Windlass to Boatless

Published in Southwinds Magazine in the Fall of 2019

While in town on Martinique I ran into a cruising couple with a good tale about their boat taking off without them.   They had anchored their boat, set the hook and gone into town that morning.  Upon returning they looked out in the anchorage but didn’t see their boat. “There must be a mistake.  We know it was right here.”  You can imagine the anxious moments that followed.  Had it drifted out to sea? Was it stolen?

It turns out that while they were off the boat, their windlass switch had activated all by itself, retrieving the anchor from the bottom.  Once the anchor was all the way up the boat began to drift out to sea.  Luckily, a local had spotted the boat drifting off and had retrieved it and secured it to a mooring a few hundred yards up the coast.  Talk about relief, but how could this possibly happen and could it happen to you?

Upon investigation it was found that the spring in the foot switch (that holds the contact up) had rusted through and caused the contact to drop down and engage.   The windlass came on and up came the anchor.  When telling this story to another couple they were told that they had a similar incident only their windlass turned on in the “out” position dumping all their chain and then burning up the windlass motor. 

There are probably other stories about windlasses turning on by themselves.  It could have been a shorted remote switch, something falling onto the foot switch in the anchor locker or a switch full of water.  So what is the lesson here?  When not in use or when you go ashore, turn off the breaker to the windlass for goodness sake!

Here are a few other reminders from Maxwell a manufacturer of windlasses.  You can substitute the word snubber for chainstopper, if you’d like.

Tips and guidelines:

• Be sure the windlass has been correctly specified and installed
• The windlass should be used in conjunction with a chainstopper of the appropriate size
• Run the boat engine while raising or lowering the anchor. Not only is this a safety precaution, it also helps minimize the drain on the batteries
• Always motor up to the anchor while retrieving the rode. Do not use the windlass to pull the boat to the anchor
• If the anchor is fouled, do not use the windlass to break it out. With the chainstopper taking the load, use the boat’s engine to break the anchor loose
• Do not use the windlass as a bollard! In all but the lightest conditions, engage the chainstopper or bollard after completing the anchoring maneuver. This will avoid damage to the gearbox and possible bending of the stainless steel shaft
• In heavy weather conditions, always use a heavy anchor snub or stop from the chain directly to a bollard or firmly fixed deck cleat
• NEVER use the windlass or chainstopper as a mooring point
• Always turn the isolator switch “OFF” before leaving the boat
• When using the windlass do not switch immediately from one direction to the other without waiting for the windlass to stop as this could damage the windlass
• Do not depend on the windlass to hold the anchor in its bow roller. A nylon line or an alternative anchor tension system should be used to secure the anchor to its stowed position when underway and will need to be removed before operation of the windlass. Alternatively, a pin through the bow roller and the shank can be used for securing
• Correct fit of chain to chain wheel is essential for the windlass to operate properly.

Most sailors set their anchors by backing down on them.  You should not do this with the load of the anchor chain or line directly on the windlass.  Anchor windlasses are designed to do one thing – to haul up an anchor chain with an anchor on the end.  That’s it.  Backing down with the line on the windlass can be hard on the gears, the shaft, or the mounting integrity. If you will be attaching a snubber anyway just attach it prior to backing down.   

There’s more to it than just stepping on the “up” or “down” switch and an occasional fresh water rinse.   Follow your manufacture’s recommendations for maintenance and care to keep your windlass working smoothly and it will be there when you really need it.  Abuse it and unusual things might happen at the worst possible times.  Your boat may even sail off without you.