anchor type

[dale1]

greetings,

just purchased a 2002, 265 express.

it did not come with an anchor or rode.

On anther post you guys have been very gracous with your responses.

there has been serveral responses about the anchor "not" self lauching.

Man, I'm not getting any younger. I can not imagine going to the bow in 3 foot seas to get the anchor to splash.

So, my qusetion is, what is the best type of self lauching set up for this boat, "mostly sandy bottom" with this type of windlass? I dont mind modifications to make it right.

Also, can anyone help me identify this windlass. the lables are all but gone.

thanks,
dale

 

[Fishtales]

Hi.
I believe you have a Simpson Lawrence model 600 windlass. Check the net, if it has stamp on the side that looks like a sailboat - it is a SL.
For anchor and rode, I'd get 1/2" line either braid (best in my opinion) or three strand maybe 250', with at least the length of the boat of chain.
There are different anchors, I like the Delta Fast Set for an all around decent anchor. There is a 14lb one for 21-30 footers. You could step up to the next size if you want a something a little bigger (19 lb).

For near shore use, I'd be inclined to get 250' of 3/8" nylon braid line, 14lb Delta, 30' of chain. and a smooth bullet type of connection between the anchor and the chain so you don't get the anchor hung up on the roller.

 

[drbatts]

I have the same windless and pulpit set on my boat. I have 300ft of 1/2" three strand with about 20 ft of chain. It came with the boat when I bought it. I also have another additional 150 ft of line with a danforth as backup/extra just in case. Boat also came with a danforth anchor, I have a delta on it now as my primary anchor. The delta works much better in the conditions I anchor in then the danforth. Every anchor I have tried, usually would not self launch. Someone has to go to the bow and give it a little push. I plan to make some modifications this winter so it will self launch. Overall it hasn't been a big deal. Also my windless doesn't free fall, it pays the line out instead. It takes a little longer to "drop the anchor" especially in deeper conditions. When it comes for replacement time I will go with a free fall model.

 

[dale1]

thank you. What type of mods are you planning. I'm open to mods

here is sides of the windlass. still unsure about the type. thanks in advance.

 

[dale1]

thanks, I added a couple of photos to the last post. I do not see a sailboat on either side. I tried to contact Simpson lorance with no success. I need to order a rope. do you think most any rope and chain compo will work? Sorry, I keep asking, I just cant figure it out.
thanks, dale

 

[georgemjr]

8 plait rope, with chain and a plow anchor. 8 plait rode is more supple, falls into the anchor locker and folds up into less volume than 3 strand. Because of this, you will experience less fouling on retrieval and your retrievals will be more hands free. The plowanchor usually comes off the pulpit on its own more so than a Danforth. Both set and hold similarly here on the south shore of Long Island.

 

[drbatts]

I have 3 strand spliced directly to the chain. It goes through the windless well. It will get hung up once in a long while. When It comes time to replace the line, it will probably be with 8-plait. But this setup works fine for me.

 

[max366]

I'm pretty sure you have a Lewmar Horizon 500 windlass. Your picture looks identical to the one I have. I have an electronic copy of the manual if you want it- just send me your email address. The specs on the chain and rode are very specific for this windlass, so be sure to get the right components. They are listed in the manual, which unfortunately won't paste into this reply.

 

[dale1]

Thank you. I'm sending my email address in a pm. Thanks again. Dale

 

[dale1]

the lewmar wed site states to use 3 stand rope. Do you think the 265 rope locker will hold 300' of rope and 15' of chain? thanks
dale

 

[ocnslr]

the lewmar wed site states to use 3 stand rope. Do you think the 265 rope locker will hold 300' of rope and 15' of chain? thanks
dale

Yes, it will. We had 300-ft of 3-strand rode and 30-ft of chain in our anchor locker, then we switched to 8-plait.

 

[dale1]

ocnslr

thank you

 

[DennisG01]

Dale, be sure to check the gypsy before you get any chain (type of rope shouldn't matter, but 8-plait is best - although more $$, too). There is usually some type of markings on the gypsy to indicate what type of chain will work with it - HT or G4, BBB, etc. If you get the wrong chain, it won't work. FYI, most windlass manufacturers will offer replacement gypsies to adapt to different types of chain - hence, who knows what's on there now.

 

[max366]

Dennis is right- the specs are BBB or G-4 1/4" chain

Here's a link to the manual

http://www.lewmar.com/%5Cassets%5Cimg%5 ... on_500.pdf

 

[eppem]

I have the same windless on my 03 265 Express - not sure if its a 500 or 600 but could check the manual if you want me to.

Came with the boat and I hated it at first not so much it getting hung up on drop but the line that came with the boat seemed to "slip" on retrieve. Turned out the original owner had the wrong sized anchor line and it didn't fit right. I replace it with 300 feet of 3 strand (which the manual said to use) and the original chain which is about 20 feet or so.

I have two anchors - a bent/beat up Danforth type anchor in April/Oct/Nov/Dec for togging and then I switch it out for a true Danforth anchor that I actually bought used super cheap from a dive shop! Both hold well in the LIS but do get hung up in the pulpit - the knock off moreso than the Danforth though? Weird, hard to explain. Maybe another style would free fall better but who knows. Like the previous poster said, its really no big deal for someone to hop forward to give it a push - technically you are supposed to tie off the rode to take the pressure off the windless. I usually will tie off if the current is ripping but wont if we are anchored up in a cove or when its super calm.

The pros - the unit is a work horse - I have owned the boat since 2006 (bought used) and am still impressed with the units retrieval ability and durability. I literally have only kept it clean and have not touched anything on it. Do know, when your retrieve the anchor you need to use your engines to release some of the tension until the anchor pops free.

Once you have a windless you will never want to haul an anchor by hand again!

 

[ROBERTH]

In regards to self launching, I figured out how to get mine to self launch with 4oz lead strip weights. See pic on last page in this post:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20951&start=30

For rode and chain, best place to purchase I found based on others advising me on it was seco south!