Manual operation of the windlass
If you lose power to your windlass, start the engine and give it some revs, to make sure you
have not just got a low battery voltage. Then make sure the windlass breaker with the anchor
icon is in the „on‟ position on the 12 volt panel. If there is still no power, check the location of
the windlass fuse in this manual, and replace it with the spare in your navigation table. If you
still have no power, you can operate the windlass manually.
To drop the anchor, insert the windlass handle into the star fitting on the right side of the
windlass.
Continue to pull back on the windlass handle, so that the brake cap loosens.
Your anchor is now ready to drop.
Remove the safety line or safety pin, and push the anchor over the bow, keeping hands and feet
clear. Control the rate the chain pays out by tightening or loosening the brake with the windlass
handle.
When you have paid out sufficient chain – 5 to 8 times the water depth, push the handle forward
to tighten the brake. Increase revs to 1500 rpm, to set the anchor. If you drag, pay out more
chain, and re-try 1500 rpm in reverse. When the anchor is set, fit the snubbing line, and cleat it
off, then release the chain on the gypsy as above, so that the load is taken up on the snubbing
line.
