EZ Anchor Puller

[Capn Mike]

So I'm fussing about my anchor situation; I have a 24' Striper, often fish/boat alone or with kids or my wife, and I don't want to keep humping up the anchor. For various reasons, using the ball is just as cumbersome, and I'm considering mounting a windlass. I'm not sure I like the options in the various catalogs and ran across this product: http://www.ezanchorpuller.com/ . I like the idea of keeping track of the rode on the drum (rather than wondering if it's stacking up in the locker properly), and think I might be able to get one to fit my boat. A little pricy....but if it works really well....<br />Anyone had experience with this?

 

[navigator336]

Re: EZ Anchor Puller

Boy, that is pricey compared to a small windlass. I don't know anything about it, but it appears to be a winch mounted on the bow. Since you're in Vancouver, WA, that things is going to see some salt spray, but I suppose if the motor is very well sealed it would be O.K. Personally, I'd switch to an all chain rode, get a small windlass and wire it up for remote deployment and retrieval. It would still cost less than $1600.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: EZ Anchor Puller

Thanks for the suggestion...however, I'm 116 miles inland on the Columbia River....get to the coast about once a year...sometimes...so salt really isn't an issue (and when I do get to the coast, I'm not about to anchor on the CR bar, i.e., "Graveyard of the Pacific.")<br />An all chain rode is too much for my 24' boat, and isn't recommended because of both river and tidal flow...we need a little more flexibility that the nylon rode gives.<br />But you're right about the cost. I'm looking at smaller windlass, but concerned about the minimum 12" of drop that are recommended for the usual types that drop the rode into a locker....if I have 12", that's all I have....

 

[18rabbit]

Re: EZ Anchor Puller

Mike – the drum is a good idea. Keeps the mud and smelly gunk out of the boat. They are common on commercial fishing vessels…dropping and pulling anchors all the time and don’t have to mess with fowled anchor line. Two issues: that ez puller only yanks 300 lbs. and it’s worm gear driven. Still, better than a windlass, imo. And stay the heck away from their pvc anchor guide, get yourself a ss one.<br /><br />Commercial grade product:<br /><br /> http://www.kinematicsmarine.com/anchor_winches.htm

 

[airman]

Re: EZ Anchor Puller

A friend of mine has something very similar on his boat and is very happy with it. Personally I think a 12" drop is nowhere near enough to prevent tangles. I had about two feet and always had to have someone go down below to lay things out neatly as I pulled the anchor up. My friend's unit is hydraulicaly powered and uses a power steering pump for power.