Next message: Sue and Don: "Re: lv-ab: SL Seawolf Windlass question"
Jeff Smith wrote:
> Hi Folks
>
> I friend of mine bought a boat recently that is equipped with an older
> SeawolF horizontal Electric windlass. No operating manual on board.
>
> He asked me to see if anyone can clarify how to lower the anchor. There
> is a small black lever low down on the port side of the windlass that I
> suspect is supposed to pin back a cog to allow the gypsy to turn freely.
> I've never used a SL windlass so I am not much help. The windlass also
> has a flat steel handle tied to it that seems to be used to loosen a
> wheel on the outside of the rope capstan. Not sure by I suspect that you
> use the flat bar to loosen the capstan allowing everything to run
> freely, and then pin back the cog holding the chain gypsy from turning
> and let the anchor free fall.
>
> Or maybe it lowers electrically too? I doubt it since there is only one
> switch at the foredeck.
>
> Sorry if this post sounds clueless...it's just that...well... I AM! :)
>
> Jeff
Jeff
The unit sounds like mine. It is a power up/manual down although the
unit is was also sold as a power up/down model. Operation is simple. Set
the small black lever in the disabled position and don't use it. Use a
30 foot nylon snubber while deployed and don't trust the cog.
The flat bar releases the capstan to allow you to lower the anchor.
Loosen just enough to allow a controlled release of the chain. I drop 10
feet at a time while backing to prevent pileup.. The bar makes capstan
control fairly easy once you get the feel (like a clutch on a manual
transmission). There is a second longer bar with a wrench type end that
is used to manually bring up the chain. Use this bar if your battery is
flat ... takes a while but it works. We use 200 feet of 3/8 bbb on a
40lb CQR. I use a 20lb Danforth on 20 feet of 3/8 bbb and 200 of nylon
when the bottom is loose mud, sand or rock .. seems to work much better
than the CQR and is very easy to retrieve.
--
Brian Stewart
Pilgrim
Whitby 42 #304
VB8320 VA3PIL
___________________________________________________________________________
|| The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request ||
|| in body of message to: ||
