Tie off line with a windlass?

[FREEDOM!!!]

This is my first time having a windlass. The instructions say to let out a little extra line and tie it off to a bow cleat...but I've never seen that done by any of my friends who have windlasses. Do you tie it off or let the windlass hold?

 

[JJF]

Yes.

Also, when it comes time to haul the anchor, you should s-l-o-w-l-y ride up on it by bumping the boat in/out of gear, while running the windlass. You need to be careful to not run over the line.

 

[SkunkBoat]

The windlass should not hold the boat nor pull the boat. The windlass is for taking up slack line and lifting an anchor after it is loose from the bottom.

 

[drbatts]

Tie it off. I have 2 fishing buddies who leave it in the windless not tied off and both have had windless issues including replacements.

 

[Fishtales]

Yes. Keep the pressure off it and drive into it when retrieving.

 

[Hookup1]

Well I know this is wrong but I use the windlass while bait fishing and do not tie it off. Mainly used in light to medium wind conditions. Not a problem.

Technically this is totally wrong but I'm too lazy to go up front. After all why have a windlass and self launching anchor. Just don't try it in a gale wind!

 

[seasick]

I think we all do the same in calm seas and for non overnight anchoring.
One thing to be aware of is that it can put extra strain on the windlass especially when there are wakes from other vessels. Another issue is that the windlass can unless the lock is engaged, let out more line when the line is stressed. I hate to admit but that has 'grounded me once when tieing off a beach and just relaxing. Apparently every time a swell rocked the boat, the windlass let out a few inches of line. By the time I realised, it was too late

 

[DennisG01]

In light conditions, it's fine to use the windlass - a judgement call is needed as to whether you perceive the "load" on the windlass to be too much. If the line is even getting close to staying pulled tight - I would cleat it off. If it stays relativley slack I wouldn't bother. Unless of course you're in a traffic area where you can get swells from boats, as Seasick also mentioned.

Too many variables to give a definitive answer, other than to say... it's NEVER a bad idea to cleat off -- it MIGHT be a bad idea to not cleat off.

 

[JJF]

^^it could be said that there is no good reason to not cleat it off. (laziness is not a good reason )

 

[JJF]

Choice A: cleat it off every time and know you did the right and it's not your fault, should you ever have an issue with the windlass.

Choice B: don't cleat it off every time, then have an issue with the windlass (could be costly) that might have been caused by not cleating it off, then regret not cleating it off every time and then go on THEHULLTRUTH asking for advice on a remedy and get totally lambasted for not having cleated it every time.

 

[FREEDOM!!!]

How about anchoring in very shallow water where you don't reach the rope. I guess maybe just clip the safety chain back on...

 

[Hookup1]

Let more out and tie if the line. You don’t want things too rigid. A boat wake could be a problem.

 

[DennisG01]

When I'm way back in a protected cove on a calm day, I don't worry about cleating off. Heck, the weight of the rope, itself, is usually enough to keep the boat in place!

How about anchoring in very shallow water where you don't reach the rope. I guess maybe just clip the safety chain back on...

Get a simple "clevis hook" from your local hardware store for your size chain. 5/16"? Tie a 10'-ish length of line to it. Slide the hook onto the chain after the anchor roller... cleat the line to the boat... let out enough chain via the windlass to put the load on the clevis hook and line. Only do this when you're around - never overnight.

 

[JJF]

I don't think I would use the safety cable, because I don't think the eye bolt has a backing plate. I like DennisG01's suggestion. Alternatively, you could make a short cable/line with a clevis hook to go from the cleat to the chain.

All it takes is one boat wake or an errant wave to cause you an issue. I'd hate to see you end up with stress cracks around the eye-bolt for the safety cable.

 

[seasick]

How about anchoring in very shallow water where you don't reach the rope. I guess maybe just clip the safety chain back on...

Good question. It is advised by the windlass manufacturers to always 'tie' off the anchor, both when deployed and when fully retrieved. That way the bouncing of the boat doesn't put extra stress on the windlass. So to cover all possibilities, you need a cleat to tie off line and a cable with snap/carabiner to tie off chain

 

[JJF]

Here you go:

Standard Stainless-Steel Stopper, 1/4

Check out our Standard Stainless-Steel Stopper, 1/4

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