[Capt. Debbie]

The right line makes the difference.

The line develops a twist under strain and that's where your tangles begin. Wet line lays down nicely. But when it dries it gets hard and very stiff with that twist it acquired.

One little trick that may NOT solve your woes but may help is one I picked up in a magazine. Because the salt water makes you line very stiff when dry and hose wash downs down cure is - fabric softener.

Put the line in a tub of fresh water with common laundry fabric softener added.

Let the rode sit in the brew overnight. Dump it out, hose it and let it air dry. The line will be a universe of difference in flexability and pay out a LOT smoother on the windlass.

For the deep stuff I used to abandon my windlass and use a retrieval ball/ring system and dump all the line in a large plastic hamper(ventilation holes all around). This Fabric Softener idea worked GREAT! When I sold the Charter boat the new owner thought the line was used only once or twice. While it was actually used about 15-20 times.

Not sure if it'll help you. But just throwing the idea out there.