Specifications

WPOperatingManual Page - 15 - Revised: August 12, 2009
3. Cautions
The autopilot does not have any knowledge of obstacles or ships in the path that it has been told to
steer. The helmsperson is responsible for ensuring that the course is safe before engaging the autopilot
and that it remains safe while underway. If the autopilot should fail it may be necessary to turn off the
autopilot circuit breaker in order to disengage it.
C. Anchoring
1. Anchor and Windlass
The main anchor is stowed on the bow roller and will be either a 45 lb. CQR or a 40 lb. Bruce with 200
ft. of chain. It is secured on the bow and should be tied to the pulpit or the toe rail when under way to
prevent it from deploying while sailing. The chain runs over the starboard gypsy on the windlass and
into the anchor locker below. When deploying the anchor you can use the windlass motor (the boat
engine must be running and at a speed of about 1200 rpm or the circuit breaker will blow) using the
control switch or you can manually deploy by loosening the brake mechanism (three-prong fitting on
the starboard side of the gypsy). It is important to control the speed when deploying. If the speed is too
fast the chain can jump off of the gypsy. When this happens, the weight of the chain will pull the
remaining chain out of the locker at a high speed doing damage to the deck and to any human limbs
that get in the way. DO NOT TRY TO STOP THE RUNAWAY CHAIN FROM DEPLOYING.
The deck is easier to repair than a lost limb! If using the brake on the gypsy to deploy, use the handle
to loosen or tighten the brake. This keeps your hand away from the chain and the gypsy. When the
desired amount of chain has been deployed, apply a snubber line to the anchor chain and tie it off to
the starboard bow cleat.
To retrieve the anchor using the windlass the engine must be running and the engine speed must be
above 1200 rpm. You normally will have the clutch (center button on throttle lever) engaged to keep
the engine at this speed without the propeller turning. Use the windlass control to raise the anchor in
short burst to avoid overheating of the windlass motor. If the wind or current is strong use the engine to
move the boat forward slowly while retrieving the chain. If excessive strain is put on the windlass an
electrical circuit breaker will activate and turn off the power to the windlass. This circuit breaker is
located in the port cabin on the port side of the bunk about one foot off the floor. If it trips, it must be
manually reset before the windlass will work again. While retrieving the anchor be careful that the
chain does not pile up in the locker as this can cause the chain to pop off of the gypsy and run out
uncontrollably. Check the pile of chain occasionally to ensure that it is spreading out into the locker
and not building vertically and near the top of the locker. Do not try to free a fouled anchor with the
windlass, you will either trip the circuit breaker or burn out the motor.
A second remote switch is installed at the helm station for raising and lowering the anchor if there is
no one to do so at the bow. Care must be used to not put too much strain on the anchor windlass when
retrieving the anchor using this aft switch since it is difficult to monitor the strain from that location.
2. Anchor Wash System
An anchor wash down pump is located in the sail locker at the bow of the boat. The circuit breaker that
turns the pump on is in the circuit breaker panel at the navigation station. The inlet water to the pump
is obtained from the same through hull fitting that feeds the toilet in the forward head. Before using the
system ensure that the valve for the through hull fitting is in the open position and the circuit breaker is