Choosing a Windlass

[SDSeville]

Hi Everyone. My Maxum 2700 SCR (30' LOA/7800 lbs) does not have a windlass. I have tried manually dropping and retrieving the anchor, but it is a little far to the pulpit (especially in rough water) for my liking. Can anyone recommend a windlass?

Any thoughts on these?
http://www.iboats.com/Windlass-Lewmar/dm/cart_id.363788993--session_id.061248891--view_id.1186692
http://www.anchorlift.com/windlass

 

[alldodge]

To use a winless you need a compartment which is deep. It needs to deep enough for the line and/or chain to be able to use gravity to allow line to fall when coming off the winless head. My guess is your anchor locker is not that deep, but could be wrong. A buddy here just installed one in his 27 foot bayliner, but he had to add some depth inside the forward berth area.

Also suggest using a vertical (the Lewmar ones at iboats link) and not a horizontal one. The vertical has the same fall requirements but the head is higher above the deck.

As for the ones the manufacture, with care they will all last, but my preference is Maxwell.

 

[alldodge]

Oh one other thing, most require a deck thickness of around 1 1/2 inch

Here is Lewmar install manual
http://www.lewmar.com/sites/default/files/Manual_V1-6_65001201 issue4a-english.pdf

 

[tpenfield]

Chicks really dig vertical windlasses . . . So you could consider the Lewmar V700 series or maybe Maxwell RC8 series. Make sure you get the complete kit with the circuit breaker and relay rather than just the windlass itself.

+1 to AllDodge 's comments about anchor locker depth and deck thickness. You can/should add a backing board underneath the deck for mounting the windlass. I used a sheet of 1/4" thick starboard (HDPE).

Also, another consideration will be the wiring and switches. You'll have a great time routing the heavy gauge wire through the caverns of your boat. I know I did last year when I installed a Maxwell RC8 windlass.

Here is a link to my thread on installing a bow roller and then later on a windlass. I had run the wiring the prior year when I re-did the headliner in the cabin.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gener...and-bow-roller

 

[SDSeville]

Thanks guys. ...and great job on your bow roller and windlass tpenfield. I wasn't imagining it would be so involved. I will get down to the harbor tonight and get some measurements and take some pics. Will report back soon.

 

[crazy charlie]

AN AFFORDABLE AND INDESTRUCTIBLE BRAND IS "GOOD" THEY ARE TOUGH AS NAILS.

 

[SDSeville]

AN AFFORDABLE AND INDESTRUCTIBLE BRAND IS "GOOD" THEY ARE TOUGH AS NAILS.

Do you have any links Charlie? The Good windlasses I have seen are pretty pricey.

 

[JoLin]

Do you have any links Charlie? The Good windlasses I have seen are pretty pricey.

Good windlasses are pricey. I replaced mine 2 years ago. The original was rope only and I wanted rope/chain. On the plus side, it's very quiet and pulls like a tractor. Check your anchor locker for pre-installed windlass wiring. Many boats are already set up for it.

My .02

 

[crazy charlie]

They usually advertise in all the boating publications.Just do a google search .

 

[crazy charlie]

Didnt realize you are on LI.There is a boating consignment shop in Bohemia that has a couple of Good windlasses