Is there a way to adjust the windlass speed?

[FREEDOM!!!]

When bringing my anchor up, every time it gets clogged up. It comes up too fast. Have to bring the anchor up in short bursts. The windlass moves so fast that gravity just can't keep up. Plus, it always gets hung up when it gets to the knot (I know there's a term for where the chain and line connect). It takes several forward and backward attempts to get it to go through. Any suggestions?

 

[loubeer]

What type of line are you using? I have tried many and settled on mega-plait line (versus 8-plait that didn't work for me). Regarding hanging up at the connection - it happens. But make sure it's not frayed and was done professionally to minimize the girth of the connection.

 

[DennisG01]

No, you can't adjust the windlass speed. But your windlass won't move faster than anything else out there. That means the windlass isn't the issue.

The issue is (almost always is) the type of rope... the condition of the rope (salted up/stiff)... the amount of "fall" (or too much rope for the given anchor locker size). In other words, the amount of vertical fall in the anchor locker isn't enough for the type of line (or amount) you have and/or because it's too stiff.

To your last question... the "splice"... getting hung up is a combination of a failing windlass finger (unlikely due to it being new-ish) or a bad splice or a stiff splice.

Rope should be rinsed with salt water every so often - but many Grady's are notirious for not having a deep enough anchor locker. Switching to more chain and/or to 8-plait can help.

 

[seasick]

No, you can't adjust the windlass speed. But your windlass won't move faster than anything else out there. That means the windlass isn't the issue.

The issue is (almost always is) the type of rope... the condition of the rope (salted up/stiff)... the amount of "fall" (or too much rope for the given anchor locker size). In other words, the amount of vertical fall in the anchor locker isn't enough for the type of line (or amount) you have and/or because it's too stiff.

To your last question... the "splice"... getting hung up is a combination of a failing windlass finger (unlikely due to it being new-ish) or a bad splice or a stiff splice.

Rope should be rinsed with salt water every so often - but many Grady's are notirious for not having a deep enough anchor locker. Switching to more chain and/or to 8-plait can help.

Did you mean Fresh Water?
Soaking overnight in a solution of water and fabric softener has helped me in the past to soften up a stiff line.

 

[DennisG01]

Did you mean Fresh Water?
Soaking overnight in a solution of water and fabric softener has helped me in the past to soften up a stiff line.

Oops - got "salt" on my mind!

 

[Hookup1]

No, you can't adjust the windlass speed. But your windlass won't move faster than anything else out there. That means the windlass isn't the issue.

The issue is (almost always is) the type of rope... the condition of the rope (salted up/stiff)... the amount of "fall" (or too much rope for the given anchor locker size). In other words, the amount of vertical fall in the anchor locker isn't enough for the type of line (or amount) you have and/or because it's too stiff.

To your last question... the "splice"... getting hung up is a combination of a failing windlass finger (unlikely due to it being new-ish) or a bad splice or a stiff splice.

Rope should be rinsed with salt water every so often - but many Grady's are notirious for not having a deep enough anchor locker. Switching to more chain and/or to 8-plait can help.

Dennis's comments are correct. The anchor lockers are overloaded with too much line. Knock the piles down and try it. This affects the rope/chain splice too. Knock it down. I'm using 8-plait. I just replaced my whole anchor rode with new 8-plait and new chain. Old rode wasn't that old but was worn and getting stiff. I had reversed it a few years ago. Too "tight" to splice - threw it out!

I had so much problem swallowing the rope/chain splice that I came up with a hybrid 8-plait rope/chain splice - 4 strands up the chain and 4 strands back down the rope. Documented here on GG.

 

[FREEDOM!!!]

What type of line are you using? I have tried many and settled on mega-plait line (versus 8-plait that didn't work for me). Regarding hanging up at the connection - it happens. But make sure it's not frayed and was done professionally to minimize the girth of the connection.

It's whatever new Grady's come with.

 

[FREEDOM!!!]

Dennis's comments are correct. The anchor lockers are overloaded with too much line. Knock the piles down and try it. This affects the rope/chain splice too. Knock it down. I'm using 8-plait. I just replaced my whole anchor rode with new 8-plait and new chain. Old rode wasn't that old but was worn and getting stiff. I had reversed it a few years ago. Too "tight" to splice - threw it out!

I had so much problem swallowing the rope/chain splice that I came up with a hybrid 8-plait rope/chain splice - 4 strands up the chain and 4 strands back down the rope. Documented here on GG.

I can see how the pile could be the problem. I does seem to be stacked up higher than when the boat was brand new. I definitely have too much line for my needs. Not sure how much line I have, but so far all of my anchoring has been in 3' or less water.

 

[Hookup1]

I anchor up in 25' of water in the Keys to bait fish. If the line in the locker has been knocked down everything works great. It's when I go to the edge of the reef and put 200+ feet of line out. The windlass will do a good job for a while but I have to go up forward and knock it down in the locker.

If you knock it down you should be ok. Or go to 150' of rode plus 20' of chain.

Looking for Anchor Windlass suggestions

I will be putting a windlass on my 208 Adventure when it comes in, been researching Lewmar and Maxwell and leaning towards Maxwell, would appreciate any feedback if you have used either. big thanks

www.greatgrady.com

 

[Fixit]

best way to slow the windlass down is to remove the 2ga wiring and replace it with 10ga

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

best way to slow the windlass down is to remove the 2ga wiring and replace it with 10ga

Reducing cable diameter to choke voltage down to lower level is not really what a electrician recommends ...

Cables (and in particularly high amp cables) should use the correct diameter to let flow current without restriction to avoid overheating.

If voltage need to be reduced for whatever reason then a correct sized step-down transformer would be the correct solution

Here in Italy we rarely use rope,
most boaters just use 2'-30ft chain only for anchoring using the windlass and a second chain rope combination in a bucket or locker for deep anchoring, using a anchor ball to retrieve the anchor almost effortless.

Chris

 

[Hookup1]

best way to slow the windlass down is to remove the 2ga wiring and replace it with 10ga

Don't do it. That's not a cable anymore it's a fuse. Great way to start a boat fire!

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Don't do it. That's not a cable anymore it's a fuse. Great way to start a boat fire!

Yep, totally dumb and for someone who don't understand nothing of electricity a very dangerous answer!

Chris

 

[DennisG01]

I have a feeling Fixit was being sarcastic

 

[seasick]

Ya think?

 

[TMANN]

Fix the rope problem but yes there are ways to slow the motor down. A PWM for example.

 

[Fixit]

yes that was sarcastic humour, what model windlass is it? ive never seen one that I would call fast. makes me think that there's another problem here, and not the windlass

 

[FREEDOM!!!]

Dennis's comments are correct. The anchor lockers are overloaded with too much line. Knock the piles down and try it. This affects the rope/chain splice too. Knock it down. I'm using 8-plait. I just replaced my whole anchor rode with new 8-plait and new chain. Old rode wasn't that old but was worn and getting stiff. I had reversed it a few years ago. Too "tight" to splice - threw it out!

I had so much problem swallowing the rope/chain splice that I came up with a hybrid 8-plait rope/chain splice - 4 strands up the chain and 4 strands back down the rope. Documented here on GG.

Knocking the pile down helped a lot this weekend. Thanks for the tip!

 

[seasick]

Fast is all relative. The Lewmar 700 series run at 72 feet per minute. The capstan rotation speed is deceiving. It looks really fast but its just retrieving or deploying about 15 inches per Mississippi (one, Mississippi, two ...)
So if you want to lay down 150 feet of anchor line, you will be running the windlass for 2 +minutes and that can feel like a lifetime

 

[FREEDOM!!!]

Fast is all relative. The Lewmar 700 series run at 72 feet per minute. The capstan rotation speed is deceiving. It looks really fast but its just retrieving or deploying about 15 inches per Mississippi (one, Mississippi, two ...)
So if you want to lay down 150 feet of anchor line, you will be running the windlass for 2 +minutes and that can feel like a lifetime

It seemed fast because it always got hung up if I held the button for too long. I have to use short, quick bursts of maybe 4-5 seconds.