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 hole on the right side
of the windlass.
Continue to pull back on the handle, so that the wing nut 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 wing nut with the 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.
