What make or brand of a manual horizontal windlass do you like?
Dan Mills
sakina
NS30U 460
West River, MD
I have an old Simson-Lawrence Hyspeed double action lever windlass and it works just fine. Pretty basic. The name is a bit of a misnomer because I am not sure anyone would use the word “Hyspeed” to describe the pace at which I raise the anchor, but it works just fine and does the job
Mark Nerenhausen
Cloud Hidden
Nonsuch 30U, #370
New Bern, NC
Dan, are you looking to purchase a windlass?
Simpson Lawrence has been bought out by Lewmar as far as I have been able to determine. I don’t believe they sell manual windlasses anymore but they may sell parts for the S/L models.
The Lofran Royal is a manual horizontal windlasses and is still available new.
If you are considering a used windlasses The S/L models were okay but I think there were other makers that were considered better.
Practical Sailor has an old article regarding rebuilding an old manual windlass. I was unable to copy and paste the link, sorry. Search Practical Sailor manual windlass rebuild. They suggest the Nilsson is a better windlass.
Despite their concerns regarding the S/L windlass, I had one that did not give any problems. With a 24” long bar I could generate more power than my Lewmar Pro 1000. The manual was very slow at bringing in the rode. I would only use it to break the anchor out and to lift the anchor when it had 50 lbs of weed and mud attached.
Is there a reason you are not considering a vertical windlasses?
Mark Powers
I second the motion for the Lofranz Royale manual windlass on a Nonsuch 30. I installed this after some lengthy research. My goal was to keep installation hassle, cost, maintenance and usage to an easily manageable level and it has been a good choice. I rarely anchor in more than 15’ of water, carry 50’ of chain and 150’ of Dacron 3-strand rode. We have up to 6’ of tide to deal with in coastal Nova Scotia. I rarely need to use a snubber as all my chain is usually out for overnight anchorage. My bower is a 20 kg Vulcan and my spare is a featherweight Fortress with only 20’ of chain. I can still remember turning 70 and the manual windlass is no problem for me in the conditions where I anchor. The Royale is good for my 8 ton Niagara 35. I never felt I needed a windlass on my Nonsuch 26 in these waters but looking forward, and I will be retiring back to my Nonsuch in the next year or 2, I would choose the same windlass if I feel I need one.
Greg Silver
Misty Cat 26C #121
St. Peter’s , Cape Breton Island
Nova Scotia