Does it Flow? Goiot Electric Anchor windlass (winch)

This post is for those of you that are interested to know more about the different equipment we have onboard. If you are not into this, don’t worry, you can skip this one….

We like to use the anchor rather than using flimsy moorings (“poitas” as they are  called here; as you can’t know nor quickly verify the quality of the mooring cable, and the weight of the mooring.. ). We have a total of three anchors on board (safety), and here at this part of the Brazilian coast, usually an anchor type Bruce is a good option. We have 50 meters of anchor chain, plus another 50 meters of anchor cable. The anchor itself weighs 17 kg. To operate (lowering on hoisting) the anchor we have a Goiot Anchor windlass (www.goiot.com ). Both operations could be done manually, but from a safety perspective to use the winch is great. With strong winds/gusts, the forces that sometimes are applied to the anchor, the chain and the winch are phenomenal!

What I don’t like about the set up/model of the winch is that it works vertically and so the contact the chain has with the winch “crown” is rather minimal, and so sometimes the chain slips.. In my opinion a windlass that works horizontally has more contact with the chain and should not slip that easy.

At the other hand, I am happy with the force and sturdiness of the windlass, it never disappointed me until yesterday….. During lowering the anchor, all of a sudden the windlass motor wouldn’t stop (only stopped when  one of the major electrical circuit switches was turned off)… We were very lucky to have anchored next to Webber and Miriam of SV Acauã, and Webber is famous for his ability to get things fixed… As it turned out, the electrical switch of the windlass got stuck… (of course these parts are mounted in a place that only special people can reach) and so yesterday night the job was fixed and celebrated with some cold beers…

So, yes the Goiot Anchor windlass floats, but we stay alert…

Take care and all the best…