Does the price sound right?

K

kevrangray

New member
I'm looking at purchasing a Lewmar PRO Series 700 Windlass Anchor unit, 150' of rope, and a 14 pound anchor. The boat dealership is quoting $2046.00 for parts and labor to install. This is going on my 22' C Dory Cruiser and I was curious as to if my fellow C Dory brothers and sisters thought that this was reasonable. Any info would be helpful.

Thank you,

Kevin
 
Kevin,

After finding the anchor and windlass for $706 online, the price seems high to me. I would do the installation myself if I were you. I'd also add 50' of chain to that rode.
 
What website did you find it at? This way I can look at getting it from there and I'll probably go ahead and add the 50' foot of rope like you were saying.
 
Note Roger said and additional 50 foot of chain not rode (line/rope) just in case you missed it.

Take care and good luck w/ your purchase.
Dan & Tanya on C-Renity
 
The install is not that hard. I did it twice, different boats. make sure that the unit is far enough back from the bow. This is important if you use a tilting anchor roller and it allows the rode to stack right in the hull. If too far forward the chain and rode will pile up in the rode locker.
 
I agree with those who recommended against the initial quote, it is way too high. I have a Lewmar V700 with 35 feet of chain and 300 feet of line. That is about as much as will fit into the anchor space. I installed it myself and it was not too difficult once one gets past the panic about drilling a 4 inch hole in the deck! The windlass comes with clear instructions and templates for making the cuts. You will also need a 35 amp breaker switch. You can see photos on page four of C-Cakes album. I put the switch under the wheel so I could keep it un-energized until I need the windlass and then have it close at hand. When you get the chain have it spliced to the line very carefully as that is sometimes a hangup point as the chain/line(= rode) plays out or comes in. There is a strong point in the anchor locker for you to attach the rode. I recommend a stainless steel shackle be used. Good luck. There are many people much more knowledgeable than I on this site who can help with all aspects of the installation and use.
 
Defender.com also has it for $699 but you have to place it into the cart to "see" the price. I've aways had great service from them and their prices are very competetive.
 
+2 Defender

I just bought a V700 for my 22 from them and earlier bought a Pro for my Tom Cat when I decided to end the drum windlass experiment. Nothing but excellent service. Generally, I check with Matt first and then go to Defender.

Warren
 
Agree, the self installation is very easy--easier if you own a hole saw of the correct size--but you will probably need it again down the line, and the $$ invested is well worth it. Also the dealer will not seal with epoxy the bolt holes and the hole for the rope and chain--which you can do. Save some money.

Other costs not mentioned include the cable from the battery to the windlass. The circuit breaker/ switch should come with the windlass. You also have to buy terminal lugs and a crimper--but again--an item you will use. For a proper install, I would add a second breaker right at the battery (60 amp would be a proper size.
 
Thanks for all the info. I purchased the Lewmar Windlass Pro fish 700 series that has the free fall feature as well. The total price after shipping and handling came out to be roughly 850.00 which is much cheaper than the 1400.00 I was being quoted. Thanks again for all the info. Will get pictures of it on here as soon as its installed.
 
I just wanted to say thanks for all the info from all my C-Dory Buds out there. I bought the Lewmar Windlass Pro-Fish 700 series with the free fall option from the Defender.com website. I have posted the pictures on the sight after it was installed.

Thanks again.
 
One point-

Your dealer may not be interested in installing something bought on the internet.

We often get asked if we will install motors bought out of state (Oregon has no sales tax) and the answer is always a polite "no". We also give priority to the customers who buy product from us. On July third, if two boats come in needing a repair to salvage a Holiday weekend, the guy who bought the motor from us gets priority over the guy who didn't.

Now, as far as the price of the Windlass in this case, the dealer either: A. isn't getting that great a price to start with from his distributor, or; B. is trying to make a big mark up on the product.

Don't always assume that it's B, because we often find prices online lower than what we can buy a product for from our distributor.

Case in point- I needed a relay for a Volvo Outdrive. Volvo charges big bucks for this thing, so I went to our aftermarket suppliers. None of them had it in stock, and none of them would order for me, so I had to buy it online. A $20 part if I could have gotten it from a local vendor, so I bought it online for $5 less.

The last time I priced a windlass for a boat we were selling, we could not get that model for $700 from any of our suppliers. So after a modest mark up we were in the $1100 range for selling it. And that didn't include everything to do the install.

The low prices on the interent work for those that are handy. And for those willing to assume the risk if things don't work properly. Because if there is a problem down the road, you're on your own, even if it's a factory defect and the item is warrantied. You'll still wind up doing all the labor yourself to remove and replace.

Okay, that was more than one point. :wink:
 
Good points Matt. We see the same thing in our business on occasion and we are even running into the situation where the MSRP and the price we buy it for are the same. The only saving thing about a windlass installation versus a motor, it generally won't ruin a weekend, it will just make it longer.
 
I personally believe that Defender.com is the #1 place to purchase boat accessories. I purchased my windlass there and then took it to a dealer that installed it for me. The dealership here in Redding, California was very friendly and easy to work with. The gave me there price for the install and made it evidently clear that if I wanted to purchase the part else where that they would still install it for me. Thanks again for all the info.
 
I also want to say when I purchased the Windlass from Defender.com it came with everything to install it. As a matter of fact the dealer even told me that if I wanted to that I could just have it delivered there. I do not recommend buying from a dealership that forces you to purchase there product for a higher price just so that they can mark it up 30%. I will continue to use the dealer for the install but definitely not purchasing items.
 
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