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 inner hole on the top of
the windlass.
Turn the handle to loosen the gypsy,
which in turn loosens its grip on the
anchor chain.
Your anchor is now ready to drop.
Remove the safety line or safety pin, and
push the anchor over the bow roller,
keeping hands and feet clear. Control the rate the chain pays out by
tightening or loosening the gypsy with the windlass handle.
When you have paid out sufficient chain, between 5 to 8 times the water
depth, tighten the windlass back up. 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 on the windlass and
turn. It can often be 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 fit and strong, it is possible to heave an anchor aboard, even on a
55 footer!
