www.iFourWinns.com

I have an SL262 and there is no separate SL group so I am posting this under boating banter. One of my frustrations with boating is anchoring. Many times, I am anchoring at the shoreline in the ocean and of course I always have a boat full of people. I guess it would be handy to have a dedicated first mate for such tasks but none of my kids are old enough and I feel funny bossing other people around. That said, I usually undertake this task myself and it involves leaving the helm and stepping around and over people which is not fun. I have been trying to devise a solution.

Which brings me to my point. With all of the expertise on this forum, hopefully someone can make some suggestions on IF and HOW I might be able to install a windlass on the front of the SL262. It sure would make my life a WHOLE LOT easier. To answer an obvious question up front, I rarely, if ever, use the front boarding ladder and/or platform. A windlass would be far more valuable.

Advice NEEDED and will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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2009 SL262, Merc 8.1L HO 425 HP With
Bravo III "X" Drive and DTS Smart Tow

I've seen a few on deep V bow riders so I'm sure it could be done. I wouldn't want to watch that hole being cut, though. While I wasn't crazy about the appearance, the thought of not having to haul up in deep lakes made me drool.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

windlass on an SL? wow....

Might as well mount one on the stern and reverse engineer it.



You have a good side cleat? Set it on the driver's side with that side cleat rather than bow or stern... once it's set, then move it bow or stern.

I wouldn't try to go near a windlass in a sportboat...

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I don't mind bossing a few peeps around... They're land-lubbers on MY boat. From launching, to docking and anchoring, part of the price of admission, I guess.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

SL 282 ? they should be out soon

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Of course, everybody has a different group of friends that ride with them. With that said, its perfectly ok to ask a buddy for help. In fact, getting a buddy to help might make them feel more like they are a part of YOUR crew than just a passenger. With some simple tips, it cant be that big of a deal. Tell one to toss the anchor and hold the rope while you set it. When its set, show them how to tie it off...it really shouldnt be that big of a task at the end of the day. Not sure the age of your kids, but getting them on board (age appropriately) will mean the world to them. I am going to teach my oldest daughter (turns 13 next week) how to drive the boat.

Good luck...and in my opinion, I wouldnt put a windlass on a sport boat either. Your semi-unique needs will mean terrible resale problems in the future.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

It won't be a bolt on like the answer I think your looking for, but a good fiberglass man can make you anything you want. All you need is a flat spot, rope locker, roller, custom scuff plate and a checkbook.

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#1 rule of boating, if you are the one running the boat you have to be captain even if it means instructing people on what to do. People want to help they just need instruction on what to do. If you don't want to be the guy in charge and run the ship, become a passenger.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

I appreciate the comment and all the others for that matter. The fact is that I may drop that anchor and haul it up a half dozen times a day or more...which gets cumbersome. Not sure if I agree with the comment about resale value but I am no expert and could be dead wrong. Just to help this thread a bit, here is a pic of the SL262. Notice that there is A LOT of space up front there over that anchor locker. That is why I thought this would be possible. Also take into consideration that this boat is heavy and sits high in the water...it takes a big anchor to keep it still in coastal wind conditions and its not fun hauling it out of the anchor locker several times a day. Add to that the fact that quite often I set a second anchor as well but that one is smaller and I don't mind setting that one myself.

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2009 SL262, Merc 8.1L HO 425 HP With
Bravo III "X" Drive and DTS Smart Tow

Sorry I don't have any advice about a windlass, but overall how do you like the boat? I love the look of it, and have thought about upgrading to an SL.

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2008 Four Winns F224
5.0 Volvo Penta
Towing with Audi Q7 4.2 V8

Can't offer you installation advice (I would think any good boat yard or dealership could) but a windlass is not so unusual on a sport boat this size. Sea Ray offers them on their 250 Select.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

looks like people are doing it:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/displayPhoto.jsp?ybw=&boat_id=2194394&boatyr=2003&boatname=29'+Monterey+298+Super+Sport+Bowrider&photo_revised_date=1269705013000&photo_name=Windlass&photo=4&back=%2Fboats%2F2003%2FMonterey-298-Super-Sport-Bowrider-2194394%2FNaples%2FUnited-States-Minor-Outlying-Islands

dang, leave it to Cobalt

http://msp.ep2.channelbladelive.com/Page.aspx/diid/2427331/list/InventoryList/pageId/14219/view/Details/2010-Cobalt-Boats-276-Bowrider.aspx

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

That's freakin awesome!

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Take Ryan and the Winnisquam guys a picture of that and tell him to have at it... might be pretty interesting what they come up with?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I saw this online today at West Marine:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... ewmar_0415

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4