Need a new windlass

[Jmreim]

The Powerwinch 36 horizontal windlass on my Mariner 34 Orient is very old/tired and it's a free-fall system that I really don't like (but the current setup does have up/down foot switches). I currently have 30' of ¼" chain and 150' of ½" line - if possible, I'd like not to replace those.

Any recommendations for a replacement windlass? Are there features I should be sure to have or are they all pretty similar?

Thx in advance for your help -
Jim

 

[Comodave]

Make sure exactly what 1/4” chain you have. The wildcats will be different for each type of chain.

 

[Shrew]

1/4" chain seems short and small. I'd be running about 100 - 130 feet of 5/16th. Lewmar are common and widely implemented windlasses.

 

[Bill V]

If you insist on keeping to 1/4" chain then the Lewmar Pro-Series 700H ($700) will work fine. I would suggest ACCO Grade 43 (G4) 1/4" Chain and is rated 2600#. The Lewmar 1000 ($900) would be my choice for your boat though because of the size. I would use at least 50' of chain and 250' of rode too. For 1/4" chain, an 8 plait 1/2" would be on target but for a Lewmar 1000 5/16 chain and 5/8" rode would be my choice. I use 100' of 1/4" G4 chain and 300' of 1/2" 8 plait rode with my Lewmar 700H

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

I replaced mine a few years ago with a Maxwell Windlass. Very happy with it.

 

[DrissZougari]

The Lewmar Pro-Series 700 and reuse everything that you have (depends on your boating style).

 

[Greatlaker221]

Go for the queen of the jungle, the Lofrans Tigress.

 

[FF]

Some folks find having a vertical drum, a capstan, is useful as line can be more easily lead to it.

In the future is is possible you will desire heavier chain , so find a unit that will allow simple changing of the chain drum.

 

[lwarden]

I replaced mine a few years ago with a Maxwell Windlass. Very happy with it.

I had a Maxwell on my last boat and it worked well after switching the 8-plait rode with one directly from Maxwell. The unit is sensitive to the precise size and type of rode.

 

[Nomad Willy]

Here's a “reel”winch that will accept any kind of rode.

Chain, line or steel cable.
Or all on one rode.

The middle one has chain and mostly nylon line.
The bottom one is mine. $200?

 

[C lectric]

A few GOOD photos of the foredeck may get some more comments once we can see what the arrangement is.
Also insisting on using what you have will limit what you can use.

Just a suggestion about the photos.

 

[FlyWright]

Lewmar Pro Series 1000 with 130 ft 5/16 chain and 200+' 5/8 Brait on self-launching anchor roller. Installed 11 years ago and used extensively while cruising and sturgeon fishing without problems.

If it fatally died this morning, I'd order a new one by this afternoon.

 

[rslifkin]

Only 1 season on it since install, but my Maxwell HRC10-8 has been great so far. It's fast, handles a mixed rode nicely, plenty strong enough, etc.