Windlass question

M

Mike McManus

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I bough t a 32' boat with a Good automatic windlass on the boat they have a fortress anchor and about 6' of chain and 5/8" line
the website here shows it the cdf 500 series to be for a 32 to 42 foot boat.
http://www.goodwindlass.com/Products/ropewindlasses/ropewindlasses.htm#topofpage

the thing is with the chain it has the windlass cant pull the anchor up all the way and after I do the chain is coiled on the deck. id say 6 feet is way to short id think about 30 feet would be more like it. but then why have a windlass if Id have the anchor still touching bottom when the chain came up to the winch? in order to have the winch pull the anchor into the pulpit i could only have maybe 3' of cahain at best.
 
I'm sure you will get a lot of different answers but in my opinion....

(1) Change out the windless with one that will do chain and use at least 30'.

(2) Get rid of the chain and get a "SuperMax" Anchor. It still does well on a all rope rode.

Dave
 
my plan wil be a anchor windlass im just wondering what good this one would be on a 32 - 42 foot boat
 
Call Good they have a trade in program. I traded in my all rope windlass for their new at the time F850 series. Since they were less than 10 miles from where I keep my boat I had them do the new installation. They did a superb job. I like the color coded rode and I have about 50 feet of chain. It was custom ordered but I had them put an entire new system including a larger anchor sized for a 50 foot boat. Mine is only a 40. This year I had them come back and install foot switches up near the bow pulpit.
I have never had an issue with the new F850C system. Pulls the chain nice and tight and they have a great swivel joint.
Bill
 
The Good website has all the details for their exchange program including pricing. They are a top notch US company.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mike McManus

my plan wil be a anchor windlass im just wondering what good this one would be on a 32 - 42 foot boat

Click to expand...


None that I can see. As it doesn't allow for the use of enough chain.
 
I just installed the same windlass on my 32'. I'm going to use about 3' feet of chain with my Danforth. I never had any holding problems, even with an all rope line.
 
Some of the places I go have a lot of rocks, coral and junk on the bottom so only 3' of chain would make me nervous because of the possibility of abrading or cutting the rode.

I use 20' of 1/4 chain and, for me and where I am, I consider that to be the minimum.

Bob
 
My Good 850 came with a custom made 50-60 foot length of chain attached to the rode. Like I said you need to talk to them tell them what you want and they will customize the rode/chain anchor combo. I'm living proof. Mine was done 3 seasons ago. This year they did the foot switch installation. Your 500 will not do chain unless you want to bring the chain up by hand and store it on deck. The 850 will do all chain if you want.
Bill
 
From the website it clearly states you can customize the chain and rode as I did. I have 9/16 rode and 5/16BBB chain 50-60 feet I don't remember if it is only 50 or 60 feet and over 250 feet of rode.

F850BDA Series windlasses shown above are completely automatic, free-drop rope/chain combination anchor windlasses. They are offered in the standard BRIGHT Anodized Almag Finish. This is a extremely durable, bright aluminum finish and will remain that way for many years in the harshest of marine environments with little maintenence. The F850 is capable of handling the harshest of anchoring requirements. If you are a charter boat or just a weekend fisherman the F850 will get the job done. They retrieve line and chain smoothly and trouble free at 85 fpm. Automatic, free-wheeling anchor windlasses provide the quickest way to the sea floor and to safe anchorage. They are available with a 12VDC or 24VDC 4 pole permanent magnet motor system for all types of boats and anchorages. All windlass kits include a depth color-coded anchor line pre-spliced with a 10' chain lead, stainless steel deck mounting hardware, a Safe-T-Loc switch and dash plate, a reversing control panel, circuit breakers, a deck gasket and complete installation instructions. 3 year warranty. Standard windlass drive shaft/gearbox mounts will accommodate up to a 4" deck/pulpit thickness. An optional mount extension is available to accommodate up to a 7-1/2" deck/pulpit thickness. This should be determined before ordering. See pricing/order form for optional anchor line, chain lead lengths and extended shaft/gearbox mount options that are available.
Bill
 
Billy, do you recall what they allowed on your old one? I have a 500 someone gave me, but haven't been in any rush to install it due to the no chain issue.
 
thanks for the input all Bill ill look into that tradei deal.
Phil, its a 89 32'Bayliner
2122706_1b.jpg
 
Mike, Congradulations! I LIKE !!!!! Is it a gasser or diesel power?
 
I believe $350 or $450 I will ask if the manager at the my marina remembers or can find the receipt tomorrow. We are on the boat all weekend it's windy & cold outside but warm inside, if the winds calm down I'm hoping to get out off the dock. He was ultimately in charge of the mechanical upgrades and repower. I was in charge of the entertainment, GPS/Navigation, Communications, Sanitation and safety features of the upgrade of the boat. I am as I said extremely happy with the larger 850 windlass, foot controls, rode with BBB 5/16 chain and larger anchor combination. I was not happy with the old rope only Good it worked fine but lacked the chain needed to properly hold my boat.
Bill
 
Mike, I use 30' of chain and about 200' of rode on my 33 footer.

After bending a danforth, I changed to a Bruce anchor. trouble free and sets evert time. never gets caught up in the chain either.

The windlass is a Lewmar 700 or 900 (I think 700) free fall model.

Push the down button and she releases completely.

This combination has worked well in the harbor and out in the Gulf for fishing.

Good luck with the new boat.

Going to the Xmas parade or Rim Canal Parade?

RWS
 
You have a rope only windless working as designed. Get a rope-chain windless. 6 to 8 feet of chain on a 30' boat is generally adequate. Do the angles at a 7:1 scope and the chain is off the bottom in 2-3 feet. Unless you anchor in front of a 4' rock, there shouldn't be a problem.
 
The Good is also a free fall unit. I like free fall units. It gets the anchor and chain to the bottom fast, this is good in emergency situations.
The original poster has 6-8' of chain and is not happy with it.
I wouldn't be happy and wasn't either that's why I now have at least 50' of 5/16th BB chain.
As for the anchor type they change depending on the bottom type in your area.
While a 7 to 1 scope is ideal at many times it is not practical. Again this is determined by wind, tide, if you are anchored in a group. Its best to set an anchor alarm or have a watch.
Bill
 
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