Bypassing the anchor windlass?

[Spiderman]

Looking for suggestions to "bypass" the windlass to let the anchor freefall for faster anchoring. Thus far, have been using an anchor ball and then pulling the rope/anchor into the boat after the first drop. This works okay, yet, a bit awkward and danger in scratching our 335 Freedom.
Any ideas?

Thanks,

Spiderman in SW Florida

 

[DennisG01]

I don't know what type of windlass you have, but if it's not convenient (which I suspect it isn't) to remove and reinstall the rode each time, then maybe you can loosen the clutch. But you'll have to tighten it back up every time, to. Honestly, I can't really think of a comfortable way to do this all the time. I would say either live with it the way it is, or change out the windlass for a free-fall unit. Again, I don't what type you have now or how much room you have to install a different one, but Good makes excellent free-fall windlasses (Made in the USA, too).

Unless of course you just want to eliminate the windlass all together...

 

[wspitler]

I have a 330 with the Lewmar 1000 Profish. In the freefall mode it falls as fast as letting go by hand. The 8 plait line runs thru the pulpit quite fast and the chain runs out quickly as well. If you have the standard Lewmar 700 or 1000, just add the freefall mode available on the ProFish. I think there is a modification kit available. GW may have changed windlasses since my 2007 model. I'm happy with mine when precision anchoring.

 

[drbatts]

My windless does not have a free fall option. It will pay the line out slowly. If we have to do some precision anchoring, and need to let the line out fast. For this I can just pop the line off the teeth windless and pay it out manually by hand. usually goes out pretty quickly. I can just pop the line back in to retrieve the anchor.

 

[wspitler]

If it's a Lewmar, they have a kit to provide freefall. Not very expensive and easy to install.

 

[Spiderman]

Thanks, fellow GW's! I'll check to see if it's a Lewmar and proceed accordingly.