windlass, what type,

mad.deroeven · **Joined:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:04 pm **Posts:** 29

Gents, very new to the boat ownership rankes and am the very proud owner of a 98 278 vista, twin 4.3gi, I am looking at adding a windlass seeing as the vessel is already pre wired for this, what and where shoud I be looking, and does the windlass actually mount in the rope locker under the front access panel??

thanks for your replies

LD

mad.deroeven · **Joined:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:04 pm **Posts:** 29

guess nobody has a windlass :?:

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:43 am

mad.deroeven wrote:

guess nobody has a windlass :?:

Not so much that, as not too many people have a 1998 278 Vista that has had an aftermarket windlass installed. Here is our old pal Al's DIY on how he installed a windlass on his 268 Vista. It should be quite similar for your wider beam 278.

http://members.toast.net/boatguy/proj-14.htm

ChicagoTC · **Posted:** Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:44 am

Beat me to it Cap'n, Al's site is a great source of DIY info.

SundayDinner · **Posted:** Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:02 pm

Here's another good guide for an installation on a 248.

http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=977&p=6927&hilit=windlass+install#p6927

Let us know how it turns out....with pics!

jsimon · **Posted:** Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:29 pm

mad.deroeven wrote:

Gents, very new to the boat ownership rankes and am the very proud owner of a 98 278 vista, twin 4.3gi, I am looking at adding a windlass seeing as the vessel is already pre wired for this, what and where shoud I be looking, and does the windlass actually mount in the rope locker under the front access panel??

thanks for your replies

LD

I have a buddy that just had one installed on his 95 278 Vista. He says it turned out great, no holes in the access cover. Ill take some photos this weekend and post.

mad.deroeven · **Joined:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:04 pm **Posts:** 29

well, the boat is prewired from the factory so I figured somebody would have some info, or at least chime in, the second link was from a 248, which does not really replicate what I am trying to do, anyways I will keep searching and figure it out, thanks for the assistance much appreciated

LD

mad.deroeven · **Joined:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:04 pm **Posts:** 29

thanks Jeff, the photos would be great!!!

Brett248Vista · **Posted:** Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:02 pm

The bow of your boat is not much different than a 248 so yes, it does apply.

FYI the factory used the Maxwell freedom series. Budget about $1500 plus wiring (your boat does not likely have the wiring from the engine compartment to the bow, just the light duty wiring to the dash) which means you also need a contactor and a good one (say 90 amps continuous) will set you back anywhere from $100 to $300.

jsimon · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:06 am

Brett248Vista wrote:

The bow of your boat is not much different than a 248 so yes, it does apply.

FYI the factory used the Maxwell freedom series. Budget about $1500 plus wiring (your boat does not likely have the wiring from the engine compartment to the bow, just the light duty wiring to the dash) which means you also need a contactor and a good one (say 90 amps continuous) will set you back anywhere from $100 to $300.

Actually Brett if his is the same as my friends 95 278 which I assume it is, there is a big difference on how the anchor locker is set up. Ill get the pics and post.

Buoy Howdy · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:43 am

When I looked into a windlass for my 97 278 I was concerned that there was not enough vertical drop in the anchor locker under the required mounting position. The other concern was being able to retain the hinged cover. I'll be interested in seeing the pics of a succesful installation.

jsimon · **Posted:** Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:56 am

Ok guys here are a few pics. boat was in the water and i am parinoid about dropping my phone in, so these are the best I could get.

Hope that helps.

Brett248Vista · **Posted:** Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:38 am

Jsimon,

Wow yeah that is way different. It still looks like a vertical would fit though, i mean if a horizontal fits, a Vertical will.

jsimon · **Posted:** Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:48 pm

Brett248Vista wrote:

Jsimon,

Wow yeah that is way different. It still looks like a vertical would fit though, i mean if a horizontal fits, a Vertical will.

I think a vertical will fit inside the cover for sure, I believe the issue was in the anchor locker, but I don't know for sure because their is not access to the locker behind the mirror like on the 248 and 268, so I couldn't tell. I suggested he have a hatch cut in behind the mirror, just to have access if something ever got tangled up in there.

Buoy Howdy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:35 pm

With it fitting under the cover I would seriously consider the horizontal unit. The installation certainly would be easier. Access to the locker on this boat is tight.

www.iFourWinns.com

windlass, what type,

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