Stress Free Anchor Winch

[bachoau]

Hey I have a 7 meter riptide and I am after info on purchasing a Anchor winch Size and best place to buy overseas etc Look forward to input.

[Reel'em in]

I am pretty sure the Stress Free is made in South Aus, so I doubt you will buy them overseas.

I am using one on a 6.7mtr plate boat and it has been great so far.

[PeterGar]

Since my fishing partners refused to continue lifting the anchor for me, I have one on my Noble 685 for a few months now. I have used on a half dozen trips offshore and it works really well. The deepest is in 60m. I purchase an anchor float expecting the winch to wimp out but will be returning the anchor float because it performed so well.

There are several versions available. You want the Maxi NX FreeFall 1400W for a 7m boat. The drum holds a limited amount of rope. Mine has 10m of chain and 90m of 10mm nylon rope. The engine can be configured differently to fit into anchor wells as had to be done with mine. I purchased a Super Sarca anchor ($300) and a swivel for the business end.

Its magic - press the button and up it comes.

You need the engine running when you use it because it uses a lot of power. There is a swag of wiring, relays etc and a control panel to install but once done it fits together nicely. Mine was installed by Enterprise Marine (Narabeen NSW) and they did a really neat job. It was around $3500 all up including install and rope etc. (I think install was a bargain based on what needed to be done)

If anyone wants some photos of the install, cabling, relays etc, PM me and I will send them across.

PeterGar

[Smithy]

$3,500 buys a lot of anchor warp, chain, plough anchors, floats and Ezy lift clips/anchor yankas/rings over the years plus anchoring in 20m is no different to 120m with a good buoy system!

[PeterGar]

Agreed Smithy, my last $100 ball and clips lasted for many years and they work a treat.

As the StressFree drum only holds 100m, 60m is probably as deep as you can go so I expect to carry the ball and a reef pick in anything deeper.

But .. my anchor is quite heavy and now I don't have to carry multiple anchors around the harbour. I went for it because it is a little harder to use a float when anchoring 50m off the rocks/near structures in the harbour (in 15m) or when there are other boats around you.

And besides which Mrs Peter and my mother were always getting grumpy when I used to send them up front to pull in the anchor (neither has a license so I always had to stay driving) - just kidding.

It is a bit of a luxury but it is awfully convenient.

Cheers
Peter

[bachoau]

I will only be fishing to a maximum of 30 meters up in the Territory so I say the stress free will be the one to use but where can I purchase this item.

Thanks

[PeterGar]

I will only be fishing to a maximum of 30 meters up in the Territory so I say the stress free will be the one to use but where can I purchase this item.

Thanks

All the usual suspect places. Whitworths, BIAS, Hillarys Boat Shop all sell them. They are all pretty helpful over the phone. Make sure you get the FREE FALL version.

There is a reasonable amount of setup in the install and wiring so you may like to buy it form a local dealer up there that can do the install. Most of the dealers know what they are competing with and price accordingly. In the end, they had to dismantle mine and rotate the motor to get it in the anchor well but it is a pretty neat job.

You can buy StressFree w pre-made anchor rope kits made up. The key is that there is a proper low profile join between the rope and the anchor chain so that it comes up through the roller (no shackle). I had a drum of 10mm Nylon and 10m of chain that I used to use for beach retrievals on my old boat so they used this and joined it up for me.

I also suggest a stainless swivel that goes on the anchor to get the last chain twist out on retrieval. It cost around $40. I sits just above the anchor between teh anchor and chanin.

You may need a reinforcing plate installed in the anchor well. I had a 6mm plate installed at but manufacture but you should probably make sure that whoever installs does this.

You will also need something to protect the front deck from the chain. They use a piece of Nylon (like chopping board material).

I hope that helps. I will post some photos up of my install that may help with some of the ideas.

Cheers
Pete

[hakuna]

Yes I agree with smithy, they are very expensive and the rope and buoy method works the cheapest, I used it for many years
Now use a stress free and it may cost some but after you have one it is such a luxury to press a button, and go home, I use mine in up to 230 ft water, I run one on a 7 m plate.
If you have the money, it is worth it, specially for us oldies and if you do not have a deckie all the time

Cheers