Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

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.

A windlass is a machine used on ships that is used to let-out and heave-up equipment such as a ship's anchor or a fishing trawl.   An anchor windlass restrains and manipulates the anchor chain on ship, allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered by means of chain cable. A notched wheel engages the links of the chain or the rope. The windlass is mounted on a doubler plate welded to the forecastle deck. The deck girders in forecastle space is increased. The deck beams pitch distance decreased to accommodate more beams. Four round pillars at four corners of the base of windlass doubler plate connect to the main deck plating to give continuity of strength to deck. Technically speaking, the term "windlass" refers only to horizontal winches. Vertical windlasses are characterized by situating the capstan and/or gypsy above the deck and the motor and gearbox below. Vertical windlasses provide a 180° wrap of the anchor rode around the gypsy giving optimal chain control, ...