Want to add a windlass on a 2006 226 Seafarer

[C Wolf]

Grady didn't make a pulpit nor a windlass for this boat, so the techs say. The Lewmar anchor control and V700 windlass combo that I desire has too big of footprint to use. The distance from the bow to the front edge of the anchor box was a couple inches short. Can anyone help me find a solution? I'm getting too old to walk the narrow gunwale.
Thanks

Craig

 

[DennisG01]

Check the specs on horizontal windlasses, instead of vertical. Horizontals need less "fall" distance into the lcoker. You'll need to get creative with mounting, of course.

Just a side note... you still need to go forward to unlock and lock the windlass since you should not rely on the gearing to hold the anchor. If it should happend to let go, you're pretty much guaranteed the anchor is going to end up in your prop before you can do anything about it... or, it will drop onto the ground and bring you to an awful abrupt halt!

 

[Seafarer_Bob]

I totally agree with Dennis on this, I've never made so many trips to the bow and back since I have a windlass. If you want one I think you need to add a pulpit or extension. If you do, one thing I can say is drill the hole as far back in the locker as you can so the line falls to the bottom. Mine is mounted too far forward so the line gets piled up (above the inner tow ring bolts) until it binds the windlass so anything over 30' I'm needing multiple trips to and from. The real benefit comes when you're anchoring/retrieving in tight , quarters. I fish the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and some spots are so crowded it's really nice to drive in, hit the button, and drop the hook right where you want it.