Windlasses

Choose the correct windlass for your boat

HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT PRODUCT

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION

In order to make the correct choice you have to consider the following:
– Length of the boat
– Total weight of anchor and chain
– Type of power supply available on board to power the windlass (12V – 24V -48V – 230V – 400V – Hydraulic)
– Deck characteristics and available space in the locker
– Purpose of use of the boat

CHOICE OF WINDLASS

The parameters to consider when choosing a windlass are boat length and anchor and chain total weight According to the length of the boat you can find out windlass size, making reference to the ground tackle
weight (anchor and chain), you can calculate power needed

It is important to define the meaning of the two load values that you will find listed in the technical specifications of windlasses: maximum instantaneous pull, which represents the peak load that the windlass can withstand for a limited period of time, usually reached at the moment when the anchor is released from the seabed, and kift working load at hoisting, which represents the load that the windlass can bear continuously

Multiplying for the coefficient 4 the ground tackle weight, you will determine MAXIMUM PULL that windlass must have, defining this way its power.

Ground tackle weight x 4 <= maximum PULL of the windlass

WINDLASS CHOICE: HORIZONTAL OR VERTICAL?

The choice of one or the other model is mainly related to the available space
above and below deck.

Horizontal windlasses have a horizontal gypsy rotation axis and are normally located totally above deck. As a result, they are bulkier than a vertical-axis windlass, which consists of two parts: one above deck, where the gypsy is located, and the other comprising the moto-reducer that is located below deck.

The advantage of the latter model is that it t it is less bulky on the deck and it has a greater chain grip, as the gypsy works on more links at once compared to a horizontal model.

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

Once the power, the presence of the correct power supply and the dimensional spaces for the windlass have been verified, all that remains is to check the dimensions of the locker. This is necessary to check the amount of chain (or chain top) that will be possible to take on board and to be sure that, in the case of a vertical windlass, there is space for the motor-gear unit.

Least, but not last, the distance between the hawse hole and the accumulated chain might not be less than 40 cm (16”)