Windlass - pay out reading anywhere?

[ryandmartin]

For those having the windlass... any idea if there’s a display anywhere (Garmin 7607s or the Volvo EVC) that shows the amount of anchor chain out on the windlass?

Right now it’s a guessing game on how much I have out. Haven’t been able to find any display showing the amount paid out on the windlass. Only other solution I can think of is pulling it all out dockside and painting the chain at 10’ intervals. I like having the windlass control at the helm, but it really requires a spotter up front to help deploy and retrieve.

[cmattj]

Hey Ryan

I run 15ft chain and the rest is rope. So it’s easy to tell from the helm if I use that control. I use polyester marker flags pulled through the nylon as it will give me an approximate scope. I still walk up to see if the flag is through but i only use about 30-40 feet here on the delta.
They also make colored chain inserts so you don’t have to paint.
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https://www.defender.com/category.jsp?i ... %7C2276131
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67DBD5FC-108E-42AE-B2B9-89EEA4995F28.jpeg

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The other $$ option is a chain counter. For this you could contact your windlass MFG to see if it’s upgradable.

[ryandmartin]

Thanks for the info. I’ll look into these. I like the insert idea a lot... a little worried about anything tied to the chain. That doesn’t cause issues on the windlass?

I did find that the Garmin has an option for rode payout. Haven’t tested it yet, but I actually doubt it has any input from the windlass. I also setup the rudder indicator on it, and it showed nothing, so not too hopeful on the payout.

[jhouse1001]

I used different color paint to mark every 20ft of chain. As I am letting it out I have the spotter call out the colors.

[AsLan7]

I used different color paint to mark every 20ft of chain. As I am letting it out I have the spotter call out the colors.

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Hey jhouse thanks for coming out of the woodwork! Any pics of your Cobalt? As you know we love them here.

An official welcome aboard mate!

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[ryandmartin]

I found a windlass payout reading on the Garmin, but it doesn’t do anything when I deploy or retrieve the anchor. I’ll have to keep digging to figure out how it gets info, as that would be huge.

[jhouse1001]

Here are pics:

2019 Cobalt R7 Surf
- 430hp volvo

[AsLan7]

Here are pics:

2019 Cobalt R7 Surf
- 430hp volvo

Love the color combo...and of course the 430 horse!
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