Windlass Chain Counter

[MarkBarker]

My boat has an anchor system (photo attached) which is fed from the windlass straight through the hull below the tubes. While it looks very smart, it makes it very difficult to judge the amount of chain that has been fed. Does anyone know of a decent chain counter that could be retro-fitted that would provide helm information on the amount of chain fed out?

Thanks,


Mark

[Sarah G]

There are some little inserts that go into the chain, so that you can see for each marker how much chain has been let out.

We have traditionally painted marks on the chain, i.e. 1 line - 10 feet, 2 lines - 20 feet. Wool will break and cable ties kill your hands so goodness knows what it would do to the windlass.

I'll try to find the site that does the inserts.

Sarah

[JABS]

Why not fit those chain markers which go between the links. They are for telling you how much chain is out.

Or just paint links with different colours, a different colour every two metres, follow the spectrum... ROYGBIV? You probably don't have more than 16 metres of chain before the rope starts??

Probably quite reliable but it doesn't fit the requirement to have great toys!

Tony

[Sarah G]

Try here

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/Produ...3-b2edae162fce

[MarkBarker]

Originally Posted by JABS

Why not fit those chain markers which go between the links. They are for telling you how much chain is out.

Or just paint links with different colours, a different colour every two metres, follow the spectrum... ROYGBIV? You probably don't have more than 16 metres of chain before the rope starts??

Probably quite reliable but it doesn't fit the requirement to have great toys!

Tony

That is exactly what I did on the old boat, however, you need to have someone holding your feet as you dangle over the bow tubes to count the markers as they go by. Fine in a flat sea but...

You can open up the anchor locker but that means moving cushions etc. The boat has a windlass control from the helm which at the moment relies on guesswork - I could time the windlass so that I know how much goes out every 10 seconds but I thought a little meter might make sense.

Mark

[Millermob]

http://www.maxwellmarine.com/gen_acc...p?sub=features

Whilst reading a boating mag I picked up in the US today I noticed they have rodecounters which count all the chain rope which has been let out by a windlass on a little display. Sounds exactly the thing. Not sure where you would get it in the UK.

[JABS]

If you google Rode Counter, it brings up some suppliers!

[MarkBarker]

Looks like just the job. I shall report back if and when it is fitted.

Thanks