Windlass anchor rope “rode” tangling/jam fix?

[quantase]

Hello all, I have a new GW 235 with windlass and experienced some jamming of the anchor rode rope when letting anchoring. Do anyone have any suggestions in how to eliminate the jamming in the windlass and tangling in the box? I’ve let it all the way out and let it come back in, but still get the occasional jam in the windlass. Thanks!

 

[glacierbaze]

Do you have a swivel between anchor and chain?

 

[agoltz]

soak the rode in downy fabric softener overnight. Its its new its stiff and might have a hard time

 

[Halfhitch]

It's been my experience that getting jams when deploying the anchor is to be expected with any windlass setup with close quarters such as you find in our little recreational boats. A line, when rapidly pulled up out of a randomly formed pile, will form hockles and if fed through a tight opening such as a windlass gypsy, that hockle will not feed until it is pulled back and the line is straightened. That's why it is imperative that there is hand access to the underside of the windlass. Other folks may live a charmed life and this never happens but it has never been a "sit at the helm and push the button" experience for me. For that you need a drum winch that spools the line. The Aussies have come up with a fabulous design but they are quite proud of them. $$$

 

[wspitler]

Highly recommend 8-plait rode! I found it much easier to lay in the anchor locker and have had few if any tangles. With my old three strand I had continuous issues. Changed and soaked the 8-plait and I’ve had no issues since.

 

[TikiCharterFishing]

One easy fix is to let out all the line with nothing on it and let it untwist. You can drag it behind the boat if you're in a secluded area. But 8 plait is also a good idea.

 

[quantase]

Do you have a swivel between anchor and chain?

Yes, I have a swivel in between anchor and chain.

 

[quantase]

I have heard of a guide pipe where the rode comes into the locker from the top o help guide, but not sure if that would help. Anyone used or made a small rode guide? If so, does it really help?

 

[quantase]

Yes, I have 3 plait rode currently. Probably will go to 8 plait later, but trying to use the 3 plait until it's mostly worn since it is new. Has anyone also used any type of tape or way to mark the rode so that you know how much you have used and still safely go through the windlass? I was thinking of a permanent marker sharpie, but that would eventually rub off the rode.

 

[Teaserhead]

Yes, I have 3 plait rode currently. Probably will go to 8 plait later, but trying to use the 3 plait until it's mostly worn since it is new. Has anyone also used any type of tape or way to mark the rode so that you know how much you have used and still safely go through the windlass? I was thinking of a permanent marker sharpie, but that would eventually rub off the rode.

Try weaving a little piece of ribbon around one strand of your rode, every 25 feet.

 

[Uncle Joe]

I had the same problem in my 24 Offshore. The storage locker is so small that the rope would kink and twist no matter what I did. As I only usually anchor in 100 ft or less I stored the last 150 ft of line in a 3 gal bucket in the cabin. It helped quite a bit.

 

[coldpizza]

Highly recommend 8-plait rode! I found it much easier to lay in the anchor locker and have had few if any tangles. With my old three strand I had continuous issues. Changed and soaked the 8-plait and I’ve had no issues since.

That's what I did for my setup. It works out much better than the 3-strand I had before. I can't say it is foolproof, but much better. I also added a remote for the Lewmar so I can mess with it from the bow instead of having to go back and forth from the switch in the dash to the bow/winch.

 

[quantase]

Thanks for the advice! Someone mentioned using a remote for the windlass. Do any of you have a preference on which wireless remote for the lewmar windlass is easy to install and works well?

 

[coldpizza]

Thanks for the advice! Someone mentioned using a remote for the windlass. Do any of you have a preference on which wireless remote for the lewmar windlass is easy to install and works well?

I have a 3-button version. It is a Lewmar remote. Works well for my situation.

 

[seasick]

Try weaving a little piece of ribbon around one strand of your rode, every 25 feet.

I have had no luck with colored tape or chord woven into the line.The windlass sprocket eats up the markers. Spray paint seems to hold up longer but still doesn't last forever. Try the paint but run a narrow piece of masking tape and spray around it for the first mark. For the second mark, use 3 pieces of tape spaced about 1/2 inch apart and then spray. That will leave paint with two 'white' bands when you remove the tape.
Repeat for the third marker but use 4 pieces of tape which when removed will show 3 white bands For the next sequence, use a different color paint, starting with one line,etc.
I sort of got away from the markings and instead have measured how much line gets let out in a certain amount of time. I just count off the footage in seconds.