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Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
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Author:  Decision [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
I want to replace my existing anchor rode as I see signs of wear on the rode and it very well could be the original rode.

I believe I have a Freedom 500 Windlass according to the owners manual I received when puchasing our 328. Our boat is now winterized and awaiting the long wait until spring time.

Anyways, I see in the owners manual that I could replace the existing rope with either a 1/2" 3 strand rope or a 1/2" 8 Plait rope.

Any suggestions on which rope I should go with? Any pros or cons of either?

Either rope would need to be spliced onto the existing anchor chain.

Thanks,
Mike.
Author:  txvista [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
Just went through this process. The 8 plait rode is better, but can be twice as expensive. The 3 strand will have a tendency to twist, bind, and kink. A kink actually broke off the pressure arm and clip inside the gypsy this summer. I thought I needed and a new rode, and went out and bought the 3 strand. When the rode still wasn't catching inside the windlass, I took it apart and realized the damage that was done. My 3 stand was over 10 yrs old, and the strands were pulling apart and jamming the windlass and eventually busting the pressure arm and clip. I used it to long, and ended up having to replace the whole topworks assembly.

I'm still using the 3 strand I bought, but will be very cognizant of the wearing in the future. I ended up buying it from West Marine because I wanted it right away. I will definitely purchase the 8 plait rode next time.

For the winch you have, make sure you get 1/2" rode and the 1/4" G40 chain.

Let me know if I can help, since I just replaced everything this past month.

Here are the two options that West Marine has. I choose the 200' with 20' of chain. Since you may not be in a hurry, I'm sure you can find better prices and probably more chain pre spliced with the rode.

Rode Package, 15' Chain Length, 1/4" Chain Dia., 150' Line Length, 1/2" Line Dia. 151889 1/4HT-150-1/2 In Stock
$189.99

Rode Package, 20' Chain Length, 1/4" Chain Dia., 200' Line Length, 1/2" Line Dia. 151905 1/4HT-200-1/2 In Stock
$229.99
Author:  Paul I. [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
The 8 plait rode is stronger, but harder to splice. I think the 3 stranded gives more, less shock. I replace my rode every 4 or 5 years due the rode getting chewed up by the windlass. I do my boating on the ocean, so I find that 30' of chain works better for me with 250' of rode. On a lake, you can get way with less.

I make up my own rode and reuse the chain from time to time. You just need to splice the rode to the chain, it is easy to do. If your not sure how & this may sound funny, have your wife show you. Most woman can brad hair, its the same thing, You just need to tamper the splice so each of the 3 strands end 1" apart, so it goes smoothly though the windlass. Much cheaper to make it up your self and only 20 minuets of work.

The other thing I do is, put about 3/4" of heave red shirk tubing evey 50' on the rode as markers. If I count them, them I know how much rode I have out.
Author:  Decision [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
Thanks for the replies guys. My initial thoughts were to purchase replacement anchor rope and have the existing anchor chain spliced in, but after reading txvistas's reply I now think I'd be better off to purchase new anchor rode with new longer anchor chain already spliced in.

My original factory anchor chain by memory is probably only about 8 feet or so long, so I could bump this up to 15 or 20 feet and also not need to be concerned about splicing (and doing it right). :)

I then can use the shorter factory anchor chain and use it on one of my other two anchors that I will sometimes take with us if we happen to be anchoring out overnight. I sleep better knowing I have two good anchors down with good chain and rope.

So it looks like I should focus my attention on looking for good prices on appropriate anchor chain/rode packages.

If anybody else knows of places that have competive pricing on anchor chain/rope packages I'd be interested in hearing of them.

Thanks again,
Mike.
Author:  txvista [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
That's actually what I had. I had 8 ft of chain, and was happy to go to 20. Wish I would have done more, but with our lake, 20 ft is sufficient. I used my old chain, and attached it a box anchor for the stern of the boat.
Author:  Decision [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
txvista,

Out of curiousity, did you happen to measure how much anchor rode your 328 had in it before you installed your new rode?

In your opinion is there adequate room to have 200' of anchor rode in the anchor locker in addition to extra anchor chain? I have never looked inside our anchor locker.

Mike.
Author:  txvista [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
It had 200 ft. Plenty of room. Originally only had 6 ft of chain. Now I have 20ft of chain and still plenty of room
Author:  firecadet613 [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
On my 268 I have 30' of chain, and 200' of rode.
Author:  Lakebum [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
Having the windlass, it's easy to get a little complacent with the anchor rode and chain. I did notice that our's started looking a little rough but it snapped before I could replace it. Shame on me, I found a rode-chain combo online for around $90 shipped. 1/2" x 150 with 15' of chain. I know some folks need more chain, but around here 15' is plenty.
Our 328 has the lewmar concept windlass, but i think they work about the same. I did notice that the spring on the pressure arms was broken also. Not sure how long it's been that way, but I just put a new spring on it and called it a day. I was kind of surprised how clean the rode storage compartment was. Only 1 little mud dobber nest. There is plenty of room for extra rode. Sounds like you got it worked out.
Author:  txvista [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
Lakebum wrote:
Having the windlass, it's easy to get a little complacent with the anchor rode and chain. I did notice that our's started looking a little rough but it snapped before I could replace it. Shame on me, I found a rode-chain combo online for around $90 shipped. 1/2" x 150 with 15' of chain. I know some folks need more chain, but around here 15' is plenty.
Our 328 has the lewmar concept windlass, but i think they work about the same. I did notice that the spring on the pressure arms was broken also. Not sure how long it's been that way, but I just put a new spring on it and called it a day. I was kind of surprised how clean the rode storage compartment was. Only 1 little mud dobber nest. There is plenty of room for extra rode. Sounds like you got it worked out.


The slot where the spring fits into completely broke off on mine. I had to replace the whole top assembly, which was a nightmare cause we couldn't find parts. I was pretty shocked about the anchor locker also (mine was clean as well).
Author:  Decision [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
Any tips that would be helpful for removing my current anchor chain/rode or installing the new anchor chain/rode?

I wonder if my wife would appreciate a new anchor chain/rode for Christmas? Gives me a couple months to shop! :lol:

Mike.
Author:  Paul I. [ Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
Decision wrote:
Any tips that would be helpful for removing my current anchor chain/rode or installing the new anchor chain/rode?

I wonder if my wife would appreciate a new anchor chain/rode for Christmas? Gives me a couple months to shop! :lol:

Mike.


Nothing tricky, very straight forward. I remove the rode for the winter. First, untie the end of the rode.Then I just let the windlass pay out the whole rode. To reinstall it, I just feed in about 4 feet and use a bowline to tie off. Then use the windlass to feed the rode into the locker. The reason you want to use the windlass, is so the rode will naturally falls into the locker. This will help prevent the rode from being twisted or tingled.

I would just slice the new line onto your chain. At 55 cents a foot, 200' will coat you $110. A saving of about $60.00 for 20 to 25 minuets of work. A good winter project.

When I buy anything for the boat, I tell my wife, "It's for you" she will say something or a get a look & I come back with "Its your boat too!!"
Author:  MikeN [ Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
I went from the 8 plait to the 3 strand rope when I wanted to lengthen my chain from 8ft to 50 ft. They both worked well in my windlass (same as yours) and I now have much longer chain (200 ft rope and 50 ft chain). Can the 328 hold a Bruce anchore instead of the Plough as the Bruce anchore is the preferred choice around here?
Author:  Decision [ Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
Hi Mike,

Our 328 came with the 22 lb. Delta. I have purchased the next size up Delta anchor (35 lb.) and have been able to insert the Delta 35 lb. into the 328's anchor chute, however, it is pretty much a fit for fit as you pull the 35 lb Delta up snug. If I was coming up to vacation in the North Channel, I would switch to the Delta 35 lb., but for our normal anchoring for afternoons I just keep the Delta 22 lb. on.

My wife cranks me about purchasing anchors, but I also picked up the 33 lb. Lewmar Claw anchor (very similar to the Bruce anchor), but I have not tried to put this anchor into our anchor chute. I think I would just use it as a second anchor when anchoring overnight.

Yes, I like two good anchors when anchoring overnight. Makes me sleep better.

Mike
Author:  gulls@play [ Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Freedom Windlass on 328 Vista
txvista...How does that box anchor work for you? I'd never heard of a box anchor so I looked it up. Is this what you have?
http://www.slideanchor.com/Hlm_ShopIT_P ... e749bb8688
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