Installation; Selection Of Position For The Windlass - Maxwell 6000 Series Manual

2.0

INSTALLATION

2.1

SELECTION OF POSITION FOR THE WINDLASS

Windlasses of this size will often be installed in
pairs, giving an emergency backup in the event of
mechanical or electrical failure. In this case one of the
windlasses will normally be retrieving anchor running
clockwise and the other anticlockwise.
Position of the windlass should be selected together
with positions of hawse pipe and spurling pipe.
The deckplate should be installed pointing with its
narrower end in the direction of the incoming chain.
That allows the chain to have maximum engagement
with the chainwheel.
Allow the chain a straight run from the bow roller to
the chainwheel with no more than a 2° deviation from
horizontal (Picture 2.1).
The bow roller should have a vertical groove to suit
the profile of the chain. Its centre line should be
tangentional to the chainwheel (Picture 2.2). This
will align the chain so that it enters the chainwheel
without twisting.
When positioning the windlass, make sure that there
is room to swing the clutch lever, so that it will clear
the pulpit and life lines or bulwark.
The fitting of a chain stopper is essential to take the
load off the windlass while the vessel is at anchor. It
must be correctly aligned with the direction of chain
and installed at appropriate height to avoid the chain
rubbing over chain stopper body or pawl. Make sure
the chain stopper clears the anchor stock.
A tensioner device to tension the anchor into its
pocket is recommended. If the anchor is not snug in
the pocket, it could cause damage to the pocket in a
heavy seaway.
Ensure a minimum of 800mm (32") clearance
between the end of spurling pipe and the chain piled
up in the chain locker. This will assist kinks, which
may develop in outgoing chain, to shake free.
The chain must gravity feed into the locker. If the
chainpipe cannot be positioned directly over the
locker, a heavy wall pipe can be used to direct
the chain to the required area. It is important that
the chain slips through the pipe easily, completely
unaided, sharp corners should be avoided. It may
be necessary to provide the pipe with a bell mouth
or to bell mouth the entrance to the chainpipe from
the locker to assist the free flow of the chain from the
locker.
The chain locker must be of such a size and shape
that the chain will heap up and feed out naturally
without fouling.
8
Definition of rotation
The windlass is called a "clockwise windlass" if
it rotates clockwise, viewed from above, when
retrieving the ground tackle.
Picture 2.1
Direction of chain entering the chainwheel
Picture 2.2
Correct height of Chain Stopper
Picture 2.3
Recommended free space in chain locker