicament. According to the Boat Owners Association of the United States BoatUS , will likely bring more hurricanes to the Atlantic coast than we have typically seen in the past.
As a result, boaters are being warned to immediately begin putting together a plan of action in case a hurricane does touch down in your area. Jet Ski and PWC riders often don't have actual docks or slips for you to tie up to when exploring new areas.
As a result, it's important to have the right gear and know-how when it comes time to take a break and drop the anchor. Follow along below as we discuss the best methods for anchoring in either shallow or deep water.
Best Boating and Fishing Mobile Apps of In today's modern world, there are a plethora of apps available to help us navigate our everyday lives. In recent years the boating world has benefited greatly from a variety of helpful apps that can help take your boating experience to the next level.
Boaters today can download apps to help them log their trips, download nautical charts, reserve a slip, and even learn to tie essential boating knots. We have reviewed many of the apps on the market today and are sharing our best boating and fishing apps. Dock lights not only help give your dock the right look but also go a long way to ensure you, your guests and your property remain safe and secure. We've assembled a list of the best dock lighting options to help you find the perfect solution for your dock.
Anchoring with inadequate ground tackle is not only unsafe but can also make setting anchor a painstaking and arduous process.
Luckily there are a number of solutions available to help simplify the process and to help keep you and your craft safe. The three main components of your anchor rode are the anchor line, chain, and anchor but additional accessories can be added to customize your system for your specific needs to help make dropping anchor a snap. It's that time of the year again!
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