windlass ideas

G

greeneyegi

New member
Im interested in putting a windlass on my 2003 22'cruiser.Ive never had one or used one.So any advice would be appreciated.
I would like to get info on the original one,unless newer ones are better.
The sales guy at the marina said something about putting the motor in the bow?
What is the best way to go?
 
In my other answer to your question about windlass' I mentioned that there were several types. your "marina guy" is thinking "hydrolic" if he is thinking a separate motor. The size we are using on the C-Dorys is much smaller and they are DC electric drive, 12VDC. My Guess, if your boat originally came with one, you would be able to see tracks. Try looking at the underside of the bow deck. See if there are any holes traces. I'm not sure if even a hawse pipe was standard equipment. There is probably an anchor locker, a storage place in the forward corner of the v-birth where the anchor rode would go.

Again, I hope that helps.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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My bad i didnt even recieve an email about the reply.
Thanks i will look into the lewmar.

ive done alot of searches but not getting very good results.I belong to a turbo buick websight and still trying to learn this format.
 
NO problem, the setting for getting email for replies are in the profile section. It's been a long time since I have been there. Easy to find and do, just go through each question carefully.

PM sent

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
There are a couple of basic types. As Harvey mentioned, they will be electric.

Vertical: The motor will be below decks (right below the windlass or just off to the side). The plus of these to me is that you only have a small hump above deck. The negatives are that the chain has to take a more complicated path to get below, and there is less "fall" (height from when chain comes off gipsy to pile in anchor locker). On some, the motor can be more vulnerable to water/mud/etc.

Horizontal: The motor is above decks, part of the windlass body. The plus is that the chain only goes over a gipsy and down (non-complicated path), and the fact that the gipsy is on deck means that you get something like another 6+" of fall. Probably fewer times you have to "help" the chain. The motor is also not vulnerable to mud, etc. To the bad, you have a larger "lump" on deck, and it can somewhat block the fair lead from roller to deck cleat (there are ways around this though).

There are a few brands, but the Lewmars are common on the 22. There is a V700 (vertical) and a 700 (or maybe it's 700H) which is the horizontal. As an option you can get a wireless remote. The 700 is the most common size on the 22, although they make a slightly smaller one that is partially composite (if I remember correctly) and a little cheaper. The gipsy is on the opposite side on that one.

I haven't completely installed it yet, but I got a Lewmar 700 horizontal for my 22. I'm used to manual windlasses and they had the same horizontal gipsy (chain wheel) arrangement.
 
I put a windlass on a prior boat (30') and it was the best improvement that I did over the years. Getting on to the foredeck to drop anchor was a challenge and there was no rail or pulpit on this old boat. Often, my wife had ground tackle duty. I bit the bullet and put on the littlest Lewmar chain/line windlass, which at first seemed very expensive. But afterwards we often dropped anchor several times a day. Lunch, nap, whatever. Don't like this spot? Push a button from the helm and move over 50 yards. I paid about $1K, which turned out to be $1 per anchor retrieval. It was a bargain.

I even looked into an electric windlass for my 16'. That's how much I loved it. Found a cheaper competitor here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEuqMlkx2Bc) but I haven't looked in to the reviews. Just can't justify it on a 16. I'm coming up with an alternative (to be continued).

Mark
 
Marco Flamingo":2ovlirf8 said:
(some deleted)

I even looked into an electric windlass for my 16'. That's how much I loved it. Found a cheaper competitor here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEuqMlkx2Bc) but I haven't looked in to the reviews. Just can't justify it on a 16. I'm coming up with an alternative (to be continued).

Mark
Click to expand...

Mark-

There are some electric anchor anchor systems such as those available from Powerwinch designed for pontoon boats that would be adequate for a 16 for daytime (not overnight) use.. I used one for a while on my 22 before biting the bullet for the ~$1000 type unit.

They have a 3/16" line wound on a spool that sets on the deck, and that line can be changed from nylon to a high tech line like Spectra, etc. to get a breaking strength of up to 1500 + lbs. The elasticity is much less with the super strength rope, but the length seems to make it OK overall.

They don't look as good as the typical powerboat/sailboat windlass, but used judiciously as a lunch/fishing hook setter/retriever, they'll work. The small line would not be advisable around abrasive rocks, however. Maybe a short chain could be added.

Check them out.

They are not a substitute for a real windlass with 1/4" high test chain and 1/2" nylon rope, but they'll work for day use.

I used mine in the California Delta in waters up to 60 feet deep and in up to 25 mph winds on my 22, and never had a problem.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
OK, let's quit dancing around. There are only 2 electric winches that are good enough to provide real anchoring on a C-Dory 22 or 25. These are the Lewmar 700, either vertical or horizontal and the horizontal is the best of the 2. Yes, there are many other options, Sea Wolf mentioned those sold for pontoon boats. Also, every mfg makes a small windlass, but they're more expensive for the same or less capability. And there are those designed for fishing in the Columbia. But the Lewmar 700 is all metal, has a self feed chain/rope gypsy and the horizontal is dependable. The vertical has a seal which can allow grit into the motor. They're about $750 and use 1/2" rope and 1/4" high test chain, which is a good match for the C-Dory.

Tie the anchor rode off to a cleat after setting the anchor. Run the motor when pulling the anchor to ensure you're supplying enough power. Make sure you've set your anchor before relaxing.

Boris
 
Boris,
I too have interest in a windlass and have been looking for a bargain on a Lewmar 700. Of the 700's there are two models. Which of the 700 series, do you think is best?
 
I had the 700 vertical, mostly because I thought that it looked better on our boat, and never once had a problem going from chain to line. The line that I used was the standard three strand and I was able to do my own splice. Also installed a self-launching anchor roller and chain stopper (which we didn't always use because it required going forward on deck). That gear, plus some pricey electrical wire, quickly add$ up. Still, I'd recommend it.

Mark
 
greeneyegi":104fvvk6 said:
Hardee do you have any close ups of your windlass?And what model is it?
Click to expand...

Hi, The closest I have is not really a close up but you can see some of it. I don't have the paperwork on had but if my memory is right It is really a "Simpson Lawrence Sprint 600H". I have not used it very much to be true, but when I have it has worked perfect.

There is a thread about the S/L 600, but it is about the problems with the 600V or vertical not the horizontal. Difference is which way the chain runs, and also the water. The thread is here:

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... sc&start=0

I'm pretty sure it is not the only windlass thread on the site. Looking in the "Forum" index (found here ----> http://www.c-brats.com/viewforum.php?f=5
There is a whole list of anchoring information.

If I was looking to purchase now, I would be looking at the Lewmar 700H. I would go with the Horizontal and eliminate the issues with the vertical seals going out and wasting the motor. In my case,,, if the motor goes out on my 600, I'm going with a new motor from the 700 series.

Hope that helps some.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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That drawing Joe posted is exactly like mine works. The same principal applies to all the windlasses we have discussed here. There are some drum types, which wind the rode onto the drum as it takes it in. They are generally much larger than what would fit on a C-Dory, and they also are hydrolic powered so run of the hydrolic system of the boat, not just an electric motor. You might see these more likely on bigger fishing boats (50-60 feet plus,) and I have seen them on some older larger cruising boats, often more likely on the converted tug types.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Great pic!
So I'm going to have to cut another hole, buy a roller for front and the chain? Recommendation on rope/chain?Just trying to get a handle on what to order.I'm fine with wiring and the installation.after I get all this together I'll post up all the parts numbers.
Also I see a freefall thing is that extra part to add to the windlass? Necessary?
I'll be anchoring in sf bay and delta.
 
Lewmar has been good to us we must drop the pick 2 or 3 times a day often more when lazy man fishing.

I converted my lewmar to a profish this year and it's worked flawlessly tell about a month ago, it didn't want to free fall tell I worked it up and down a few times. So did a little Web search and came across this video, easy to fallow; windless work's like new. I plan on performing this service annually now.

Side Note: My anchor locker has enough space to accommodate about 600' of line + 40' of chain, and enough head room. I've dumped it all many times with minamal problems.

If you have a lewmar profish this maintanace procedure is fast and easy to perform, even for the technical challenge.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EYo31dDaSXc
 
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