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8 plate rope for Good Windless

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by jetawave, Jun 2, 2014.

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  1. jetawave

    jetawave New Member

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    Newtown, CT/Bridgeport, CT
    I am looking into changing the 3 strand rope for my Good Winless to the 8 plate rope that I have heard about. I have heard that it works great and falls into the rope locker easily. But I have also heard that it does not work well going thru the Windless. Does any body have any experience with this? any information would be greatly appreciated before I spend the money for 8 plate.

    Thanks, Jetawave
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've had no issues using 8 plat rope. However, you need to change the Capstan on your windlass if you want it to work right, then it seems to be as reliable as 3 strand IMO.
  3. jetawave

    jetawave New Member

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    8 plate rope

    Thank you for your response. Did you find that the 8 plate rope fell into the rope locker any better than 3 strand.
    Thanks, jetawave
  4. Mark I

    Mark I Member

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    Long Island/Pompano Beach
    I had an Ideal with horizontal capstan on the Viking. With the 8 plait it would jam going in as it did not release from the capstan well. Changed to three strand and it worked perfectly.
  5. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno

    Did you replace the capstan, as Capt J suggested, before reverting to three strand?
  6. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    I have 8 plate with a vertical Maxwell windlass it works very well. The 8 plate falls into the locker nicely. I bought the 8 plate with the windlass so it is sized to fit the windlass. I often anchor in 300' + feet of water so I carry a lot of rode. The 8 plate layes in the locker really well so with 600' of rope and 100' of chain I have no problem fitting it all in the locker.
  7. 2Salty

    2Salty New Member

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    It would be helpful to know what chain specs and rope diameter you currently have. Assuming the right gypsy is fitted for the rope chain combination, generally how well anchor rope falls into the locker depends on the diameter of the rope and the free-fall distance. Thicker diameter ropes (both three strand and 8 plat) will tend to stand up on a pyramid of chain underneath. Again depending on diameter you might find the cost of 8 plat similar to the cost of chain, and again depending on the power of your winch and the depths you anchor in, you may consider an all chain rode.
  8. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yes, BUT on this particular boat the anchor locker was deep and we put 200' of chain in front of 300' of 8 platt, so we hardly ever used the 8 platt, it was simply there if we needed to anchor in deep water. We didn't want to go with more than 200' of chain due to the weight of it in the bow.