We have a continuing saga concerning the F35 anchor rode, a Simpson
and Lawrence H-900 windlass and the rode locker.
When we bought Suzee 2.5 years ago she had 180’ all chain rode. Not
ideal for gunkholing on the Cheaspeake. So went to West for a
pre-fabricated 150 3-strand and 15’ chain. Had continual problems
getting the rode to fall into the locker and ended up “burning” at
least the last 20’ of the 3-strand. Recently purchased a Lewmar
8-plait 200’ rode + 30’of chain. Rode behaves better. However we
have now noticed that the rode falls until the locker is “full” which
then requires a trip to the locker to pack the rode pile.
Is the F35 locker simply too small or are we doing something really dumb.
We have a continuing saga concerning the F35 anchor rode, a Simpson
and Lawrence H-900 windlass and the rode locker.
When we bought Suzee 2.5 years ago she had 180’ all chain rode. Not
ideal for gunkholing on the Cheaspeake. So went to West for a
pre-fabricated 150 3-strand and 15’ chain. Had continual problems
getting the rode to fall into the locker and ended up “burning” at
least the last 20’ of the 3-strand. Recently purchased a Lewmar
8-plait 200’ rode + 30’of chain. Rode behaves better. However we
have now noticed that the rode falls until the locker is “full”
which
then requires a trip to the locker to pack the rode pile.
Is the F35 locker simply too small or are we doing something really
dumb.
I would think the contrary; if the rode gets saltier and dirtier
over time, it gets stiffer and packs less and less well. I would say
the rode locker is just to shallow to provide enough fall. I use
only chain, although for shallow and secluded waters this is not
really necessary. I know no windlasses that handle rope well; they
are really made for chain and chain stacks well in the locker.
You might consider anchoring from the stern; cockpit lockers are
usually deeper and easier for stowing large piles of rope. And
cockpit winches are friendlier on rope rodes.
We have a continuing saga concerning the F35 anchor rode, a
Simpson
and Lawrence H-900 windlass and the rode locker.
When we bought Suzee 2.5 years ago she had 180’ all chain rode.
Not
ideal for gunkholing on the Cheaspeake. So went to West for a
pre-fabricated 150 3-strand and 15’ chain. Had continual
problems
getting the rode to fall into the locker and ended up “burning”
at
least the last 20’ of the 3-strand. Recently purchased a Lewmar
8-plait 200’ rode + 30’of chain. Rode behaves better. However
we
have now noticed that the rode falls until the locker is “full”
which
then requires a trip to the locker to pack the rode pile.
Is the F35 locker simply too small or are we doing something
really
dumb.
I have 35 ft of chain in my F35 and the
windlass switch is on the bow next to the locker. I find all 35 ft of
chain will free fall into the locker but the rode I manually feed the rode into
the back of the locker as it comes in. If I don’t it quickly piles up and
backs up in the winch. I think the locker would need to be much deeper to
allow the rode to free fall successfully.
I would think the contrary; if the rode gets saltier
and dirtier
over time, it gets stiffer and packs less and less well. I would say
the rode locker is just to shallow to provide enough fall. I use
only chain, although for shallow and secluded waters this is not
really necessary. I know no windlasses that handle rope well; they
are really made for chain and chain stacks well in the locker.
You might consider anchoring from the stern; cockpit lockers are
usually deeper and easier for stowing large piles of rope. And
cockpit winches are friendlier on rope rodes.
We have a continuing saga concerning the F35 anchor rode, a
Simpson
and Lawrence H-900 windlass and the rode locker.
When we bought Suzee 2.5 years ago she had 180’ all chain rode.
Not
ideal for gunkholing on the Cheaspeake. So went to West for a
pre-fabricated 150 3-strand and 15’ chain. Had continual
problems
getting the rode to fall into the locker and ended up
“burning”
at
least the last 20’ of the 3-strand. Recently purchased a Lewmar
8-plait 200’ rode + 30’of chain. Rode behaves better. However
we
have now noticed that the rode falls until the locker is
“full”
which
then requires a trip to the locker to pack the rode pile.
Is the F35 locker simply too small or are we doing something
really
dumb.
I have the same problem on my F35 with an all chain rode. It requires
one person above decks operating the windlass and the other down below
flaking the chain down into the bottom of the rode locker.
In my case I think the hawse hole for the chain was placed too far
forward. As the chain comes down into the locker it hits the slope of
the bow too soon and piles up in the front of the locker.
I have the same problem on my F35 with an all chain rode. It
requires
one person above decks operating the windlass and the other down
below
flaking the chain down into the bottom of the rode locker.
In my case I think the hawse hole for the chain was placed too far
forward. As the chain comes down into the locker it hits the
slope of
the bow too soon and piles up in the front of the locker.
We really appreciate all the input on this question.
The idea of using such a “plumbing” solution is great. We will
experiment at let you know how it works.
Also, we can report that the Lewmar 8-plait rode is quite an
improvement over the 3 strand approach (mostly our fault when we
burned it). Having 30’ of chain also reduces substantially “sailing”
on anchor.
On a down note, we have now discovered that we really should change
the SL h-900 gypsy so we can handle the G4 chain on our new rode
rather than the current gypsy that only handles BBB chain. As Gilda
(SNL) said “It is always something”
The plumbing solution comes from the Dashews’ Cruising Encyclopedia.
An excellent book to orient yourself on technical problems and
possible solutions. I unstalled 1’ of sanitation pipe in the
underside to keep my chain clear of the windlass motor and gearbox.
We really appreciate all the input on this question.
The idea of using such a “plumbing” solution is great. We will
experiment at let you know how it works.
Also, we can report that the Lewmar 8-plait rode is quite an
improvement over the 3 strand approach (mostly our fault when we
burned it). Having 30’ of chain also reduces
substantially “sailing”
on anchor.
On a down note, we have now discovered that we really should change
the SL h-900 gypsy so we can handle the G4 chain on our new rode
rather than the current gypsy that only handles BBB chain. As
Gilda
(SNL) said “It is always something”