Page 305 - Vetus

WHICH WINCH? (Italicised items - refer to glossary, page 341) The latter is characterised by a stud (bar) joining the two sides of the link preventing
There are a number of important criteria to be considered in selecting the correct anchor them from deforming when overloaded. High test or calibrated short link chain
winch. These include the vessel size, displacement, windage, anchor size and rode should always be used. Long or regular link chain should not be used with anchor
selection. Practicalities such as locker space and depth of fall for the rode also play a part windlasses.
in deciding which windlass is ideal for you. There are a wide variety of both metric (mm) and imperial (inches) chain sizes
Maxwell Marine’s range of windlasses and capstans is extensive, with models to suit available and these will have bearing on your final windlass decision. It is important
boats up to 120 metres (over 380 feet). This section aims to simplify the selection that the right size and right grade of chain is used to ensure a correct fit of the links
process by taking you step by step through all the criteria that needs to be considered to the gypsy. If the chain is not matched to the chainwheel problems may occur, such
when choosing a windlass or capstan. as the chain jumping off the gypsy or the chain jamming as it will not feed smoothly
through the chain pipe. As chain to chainwheel compatibility is so important, Maxwell
WHAT SIZE WINDLASS OR CAPSTAN FOR MY BOAT? Marine supplies chainwheels to fit just about every known chain available on today’s
Consider the overall length and displacement (either light or heavy) of your boat and use international market.
the chart on the opposite page to identify the most suitable windlass or capstan for your
vessel. DC, AC OR HYDRAULIC?
The wattage of a DC electric motor is not the important factor. Rather it is the
VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL CONFIGURATION? efficiency of the whole winch, including the gearbox and motor, which counts. With
The two basic types of windlasses are differentiated by the drive shaft orientation. Deck the increasing popularity of powerful and compact on-board generators, AC powered
thickness and underdeck space are the two main considerations when deciding which of winches are becoming a practical consideration for bigger boats. Hydraulic systems
the two types to fit. provide another power source well worth considering as they have the advantage
Vertical windlasses make up the majority of anchor winch sales. They are characterised of constant speed under all load conditions and can be run almost constantly while
by situating the capstan and/or gypsy (topworks) above the deck and the motor and coupled with safe guards such as pressure relief valves. Modern hydraulic systems

gearbox below. Vertical windlasses provide a 180 wrap of the anchor rode around the offer an integrated, low maintenance and efficient, centrally managed, power pack.
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chainwheel giving optimal chain control, minimising slippage and jumping. WHAT PULL CAPABILITY WILL I NEED?
Horizontal windlasses are mounted completely above deck with gypsy and capstan The only meaningful way to rate anchor winch performance is by looking at what
located to either side. They provide a 90 wrap of the anchor rode around the chainwheel.
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it will lift and at what speed. The two things to consider are (a) the maximum pull

HOW MUCH SPACE DO I NEED IN MY CHAIN LOCKER? capability and (b) the working load of the winch. Maximum pull (sometimes referred
Deck thickness and locker space play an important role in deciding whether to install a to as stall load) is the maximum short term or instantaneous pull of the winch.
vertical or horizontal windlass. Estimating or measuring the depth of fall of the rode into Working load is generally rated at about one third of the maximum pull and is usually

the anchor locker may dictate which type of windlass is most suitable for your vessel. considered to be the load that the winch is pulling once the anchor is off the bottom.
Calculating the depth of fall differs for horizontal chain only windlasses and for vertical To determine your required maximum pull capability, complete the calculation below.
chain or rope/chain windlasses (see diagram below).
1. Calculate ground tackle weight (anchor + chain + rope = ground tackle)
eg: ANCHOR + 18 m/60 ft CHAIN + 61 m/200 ft ROPE = GROUND TACKLE
30 kg/66 lbs 45 kg/100 lbs 12 kg/ 26 lbs 87 kg/192 lbs
2. Calculate the maximum pull (total ground tackle x 3 = Maximum pull)
Safety guidelines suggest that the pulling capacity of the windlass should not be less
than 3 times the total weight of the ground tackle.
eg: GROUND TACKLE x 3 = MAXIMUM PULL

87 kg/192 lbs 261 kg/576 lbs
In this instance an HRC8, HRC10, RC8, RC10, or VW1000 would be suitable, providing
the chain and rope size is applicable to the windlass being considered. The maximum pull
of 261 kg/576 lbs is well within the capability of all these anchor winches.
SAFETY AND SECURITY TIPS
Recommended minimum fall distances are measured from the top of rode pile (chain or rope/chain) after complete Circuit breaker/isolators are used in the installation of any DC electric windlass
retrieval of the anchor. to provide protection to motor and cables should the windlass be overloaded.
Accessories such as chain stoppers or chain snubbers must be used for safe
ROPE SELECTION anchoring, the avoidance of unintentional self-launching of the anchor and for the
Rope and, particularly chain, selection is extremely important. Deciding on the right anchor prevention of damage to your anchor winch. You should never anchor off your winch
winch for your boat depends on the size, not only of the boat, but also the ground tackle. or use your winch to pull your boat to the anchor spot. The anchor winch is designed
Maxwell anchor winches and capstans are designed to take chain only, rope only or a to lift a dead weight and should not be subjected to the strain of your boat riding at
combination of both. Automatic rope/chain systems are now commonly used on boats anchor. If you think the winch you are considering may be too small, then go to the
up to 22 metres (75 feet). Consequently, Maxwell’s HRCFF6, HRCFF7, HRCFF8, HRC10, next size up. Better to have excess lifting capacity than not enough!
RC6, RC8, RC10 and the evolutionary RC12 automatic rope/chain systems have become Maxwell Marine and their agents or distributors offer free and helpful advice
increasingly popular, as they offer the added benefit of less weight in the bow with the should you have any questions. Alternatively, refer to Maxwell’s website:
ability to carry an increased amount of rode. Chain only systems remain popular on www.maxwellmarine.com
heavier displacement sail and motor yachts. There are two main types of anchor chain.
Short link chain is most commonly used on small and medium sized boats while stud link
chain is generally used on much larger vessels such as Superyachts.

HRC10 Vertical Capstan Vertical Windlass Vertical Windlass & Chainpipe Horizontal Windlass & Capstan
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