Dual Anchor Windlass options

[clubara]

I have a Simpson Lawarence 900GD installed on a Hunter 466.

Does Simpson Lawrence (now Lewmar) make a dual anchor chain or rope/chain gypsy for this unit? Can''t seem to find anything meaningful on lewmar''s website on the topic.


My primary anchor is a Fortress with 300'' of BBB chain and the secondary is a CQR with 20'' of chain and 200'' of 3 strand rope.

Can a rope/chain gypsy be installed where the drum is?

Other options for managing 2 heavy anchors?


Thanks in advance,

allan

Follow You Follow Me

Volcano, CA

[GordMay]

I’d reversers the rodes - ie: CQR /w chain, & Fortress /w chain & rope.

“...My primary anchor is a Fortress with 300'' of BBB chain and the secondary is a CQR with 20'' of chain and 200'' of 3 strand rope...”

[FalconEddie]

Simpson Lawrence seem like good people and I''m sure they can help you out - - but - - and please, I mean no offense - - get the fad/crap piece of aluminum tinkertoy off your bow and stow it below. If you want any degree of security, look at what real cruisers prefer and have prefered for many years, and take the other guys advice and atach the CQR. I hope it''s a 45lb, and the chain is at least 5/16". 3/8" would be better, but 300 feet of it begins to press down the bow.

For your second bow anchor, I would recommend a 33lb Bruce or 35lb Delta with at least a boatlength of 5/16 to 3/8 chain and 5/8" three-strand nylon rode.

By the way, I like Simson Lawrence, I really do, and Maxwell Nilsson, to. But the 900 simply doesn''t have the grunt you want for the 466. Consider installing a unit about twice as strong, and sell the other on Ebay.

Myself, my boat is 32 feet, heavy, beamy, and I use an Ideal Windlass with a 45lb CQR and 200ft of chain, plus a 35lb Delta on 300ft of chain, and the windlass has 2 to 3 times the grunt of the 900 SL, plus, it has a remote control and two directions, which makes anchoring and weighing awesomely easy.

[clubara]

FalconEddie,

Thanks for the insight.... no offense taken on the Fortress.... I''m used to the darts when mentioning it ;-} I was wrong on the windlass, it actually has a SL Horizon 1500, so it should be beefy enough... Regardless of what I''m anchoring with, would really like a second chain/rope gypsy mounted to that sucker. Ever come across anything like that in your travels? I figured if I could put a second gypsy where the drum is I could loosen the clutch on the primary and use the second gypsy on my second anchor...

allan

[FalconEddie]

I have never seen what I''m trying to picture what you''re talking about, but cannot say I have ever seen it done on that unit. Google ''Lighthouse Windlass'' and you''ll see some examples.

They are all stainless and fairly pricy, so I''m not suggesting buying one, (though I secretly covet them like teens covet big rims on their Mom''s SUV), but you might see what you like and go from there.

Consider this: Get another gypsy and clutch assembly for the port side. Disassemble the windlass and have the case reinforced on the port side by a (seriously good) welder. Be sure the case wall is built up to at least 3/4" thickness, so a bronze bushing can be fitted at the machine shop. Bring all the parts to a (seriousy good) machine shop, where they will machine the case and install a bronze bearing, make a new stainless shaft to accommodate both gypsies, paint the case and assemble the windlass.

Of course, throw out your warrenty for the windlass, and be prepared to spend about ten hours of your own time (if all goes well) and about $1000 (conservatively - the welder is reasonable, machine shops always think they should be paid like heart surgeons - maybe they should).

It could work and do what you want. On the other hand, close inspection of your windlass might prove it to be a very bad idea. It''s always worth looking at, though.

Or, you could just buy another one for $1000 and set it next to the first.

[stonecutter]

my system is a Hydraulic vertical windlass, gypsy with capstan on top (3000 in lb torque in both rotation) with port and starboard anchors. 45 Delta and 45 CQR 300 ft 3/8 chain with 300 ft 5/8 nylon it will drag my 36 fter on too a dry beach or off. I have a foot switch at the bow and for safety reasons key switch at the helm .
SV STONECUTTER II

[camaraderie]

You just replied to a 2005 post stonecutter!

[sailingdog]

LOL... at least it was less than a year old...unlike some of the other ancient threads that have been resurrected.

[stonecutter]

I just found it ,It got read and I someone might be interested in Hydraulic systems. i know I spent many hours thinking about electric windlasses and didn't like the high amperage the heat the motors make after the second try or the lack of pull to get me out of shallow water. I used a manual for many years and now I won't live without my Hydraulic one

[rmog]

This is ancient history, but I was reading the posts from 2004 about the Fortress Anchor.

I have one, but don't use it as a primary anchor. I have not use it much at all yet, as a matter of fact.

However, I bought it because it has good research reports on its holding power, etc. I was on an 85 foot US Coast Guard cutter this year and guess what they had as their single primary anchor? A Fortress. I guess it might be an OK anchor.