windlass hang up

terraplane · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 10:05 am Post subject: windlass hang up

My R 25 came equipped with a 16.5 claw anchor, 50ft HT chain, 200ft. line.The windlass is a Lewmar Pro 1000. I find that when i am bringing in the rode, the chain get hung up and "stalls"...i have to go into the locker and kind of shift the pile around, then it works.

Also, sometimes the anchor self deploys, sometimes not.

terraplane tom in rock hall

Suggestions?

TyBoo · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

Yeah, me too. Except my anchor always launches just fine. But the rode pile is a hassle sometimes.

One thing I found is that stiffer rope piles better because it doesn't curl up as tightly. The stiffness forces it toward the walls of the locker so it doesn't coil up in the middle so much. Before I got tired of my cheap rode and bought new Lewmar branded rode I had to cut 100' of the 300' off to get it to work at all. Even with the good rope I have to watch it so I stuck a video camera in there hooked up to my Garmin display. That way I see the problem coming before it jams. The chain jamming is bad enough, but if a kink or knot in the rope gets stuck it can be a huge job getting it out of the windlass and hole.

thataway · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject:

There are several types of problems with chain/rode "piles". One is that there is not enough "fall" (space under the deck) for the chain to properly spread out, and it ends up in a pyramid. Second is that the rope bunches up and does not lay properly, Third is that the chain/rode, "tosses" and becomes entangled.

Each type of boat requires a different solution. If the area foreward is not deep enough, you may want to decrease the amount of chain. If there is a way of deepening the anchor locker, consider doing this (removing a false floor or grating). The type of rope rode makes a difference, if it is too stiff, it will not lay, vs if too limp, it may bunch--again trying and listening to what works for others.

In some boats the anchor locker has to be divided with either a net or a petition to keep the chain from tossing.

Look critically at precisely what the dynamics are, and then see if you can deeping the locker or change the amount/type of rode.

terraplane · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject: anchoring r 25

I went out today and ran out 50 ft of chain and about 75 ft of line...no problem on intake until about the last 15 feet of chain, and then i had to reshuffle the chain pile, then it came in fine...on one attempt a kink was in the chain links...

tom

Almas Only · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:00 am Post subject:

Tom:

What do you have connecting the chain to the anchor? If it's a plain shackle, I'm wondering if your problem is trying to feed a twisted chain over the gypsy, which is not going to work. That might also explain some of the difficulty you're having with the line coiling properly in the locker. If the setup is right, and there's enough vertical clearance, the line should coil neatly in the locker, with the chain plopped right in the center of the coil.

You need a swivel at the anchor, and perhaps what's really happening while you mess with the rode in the locker, is that the anchor is free of the bottom, and rotating on the chain until the twist is out, at which point the chain will feed over the gypsy.

Let us know what setup you have. If you need a swivel, I can make a few suggestions.

david

Doryman · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

Just wondering if a pyramid/cone on the locker floor would help?

Warren

thataway · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:53 am Post subject:

The cone is an interesting suggestion, but if there is lack of room (fall), which I suspect, then it would take up even more room in the locker, but it might be worth a try. On the other hand, cutting off 15 feet to 20 feet of chain may also solve the problem.

My experience is that it is rare that anchor rodes lay in a neat coil in lockers, since they are usually narrower at the bottom.

There are pluses and minuses for swivels. I have rarely used them. If the chain is twisted as the anchor comes up, pausing will allow it to straighten. Swivels are often the weakest link, they do not seem to work well under load, and at times put an abnormal side strain on the anchor shank, as well as make the transit over the roller more difficult. It depends on which roller system one has. I do not use swivels on my C Dories..

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject:

Tom, I don't think you need 50' of chain in the Chesapeake Bay. That's a big boat but not THAT big.

Charlie

terraplane · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject: r 25 anchor

After several exercises with the system, I am concluding that shortening the amount of chain would probably solve the problem. The pile only forms in the last 15 ft or so of chain, so i wonder if removiing that amount. leaving 35 ft of chain would do it.

tom

Dora~Jean · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 2:16 am Post subject:

Thataway wrote: