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.

1. General 1.     Windlass of sufficient power and suitable for the size of chain cable is to be fitted. Where wire ropes are proposed and approved in lieu of chain cables, suitable winches capable of controlling wire rope at all times are to be fitted. 2.     Windlass is to have one cable lifter for each anchor required to be kept ready for use. The cable lifter is normally to be connected to the driving shaft by release coupling and provided with brake. 3.      For each chain cable, a chain stopper is normally to be arranged between the windlass and hawse pipe. The chain cables are to reach the hawse pipe through the cable lifter only. 4.      Electrically driven windlasses are to have a torque limiting device(slip clutch). Electric motors are to comply with the requirements. 5.      The windlass is to be capable of exerting, for a period of 30 minutes, a contin...