Anchor Winch Installation
After prevaricating for quite some time, I finally went ahead and bit the bullet with the purchase of an anchor winch. I fish by myself a fair bit, anchoring up in fresh easterlies, and this has to be the way to go. Looked at all the options, and eventually decided on a horizontal windlass type. Bought a Maxwell HRC6 FF, after veering towards the South Pacific 710 or 810 for a while. Was eventually swayed by someone who started with the SP 710, was ok, but eventually had issues, and replaced it with the Maxwell. Reckons it is an absolute brute, and once he starting using the correct 8-strand plait rope, absolutely trouble free.
I don't want to get into the drum vs windlass debate--as I have stated before, I have a couple of reasons why the drum doesn't suit either me or my boat. It would either have to mean mounting it externally, ugly and constantly weather exposed, or internal bulkhead mods to fit it inside the big rope locker. Plus, you have to have it tied to the drum at all times, which means you can't drop it in a hurry if you need to chase a fish. Note to self--be careful about dropping 8-strand plait from the windlass winch, IT DOESN'T FLOAT. I have plenty of drop under the winch, so should have no trouble getting 100 metres of 12mm in, probably 150.
Holes were all drilled to template, done slightly oversize, then the exposed timber core had expoxy worked well in and left to cure before the gear was fitted up with sealant. A chain stopper was added, plus a horn cleat for taking the shock load off the winch when anchored in rough conditions. And a fairlead each side for directing handling or mooring ropes away from the bowsprit.
The Swiftcraft had a relatively short foredeck, but at least it is flat. It was a juggling act to get the rear stud holes in the right place as there is rib and structure under there, and bring it forward to clear them cramps the whole thing too much. The chain stopper is as far forward as it can be and still work with a Sarca #2 and swivel.
lawndered
Posts: 170
Date Joined: 27/10/11
Question
Looks good mate, so where's the fall? on the side there, and up through the winch?
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I've got that style on my rig
I've got that style on my rig too. Biggest problem I find is the rope and chain builds a little mound in the anchor well and ends up jamming due to it. Definitely want the well as deep as possible.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
The well is quite deep
Falls straight down behind the chain wheel you can see, in the deepest part of the well. i think I measured it at 600mm? The well is also full width, and, with the very soft 8-strand plait, should spread out a bit. I certainly think I'll have no problem with getting 100m of 12mm in there ( 100 m of 12mm silver rope used to live there as back-up)--I have a 200 metre coil coming, plan to run out 100 m, winch that in, then see how much more will go in there without getting the clearance too low.
it's all wired up now, with only one issue--the reversing solenoid supplied pulled a terminal out when I was tightenening up the cables. So it is all complete, apart from rope and a solenoid which has to be replaced under warranty.