Aluminium windlasses are very light and convenient to use but, if you are unlucky enough to drop one into a lock, the chances of getting it back are very slim. Terry Gimson pondered this problem and decided that the answer was to design one that floats. The result is the Floatlass and I have been seeing how it performs.rnAluminium may be lighter than steel but it is still heavier than water, so the best way to make the windlass float seemed to be to incorporate a hollow section to act as a buoyancy chamber. This is made of square section aluminium with the ends securely sealed, and it doubles as the lever arm. At one end is a fairly familiar looking windlass head with two holes for small and large spindles. At the other end is a fixed handle with a revolving outer sleeve made of varnished ash to make it comfortable to use and give extra buoyancy.
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