Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

The only meaningful way to rate anchor winch performance is by looking at what it will lift and at what speed. The two things to consider are (a) the maximum pull capability and (b) the working load of the winch. Maximum pull (sometimes referred to as stall load) is the maximum short term or instantaneous pull of the winch. Working load is generally rated at about one third of the maximum pull and is usually considered to be the load that the winch is pulling once the anchor is off the bottom. To determine your required maximum pull capability, complete the calculation below. The most useful way to rate windlass performance is by looking at what it will lift and at what speed. The two things to consider are the working load and the maximum pull capabilities of windlass. Working load is the load that the windlass is pulling once the anchor and rode are off the bottom. Maximum pull (sometimes referred to as stall load) is the maximum short term or instantaneous pull of the windlass. ...

Locker space plays an important role in deciding whether to install a vertical or horizontal windlass. Estimating or measuring the depth of fall of the rode into the anchor locker may dictate which type of windlass is most suitable for your vessel. Fall is the distance between the bottom of your windlass (horizontal) or windlass motor (vertical) and the top of the rode when the anchor is stowed. The length of chain and/or rope, along with the type of rope (8-plait or 3-strand), must also be taken into account. 8-plait line is better suited for small lockers and the design of the line helps prevent hockling. The depth of fall is the same for chain only rodes and rope/chain rodes. The minimum recommended fall for anchor rodes is 12 inches. The windlass does not stow the rode in the locker, gravity does.

Nowadays, different types of windlasses are used according to the weight of the anchor and various other vessel requirements. The driving unit can be electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic, which also depends on the ship's system requirement. Electrically operated windlass The   windlass   including   mooring   winch machinery   is   common   for   both   hydraulically   operated    or   electrically   operated equipment .   In   the   case   of   the    electrically   operated   windlass cum   mooring   winch the   driving   motor   is   a   two   speed   motor   controlled   by   a   suitable   pole   changing   device.   The   lower   speed   gives   higher   torque   suitable   for   the   initial   breaking   of   t...