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Huw Morgan

I’m so relieved that I’m not the only one who resorts to that! My Winner 9.5 has a small locker and no windlass. So my octoplait rode is nice to handle but if I’m having trouble with the spade in deep mud I resort to my main sheet winch. It aligns well if I use the forward jib sheet roller which fortunately is oversized. Given how many times I’m beating into a nasty Bristol Channel chop, it’s great to keep the bow light.

Greg Gibson

Hi John,
Would you describe how you use your primary cockpit winch instead of a windlass. What happens when you get to the chain? How do you get the rode into the locker? This seems like a good exercise if a windlass fails or, like you, don’t have one.

Robin Atkinson

Windlasses can stop working occasionally so I wondered how my eWincher would cope with lifting the chain and anchor by inserting it into said windlass. 
Before you try this, do check which way the eWincher is going to turn. It is powerful enough to release the firmly tightened windlass freewheel; you know the rest.