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. If you still have no
power, you can operate the windlass manually.
To drop the anchor, insert the windlass handle into the
central hole on the top of the windlass.
Turn the handle anti-clockwise so that the gypsy loosens
its grip on the chain.
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 wing
nut with the stainless handle.
When you have paid out sufficient chain, between 5 to 8 times the water
depth, push the handle forward to tighten the wing nut. 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 then
release more chain on the gypsy so that the load is taken up on the snubbing
line.
To raise the anchor, put the handle in the outer hole and turn the whole
drum clockwise, this will wind in the chain. However it is quicker if you pull
the anchor up by hand as the helmsperson motors forward a little at a time,
to give you slack on the chain. If you are reasonably fit and strong, it is
possible to heave an anchor aboard.
