Which windlass, horizontal or vertical

bndfishing · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:52 pm

Getting ready to order a windlass, I am looking at either a Lewmar V700 or a Lewmar Pro Fish 700. I like the V700 because it is a vertical unit and would look good, but the Pro Fish has anchor free fall. We will be anchoring in heavy current in the Columbia River and getting the anchor down fast before it can drift down stream is a big deal. Which way would the group go?

Then I need a relay to run it from the helm, any suggestion on a reasonably priced relay?

One rant, when moving from the 700 series to the 1000 series you get a relay included and the increased cost is less than the small unit and a purchased relay.

Brett248Vista · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:37 pm

Vertical.... Horizontal's belong on fishing boats (or under covers).

You can free fall a V700 too, just loosen the clutch drive, it will free fall as fast as you want it to.

Have you priced contactors lately? (it's more than a simple relay). the V700 comes with a high amperage switch if you want to forgo the contactor setup, this requires heavy gauge wire run into the dash where the switch will be, and using the OEM switch is out of the question. If you want to use the OEM switch you need a contactor and a good one will set you back about $300 for something rated at 60-80 amps continuous load.

captwalt · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:39 pm

I installed the V700 on my boat. You wont be disappointed, its awesome

jsimon · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:33 pm

I installed the pro 700 horizontal unit on our boat a couple years ago... before I knew any better... its alright, better that pulling the anchor by hand for sure, what I dont like about the horizontal is the anchor rhode jumps off the gypsy from time to time... always seem like a critical time like when yo are near other boats... so I am always cautious. Looks.. its a good looking unit, but I would have to agree the vertical units are even more pleasing to the eye.

I would defianlty use a contactor, you dont want to run heavy guage wire to the dash, the lewmar contactors are kinda pricey, but you can get a cole hersee 24450 motor reversing solenoid for about a 100.00 bucks... even less if you shop around. that what I went with and it has worked fine.

In the windlass instructions they advise that you use an alternate means of holding(cant think of the name of the device) the anchor up while underway........ I dont do that, and I dont see anybody else do that either, but thats what made me steer away from the free fall unit, if you accidently hit the switch while underway.... hmmmm not sure if you would like the results.

It is really easy to get the hang of a controlled anchor drop, current or no current.

You will wonder why you didnt do it last year or the year before...

captwalt · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:11 pm

jsimon wrote:

I would definatly use a contactor, you dont want to run heavy guage wire to the dash, the lewmar contactors are kinda pricey, but you can get a cole hersee 24450 motor reversing solenoid for about a 100.00 bucks... even less if you shop around. that what I went with and it has worked fine.

It is really easy to get the hang of a controlled anchor drop, current or no current.

I used the same contactor. When you factor the cost of the heavy (8 min) gauge wire and even more importantly the PITA it is to run it, it is a no brainer!

jsimon wrote:

You will wonder why you didnt do it last year or the year before...

Amen to that

marsat · **Joined:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:34 am **Posts:** 9

Hey Walter, would you mind posting some pictures of your Windlass? I have a 258 and want a windlass but my Marina mechanic says it would be a very tight fit for a vertical windlass. Small locker. Did you have to do fiberglass work for this? How much anchor line are you able to fit? Need an additional battery?
Thanks a bunch.
Mark

Brett248Vista · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:46 pm

Four Winns uses a Maxwell Freedom series at the factory on the 258's and added the Windlass option to the 248 for the 08 Model Year. Both the Maxwell Freedom and the Lewmar V700 will fit the 248/258. The Lewmar needs fiberglass work and gelcoat work since the Hawse Pipe hole is dead center on the bow and a windlass actually mounts off center (the gypsy edge centerlines with the hull) I would assume the Maxwell would also need glass and gelcoat work to be done.

You will not need any extra batteries and for a 248/258 20' of G4 chain and 200' of 1/2" 8 Plait rode with a 15LB Delta works great in most places (that is the factory package).

captwalt · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:04 pm

marsat,

i concur with all of Brett's responses.

If you take a look at this thread viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2095 you will find the pictures of my windlass and breaker.

You also will want to look at this very detailed instruction http://members.toast.net/boatguy/proj-14c.htm on how to do it.

If you need any help on doing this yourself let me know. If your a bit handy this project is not too difficult

www.iFourWinns.com

Which windlass, horizontal or vertical

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