1997 400DA winch question

[Z-Worthy]

I'm still in the learning stages with my new (to me) 1997 400DA, and I decided to play with the winch this weekend. To my surprise, there is no chain at all. It's just a relatively short 200' feet of old worn out anchor line. I would love to replace it with a substantial length of chain and then a new line, but the winch appears to be designed specifically for line. It almost seems like switching over to chain would require an entirely new winch. Anyone else run into this problem?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Check with the manufacturer of the windlass to find out what the "gypsy" is designed for and if you can change it for a different gypsy (if needed) to handle rope/chain.

 

[Boat Guy]

I don't know if this helps you, but my 400da is all chain and works with the Windlass. It's possible they had different versions....

 

[h_gerry]

I'm still in the learning stages with my new (to me) 1997 400DA, and I decided to play with the winch this weekend. To my surprise, there is no chain at all. It's just a relatively short 200' feet of old worn out anchor line. I would love to replace it with a substantial length of chain and then a new line, but the winch appears to be designed specifically for line. It almost seems like switching over to chain would require an entirely new winch. Anyone else run into this problem?

if your windlass is a gray metal box with a cleat style post at the front, it is most likely a "Good Windlass Model CFD". Check there website for a picture and confirm this. These wind lasses are not able to accept chain and there is no "gypsy" to change to accept chain. Most of the time a Sea Ray also mounted them close to the anchor roller so you cannot get much chain, if any, on the line. I am only able to get about a foot of chain on mine.

 

[bahamabreisus]

If yours is a "Good" windlass, you need to buy the line from them. Their line is the only one that works.

 

[RollerCoastr]

My '97 came with a Lewmar which accepts both chain and rope.

 

[Z-Worthy]

if your windlass is a gray metal box with a cleat style post at the front, it is most likely a "Good Windlass Model CFD". Check there website for a picture and confirm this. These wind lasses are not able to accept chain and there is no "gypsy" to change to accept chain. Most of the time a Sea Ray also mounted them close to the anchor roller so you cannot get much chain, if any, on the line. I am only able to get about a foot of chain on mine.

You, sir, are correct! That's exactly the windlass that I have. And like you, I have a very short distance between the anchor and the windlass. :-/

 

[Z-Worthy]

If yours is a "Good" windlass, you need to buy the line from them. Their line is the only one that works.

Are you positive of this? I find that very hard to believe, but if you know this from experience than I certainly won't argue.

 

[Z-Worthy]

I guess this brings up some follow-up questions that hopefully my fellow Good windlass owners can help with.

Do you guys always tie off the line or will the windlass hold strongly enough on it's own? I would obviously tie it off if I were ever overnighting or in any questionable conditions. But I rarely ever anchor, and when I do it's usually just for a quick lunch or some swimming and it's always in a very calm anchorage. What are everyone's thoughts?

Who puts a float on their anchor? I always like to tie a float with a separate line so that I can retrieve my anchor in the event that my main line ever gets severed. But I rarely see other people doing this. Am I the weirdo?

 

[bahamabreisus]

Sadly enough I know from experience. Cant remember what size line we needed, but ordered from West Marine, that line slipped just like the one we were replacing. Called "Good" about it, thinking there was a tension adjustment or something I was doing wrong. The explained, their line is the only one that would work, I ordered it and it worked great. Go fiqure

 

[Nehalennia]

An anchor with no chain is pretty much useless. I can't imagine your windlass not being able to work with chain.

 

[h_gerry]

I guess this brings up some follow-up questions that hopefully my fellow Good windlass owners can help with.

Do you guys always tie off the line or will the windlass hold strongly enough on it's own? I would obviously tie it off if I were ever overnighting or in any questionable conditions. But I rarely ever anchor, and when I do it's usually just for a quick lunch or some swimming and it's always in a very calm anchorage. What are everyone's thoughts?

Who puts a float on their anchor? I always like to tie a float with a separate line so that I can retrieve my anchor in the event that my main line ever gets severed. But I rarely see other people doing this. Am I the weirdo?

The other posts are correct, you must use Good's line in the windlass otherwise it will not work properly. If you find the windlass still slipping even after you get new line, or if you want to before buying the line, Good has a program that you can remove your windlass and ship it to them and they will rebuild the entire unit for a reasonable price. Check their website and give them a call with the serial number from the case. They will be able to tell you the history of the windlass and give you an idea of the rebuilding program. I had the unit on my old boat rebuilt by Good and it worked great...right up until Hurricane Sandy totaled the boat.
Good does make a model that is made for both rope and chain, again they need to use their rope and chain. It is on the website, the 850 series, I believe. It is able to use some of the holes used by the CFD so you don't have to drill as many holes in the boat. I am considering that unit for a future upgrade when the time comes.

In answer to you questions:
I would suggest that that you tie off to the post whenever you anchor to take the strain off the windlass. The more strain it takes, the faster it will wear out the mechanism. That being said, for some short stays in calm water, you should be ok.
I don't use a float, but in a busy anchorage, using a float is not a bad idea to let everyone know where your anchor is so that someone does not run over it.
I would suggest that you try to get some amount of chain between the anchor and the windlass. Even if it is a foot or less, it will help you. Get the largest size that you can fit in the space.

the attached picture shows my setup with the chain I was able to add.

 

[tdschafer]

Does the "Good" brand rode have a weight built into it? I remember seeing anchor line in the past (when I had to replace my lost Anchor due to a line failure) that had lead incorporated into it for weight purposes.


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Todd