Need opinions on anchor upgrade.

[CNYBoater]

The attached pictures are from when I first bought the boat last year. I don’t have better ones yet this year.

I am considering and anchor winch install for my 1994 200 Overnighter. I like the looks of the Minn Kota Deckhand 40. I use a 25lb fluke anchor as my main and it’s a pain to deploy and cleat off. I don’t have the steps molded into a cuddy door other models have so getting around up there is a bear.

I plan on getting a long pivoting davit to mount at the bow, the one I liked had hooks that made sure the flukes are stowed safely. I don’t have a pulpit so I’m curious where to mount the davit? Can I mount the winch close to the windshield so I can easily secure the pin locking the anchor into the Davit? If so, should I also mount some kind of guide mid point between the davit and winch to keep everything straight? I’d also like to know what to do about keeping the short chain rode (6’) from chafing and destroying the fiberglass.

Here is the like for the winch, and I planned on the optional remote helm switch.

https://mk.factoryoutletstore.com/d...40.html?category_id=20878&catalogitemid=35293

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[bobeast]

Its interesting that they call it "Overnighter" but didn't include a windlass. The big issue with a windlass is going to be battery power. You'll need either a dedicated battery and charger setup. Or you'll need to run some thick-ass cables off a solenoid.

Regarding mounting near the windshield, how do you plan to dodge the forward hatch? I think you'd be better off mounting it forward of that.

Also worth noting is that 6' feet of chain is on the shy side. I should think you'd want closer to 20. You typically want at least a boat length of chain in order to keep your anchor somewhat parallel to the bottom. The good news is you can probably get away with a lighter anchor. ~14 - 16 pounds seems appropriate for a 200.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Can't use a windlass since there is no anchor hatch on that model. It's simply called an "overnighter" since you can sleep on it. Would be nice to at least have an anchor hatch, though.

FYI, those MinnKota's are meant for lightweight boats like bass boats and pontoon boats. Could it work? Yes. But the line supplied with those is very thin and not recommended for heavier boats. And you can't add the recommended, 3/8" line since there won't be enough room on the spool for a decent length.

Your plan would make things easy, but it's going to be costly and require A LOT of work to make it happen. Not to mention, again, that the Deckhand isn't really made for anything but lightweight boats. In the end, you would end up with some MAJOR fabrication and an eye-sore of a contraption across the full length of your deck and across/above the deck hatch. There will also be noticeable reinforcement on the underside of the deck, another eye-sore from the cabin side. Honestly, you may be better off taking the money you would spend on this project and apply it towards trading the boat on another one that is set-up the way you want it.

Have you considered just accessing the deck via the deck hatch? You can also deploy the anchor from the cockpit, then have someone hand you the line after you get up on deck (again, through the deck hatch).

By the way, why use a 25lb fluke? That is overkill for your boat. I mean WAY overkill. Not that it's bad to use a bigger anchor, but you don't need anything anywhere near that big. Depending on which model, a Danforth 5lb or 9lb is more than enough. The Fortress FX-7 is another good choice, and even lighter.

 

[CNYBoater]

I actually haven’t had to anchor yet, and we don’t plan to overnight. Cuddly is way to tiny for that. Mostly storage and sometimes son gets out of the sun in there. Bought the boat last year for half the NADA, the admiral isn’t going to approve an upgrade. Also, I tow with a Chevy Trailblazer, so cant go much heavier. It’s a 1994 so needed some things updated, replaced. I boat on Oneida lake in central NY, approximately 20-50’ depth, mix of rock and mud bottom conditions. Fluke anchor came with the boat, I also have a 7lb from my old 17’ boat.

I suppose the cheapest option to solve my problem would be to hit the wood shop and make a collapsible ladder to make climbing to the foredeck easier.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You may not need to make anything too fancy or too big. Possibly just a small, 10" box since you can step on the dash and then above the door. The dash should be plenty strong, but if you felt the need, you could add a support leg. Also google for boarding ladders - there are all kinds of them out there in all kinds of configurations - from hanging to socket mount to flip down/up, etc, etc.