Lou Aubert, Seventh Heaven, #7
Last year when we were in the true Canadian wilderness, we lost our windlass because the anchor was caught on something BIG. We carry a Bruce 110lb anchor as our primary anchor. Never had it drag. We apparently bent the shaft on the windlass and with a second attempt ground the gears into shreds. Later we were able to retrieve the anchor by hand winching it aboard with the jib windlass. Fortunately we were buddy boating with another larger boat and were able to raft up with them for the next 2 weeks (No place to go for a new windlass).
When we got back to civilization we could not locate a Maxwell 1200 anywhere on the West coast. I chose the next size up - the Maxwell 2200. With a slight modification to the deck, we were able to install the larger windlass. Only one problem - the lid to the anchor locker would not allow the lid to close because of the angle. We had to split the lid, fore to aft and hinge it on both sides (which I like better now).
The new Maxwell 2200 runs as smooth as glass and the anchor comes up easily.
(Click on picture for full size)
