[C38] Windlass

[Les]

I use a horizontal windlass on JACE.  But were I to do it over I would
make sure to get the one with the rope capstan on the other side.
Getting one with a secondary rope capstan makes sense for lots of good
uses, like hauling things easily, and especially when shorthanded.
Vertical or horizontal is mostly a personal choice.  The horizontal
makes a larger "foodprint", and needs a special tool for hand cranking.
Vertical windlasses generally use a winch handle for the emergency crank
(A good idea I think, but I have never tried one).

	I tried the second battery trick.  Worthless, just adds another battery
to keep track of.  Simpler to add sufficient cable from the house
battery.  I do not run the windlass cable through the DC switch, just a
dedicated circuit breaker.  I ran #4 wire from the panel side forward to
the windlass, and #4 also down to the House battery.  When set on ALL,
some current will come from the starting battery, otherwise it is
totally on the house battery (much bigger bank, lower voltage drop).

	And a very important idea is where and what switches to have.  I have
mine hidden below the anchor locker door.  But that means anchoring is
ALWAYS a two person job, or is done by running forward to manage it.
Not the best solution for single handing.  Switch choice is pretty
important, spend time thinking about the choice.  Where and how they
will be used, where and how to mark the rode length, and the details
that will drive you nuts routinely.


Regards,
Les H

On Wed, 2009-06-10 at 06:56 -0800, Ann Boochever wrote:
> Does anyone have advice on a windlass installation for C-38s. A
> vertical windlass seems like the obvious way to go, but I recall that
> some owners have mounted a windlass inside the anchor locker, which
> sounds appealing. Also, is it best to install a dedicated battery in
> the forepeak and, if so, where?
> Thanks for your help!
> Scott Miller
> Tacita II 
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