Help Quick! Gypsy Only or Gypsy + Drum on Horizon 600??

P

Pat Anderson

New member
Thanks in advance for your advice! This morning I placed my internet order for my birthday present, a Horizon 600 windlass. I did not realize there were a bunch of different models (gypsy only, gypsy plus drum, gypsy plus drum "freefall", etc.) - what I ordered was the gypsy only, I have a call in to Boatersland Marine's answering machine to inquire about changing the order. But do I need to? Those of you who have the Horizon 600 (I have observed Bill and El and Da Nag have this windlass, not sure who else), which one do you have, and do I need the gypsy plus drum or is the gypsy only OK? The difference in price is upwards of $100...
 
OK, so why aren't you all daydreaming and typing into your browser instead of working, eh? And answering my question...well, I managed to reach Boatersland Marine and upgrade my order to gypsy plus drum, it was only $80 more, so price was $636 + $80 - got this through Froogle, this appeared to be the best price out there, West doesn't carry same model, so couldn't just print out and have them match it - won't lose any sleep over it, anyway - it is done, and now I am just waiting for the brown truck to pull up...Tyboo - offer for the counter still good?
 
Pat - We're working on the counter. Got a couple of electricians trying to track one down. The switch I got.

What in the world do you need the drum on the windlass for? Dammit, I wish you would ask first! You might be able to use it to pull crab pots or something if you set the anchor rode out of the gypsy. But the rule with a windlass is - never leave the helm seat!

Did you get the freefall or strictly power down? I have no opinion on that one way ot the other. I have the one without freefall, and would get it again. The freefall would probably be real slick if you have good (read: S/L brand) rode.
 
It is the Horizon 600GD (gypsy + drum), not freefall. So, if I can use it to pull crab pots too, I guess that is a plus after all!


TyBoo":2oqzv1cr said:
Pat - We're working on the counter. Got a couple of electricians trying to track one down. The switch I got.

What in the world do you need the drum on the windlass for? Dammit, I wish you would ask first! You might be able to use it to pull crab pots or something if you set the anchor rode out of the gypsy. But the rule with a windlass is - never leave the helm seat!

Did you get the freefall or strictly power down? I have no opinion on that one way ot the other. I have the one without freefall, and would get it again. The freefall would probably be real slick if you have good (read: S/L brand) rode.
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It is the Horizon 600GD (gypsy + drum), not freefall. So, if I can use it to pull crab pots too, I guess that is a plus after all!
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You done good, Pat. I always thought that drum would be cool to have, but just didn't figure I would need it. You can use the thing for lots of stuff, even though you should never have to use it to pull your anchor. Just wrap a rope - any old rope - around it and let it do the work while you keep the slack out of the line. Pull your crab pots; yard the boat up onto a beach; or have Patty run it to drag your tired old water logged butt out of the drink if needed. The only trick will be getting the anchor rode far enough out of the gypsy so it isn't grabbing when using the drum. I'm thinking that with the chain out and on the deck, it will be easy enough to keep the rope free of the gypsy nip.

Be sure and get a self-launch bow roller or some other means to get the anchor to fall off by itself. You'll really appreciate it come June when you're down here chasing them steroidal catfish.
 
Yup - but the counter is not installed yet...tried her out in Lake Washington, just to see if the anchor goes up/down when I press the button - it does.

hansvillian":qyh88a5j said:
Great thread, Pat. I'm two months behind you, so I really appreciate it. Do you have this puppy installed yet?
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Great! Did you install it yourself, and if so, how'd it go?

I just ordered the 600GF (free fall) and the 15/300 combination Mike uses on TyBoo. Once I get it installed, I'll check back in here.
 
No, I had the C-Dory factory install it when they were doing some fiberglass / gelcoat repairs...I am - ahem - somewhat challenged in this department.


CheckRaise":6kxr76ko said:
Great! Did you install it yourself, and if so, how'd it go?

I just ordered the 600GF (free fall) and the 15/300 combination Mike uses on TyBoo. Once I get it installed, I'll check back in here.
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CheckRaise":1v6fd63w said:
Great! Did you install it yourself, and if so, how'd it go?

I just ordered the 600GF (free fall) and the 15/300 combination Mike uses on TyBoo. Once I get it installed, I'll check back in here.
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I recently installed the S/L Sprint 600 which requires a much bigger scarier hole up front and it went well, once past the hole cutting trauma. The 15/300 rode (I used S/L rode) fits my C-22 locker, albeit barely. If it ever needs replacing I'll get the 250 ft. version. There are a few switch/breaker location photos in the Jenny B album. I used 8 gauge wire throughout and have twice run the rode in and out completely with zero overheating and zero motor complaints. I routinely drop the hook and in the short time I've had it, I'll never return to "Backache Windlass"

The pivoting anchor roller REALLY helps.

Don
 
I am not sure what my counter is, it is not installed yet. I have yet to experience a fully functional windlass, hopefully C-Dory will remedy that on the old Daydream (now boat-y-sattva), it is going in tomorrow to get fixed. Probably also going to use some colored yarn or something like that too...


CheckRaise":2mo30mw1 said:
I'm finally getting around to installing the 600GF, and I'm wondering what y'all used for a counter.
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A fairly cheap alternative is to use West Marine anchor rode markers.
Model 104372 $7.49 Colored plastic markers with depth printed on them. 30 - 60 - 90 etc. 9 total. They pass through the windlass just fine.

Or if you have lots of different colored yarn, color code depth using the same standard they use for resistors. Caution, doing so may cause nerd syndrome.

0 = black
1 = brown
2 = red
3 = orange
4 = yellow
5 = green
6 = blue
7 = violet
8 = grey
9 = white
 
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