Questions about a windlass
 

Just bought a 1984 V20 step, it is a very clean boat, and I want to install a windlass. I looked up some members installs and they look great. Being a 20ft boat what size and brand of winch should I get. I have always had a boat, 12 to17ft so no experience with the winch. The cuddy bow seems very tight for the amount of rope and chain needed, looks like some mods will have to be done. I usually work on my boats myself, just don't want to start the project wrong. Any advise will be appreciated........Thanks Jim

Hmmm... Jim, you are talking about an anchor windless correct? For my money I like the Powerwinch brand, I use their trailer winches and anchor winchs and really haven't had any trouble with either of them over the years.

What depth water are you thinking of anchoring in? Unless it's very very deep there should be more than enough space in your cuddy for the rode and chain.

I would not need to anchor in deep water over 120ft. Will the Powerwinch brand have free fall feature? I will look up the winch and see if it will do what I need Thanks for your help Destroyer

I always used an anchor ball. No electrical connections to worry about failing, and ALOT less money. The ball does take up a good bit of space, but I never found it to be a big deal.

Definitely an anchor ball for our boats. To solve the space problem, I made an attachment that clamps on my bow rail with a hole in it and clip the ball onto it whil under way, then store it in the cuddly when the boat's not in use.

Talking about a round buoy attached to 3 or 4ft of rope with a ss ring on other end of rope. I don't want to get on the bow to retrieve the anchor

Thanks TheFermanator Think I will give it a try

Thanks Scook, it is a lot cheaper.Thanks Jim

I've always found the Armstrong windlass a good option.

Helps to have a Windline through pulpit anchor roller and at least 5/8" rode.

I've got a Maxwell Freedom 500 for sale if you are interested($1000) with two sets of line, spare motor, gear box and misc parts. I'll go ahead and tell you now, they use their own line(like most windlass manufacture), and if you want extra, you have to buy it from them. Set up came off of a 455 Cruiser motor yacht. I had to repo it as the customer never paid for it. My cost at the time was just over $2000