Winch for Anchor

joelife

Member
Aug 15, 2017
48
Boat Info
240 Sea Ray Sundancer 2008
Engines
5.0 mag w/Bravo 111 drives
Good Morning everyone and Merry Christmas.I posted this question yesterday but not sure what happen to it, so here is my question and Idea:
I have a 2008 240 D like new very well taken care of on a trailer. I am going to cruse for the next 2 to 3 years starting in the Ca Delta then the San Juan islands then on to the Great Lakes.
I have a bow roller factory installed. I was thing about installing a windlass but after my research found the cost too high $3,000. to $4,000. Have to replace the Bow Roller,Move the Bow Navigation Light to the sides, fix the holes, bolt down the anchor locker cut a new access hole to get into the anchor locker buy new chain and rode ect..
So being an accomplished sailboat racer and former owner, I am thinking of installing a Winch on the anchor locker with support. I only want it to be able to break and lift the anchor out of the mud ect.
I would welcome any coments or thoughts and of course advice. Thanks Joe
 
I wouldn't do it unless boat was designed for one. Too many stresses and when waves kick up, they are multiplied.
I have one and love it, BTW.
 
Joe, if you just want to break the anchor loose you don't necessarily need the windlass. If you have two people one person can drive the boat forward while the other takes up the slack in the anchor line. Once you are directly over the anchor it will likely break free. If it doesn't break loose you can tie the anchor line on the cleat and go a little further forward of the anchor without getting the line in the prop and it should break loose. Electric anchors are not supposed to be used to winch the boat forward against current & wind to break the anchor loose.

We have had an electric windlass on our last four Sea Ray's and use this same technique with the windlass.

Hope this helps.
 
Hi Joe,

Being a former sailboater, there are other options you may not be aware of to "unstuck" an anchor with a powerboat. The easiest way is to slowly motor towards the anchor while someone else easily takes up the slack, retrieving the rope. Once you get right over the anchor, it may just lift straight out. If not, you can tie the line to one of the bow cleats, then use the engine to motor forward or the the side to break the anchor free. At that point, it's an easy lift as the anchor doesn't weigh much. To make it even easier, take a few steps back onto the middle of the deck. This was you can stand straight up and the line easily stays in the roller.

EDIT: Looks like Gary is a faster typer than me! Gary, I believe he is referring to a "winch" - a hand crank, like you would find for trimming sails. Not a windlass like we would typically think of.
 
The 240 is an interesting boat. I was thinking they all came prepped for a windless until I just looked at a few 240's that are for sale. I would defiantly place a windless on your wish list for your next boat. I moved from a 260 DA w/o to a 290 DA with and it's so cool to anchor from the helm.

Now on the subject of a stuck anchor..... it's pretty easy to get them unstuck. Pull up as much rope as you can...... tie off rope and then basically run over your rope slowly until it frees itself. But go slow...... don't want to rip off a cleat.
 
Joe, if you just want to break the anchor loose you don't necessarily need the windlass. If you have two people one person can drive the boat forward while the other takes up the slack in the anchor line. Once you are directly over the anchor it will likely break free. If it doesn't break loose you can tie the anchor line on the cleat and go a little further forward of the anchor without getting the line in the prop and it should break loose. Electric anchors are not supposed to be used to winch the boat forward against current & wind to break the anchor loose.

We have had an electric windlass on our last four Sea Ray's and use this same technique with the windlass.

Hope this helps.
Thank You for the advice, I took the boat out the other day and anchored out we have 26' of chain and 230" of rode, we were in 20 ft of water and it was very easy to pull the anchor by hand. I decided to leave it be .
 
The 240 is an interesting boat. I was thinking they all came prepped for a windless until I just looked at a few 240's that are for sale. I would defiantly place a windless on your wish list for your next boat. I moved from a 260 DA w/o to a 290 DA with and it's so cool to anchor from the helm.

Now on the subject of a stuck anchor..... it's pretty easy to get them unstuck. Pull up as much rope as you can...... tie off rope and then basically run over your rope slowly until it frees itself. But go slow...... don't want to rip off a cleat.
Thank you for the advice much appreciated
 
Hi Joe,

Being a former sailboater, there are other options you may not be aware of to "unstuck" an anchor with a powerboat. The easiest way is to slowly motor towards the anchor while someone else easily takes up the slack, retrieving the rope. Once you get right over the anchor, it may just lift straight out. If not, you can tie the line to one of the bow cleats, then use the engine to motor forward or the the side to break the anchor free. At that point, it's an easy lift as the anchor doesn't weigh much. To make it even easier, take a few steps back onto the middle of the deck. This was you can stand straight up and the line easily stays in the roller.

EDIT: Looks like Gary is a faster typer than me! Gary, I believe he is referring to a "winch" - a hand crank, like you would find for trimming sails. Not a windlass like we would typically think of.
Thank You Dennis
 
Happy New Year everyone,hope we all have a great year on the water.I am 4 months away from my cruising adventure.I am Trailing my Sundancer 240 1st Ca. Delta Memorial weekend 2018,2nd Columbia river Portland. 3rd San Juan islands as long as we want to cruise there.4th lake Coeur D Alene , Sand Point Id.On to White fish lake Mt.Bay harbor Mi.
We will see how far we get in 8 to 10 weeks my wife has the summer off .as soon as it gets cold I am taking the boat down to Naples Fla winter in Fla. The following spring pick up where we left off last fall.
If anyone wants to meet up or have any info about raftups ect.. let me know. I will be posting Pics and our whereabouts as we go.
We currently live in San Diego so we are on the water all year. Be safe
 
HNY..

man i sure wish my 260 had the Windlass... getting tired of setting/pulling it up

going to get one this year but have to recover from Christmas...lol ..they are a bit pricey for what seems a simple machine.
 
Hi HNY,
I Did quite a bit of research on the Windlass, the Lewmar 700 would be a good fit for the 260 it is rated for up to a 35' boat. It is quite a project. I found the Windlass on line for about $500.00 to $600.00 then you need to buy the Lewmar chain to fit the Gypsy, depending on where your nav light is you may have to move it. If you have a Bow Roller you will probably have to replace that as well. Then the Anchor locker has to be reinforced and or bolted down. I had quotes for the install and fiberglass work at around $$2800. all total around $4,000. Unless you do it yourself. Oh remember the wiring and use #2 gauge wire.
Good Luck
 
HNY..

man i sure wish my 260 had the Windlass... getting tired of setting/pulling it up

going to get one this year but have to recover from Christmas...lol ..they are a bit pricey for what seems a simple machine.

Happy Dayz...shoot me a PM if you want details but I added the Lewmar Windlass to my 2006 260 DA a few years ago. Big project but doable by yourself. You will need to feel comfortable taking your starboard interior apart to run the cables and the patching over the old anchor hole thingy on the bow takes some talent...

Love your boat, location and pictures by the way!

Ken
 

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