manual windlass

[nemier]

Sorry team, but I thought I'd try my luck at posting this question again.
Who is using a manual windless? - and what brand are you using?
Will you 'upgrade' to an electric model in the future or are you happy with the 'manual only' model? Look forward to hear from you.

[xsboats]

I use a Lunenburg Foundry Horizontal set up for 3/8" chain and rode. Nothing built is better! It replace a GDI electric.

[chef2sail]

Sea Tiger Simpson Lawrence.....never fails and works like a charm

[lancelot9898]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

Sea Tiger Simpson Lawrence.....never fails and works like a charm

Ditto on the Simpson Lawrence except mine is a one speed model and the two speed would be preferred when single handing. I prefer manual over electric due to the KISS principle however when looking to buy a new boat in the upper 50 foot range I was going to put a Lighthouse windless on before the stock market crashed. For 40 feet and under I would stay with the manual.

[Beersmith]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

Sea Tiger Simpson Lawrence.....never fails and works like a charm

+1 for the Sea Tiger. I am a relatively new owner of the boat, but I wanted a heavy duty manual for simplicity and lower power consumption. So far I love it and appreciate the design.

[WanderingStar]

An old Ideal. So far so good. Though with a lighter anchor (Fortress) I don't use the windlass.

[garymcg]

Simpson Lawrence Hyspeed, single speed. Very reliable although I would love to acquire a Sea Tiger.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Beersmith

+1 for the Sea Tiger. I am a relatively new owner of the boat, but I wanted a heavy duty manual for simplicity and lower power consumption. So far I love it and appreciate the design.

You'll love the SL555 until you're in a deep anchorage with a funky bottom that makes it difficult to get a set with the wind blowing like stink and you have to rehoist and reset three or four times. Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt. We swapped out a SL555 for a Maxwell VC1200 in 2006 and have never looked back. I warned the fellow that bought our 555 about this when he did so but he swore he wanted it for simplicity and reliability on his cruise to Mexico. Eight months later his blog reflected that he was replacing it with...a Maxwell VC1200. I understand our old Sea Tiger has passed through several more hands since.

FWIW...

[nemier]

Do the electric models have an adequate manual back-up? Have you tried it?
Our current windlass is fantastic but there is no way I could retrieve the anchor (30kg Bruce + 200' chain) in manual mode in sufficient time. It would be quicker and probably easier to do it by hand. The 'manual mode' seems to be a gimmick rather than a bonefide back-up option. Your thoughts again please.

[Gene T]

Originally Posted by nemier

Do the electric models have an adequate manual back-up? Have you tried it?
Our current windlass is fantastic but there is no way I could retrieve the anchor (30kg Bruce + 200' chain) in manual mode in sufficient time. It would be quicker and probably easier to do it by hand. The 'manual mode' seems to be a gimmick rather than a bonefide back-up option. Your thoughts again please.

I have an obsolete electric that does not have a manual option. It does have a manual clutch however for lowering. I have a 45lb CQR and 350ft 5/16. I have pondered what to do if I am in 100 ft of water and the windlass malfunctions. Definitely need long snubbers with chain hooks ready to run back to winches.

Gene