anchor winch and install cheapest possible

[seashawgal]

I dream of getting an anchor winch installed on my 5.3 whittley impala but they are soooo expensive. My boating companion has a shoulder injury and it would make life so much easier. I do see second hand ones on gumtree but I would not have the nouse to install it myself. Cutting a hole in the front of my boat terrifies me. I live in Caloundra. What do you reckon I could get one installed for & where? What type would be best for my small boat that wouldn't take up a huge amount of room on the bow where we like to sun bake sometimes when out on the water. Thanks very much Ros

[wardy40]

Seashawgal, I have a Lone star 600 model on my Haines Signature 530C. They have a good web site with dimensions and pics of installations. I don't have a huge anchor well but it's fits perfect and absolutely love it and it was fairly easy to install myself.
I'm not saying the Lone star is the only one to buy as I'm sure there are other decent brands available.

[seashawgal]

Thanks Wardy
It's looks good the Lonestar 600, can you tell me approx what length of rope it takes and where to buy the rope. Did you get your set up from Ebay?
Thanks you very much for your reply.
Ros

[Dignity]

Ros, are you looking predominantly to use it for inshore work or offshore work, as for cutting holes in your boat don't forget about the one the switch and circuit breaker on your dash, best positioned just to the left of your steering wheel.

[PeterInSA]

I recently looked at the Viper Micro and the Stress Free Mini Me that from memory are good for upto/around 5m boats. Decided on the Stress Free and could not fit it in the anchor well, had a Stainless steel fitting made up and installed( along with the winch) $440 to fit 1/2 down the anchor well at the rear. Just have to run/install the electrical cables/solenoid/Control Switch. Have also installed a 6inch roller infront of the anchor well.

To me, If you DIY install you can get good prices on a winch purchase.

Peter

[seashawgal]

i go off shore from mooloolaba at times so could be fishing in 50metres or so other times i'm crabbing in a shallow creek

[Chimo]

Ros

Have you ever tried a float and ring to retrieve your anchor? Lifting it it in 50 m depth is really easy and when the anchor and chain are up and floating at the float all that is required is to hand over hand it into a bin ready for use at the next spot. Float is probably not much use in a little creek but thats a rather small job most of the time anyhoo.

If you do fit a winch make sure you battery and electrics are up to it.

Cheers
Chimo

[Moonlighter]

Here's a pretty good video of how the float retrieval system works. We use it regularly in water 20m and deeper. Works a treat, just takes a few times to get confident with what you are doing.

Just one note: never, never tie the anchor off to the stern of the boat when retrieving it under power. That is the most certain way there is to sink your boat!!

This method involves tying off the the bow, so that in a worse case scenario where the anchor is totally stuck, it just pulls the bow around towards the anchor. Because when you start driving forward towards the anchor, you aim off about 20 degrees to the left of the anchor rope, which means the rope ends up along the starboard side of the boat as per the video.

There are are a few different types of clips available to connect the lifting ball to the anchor rope, personally, I just use the solid ring and slip it over the anchor rope before I connect the anchor and drop it. The float can float around on the anchor rope ahead of the boat while you are fishing without any issues at all.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JwiNDQW_r08

[Dignity]

i go off shore from mooloolaba at times so could be fishing in 50metres or so other times i'm crabbing in a shallow creek

Ros, I thought the 600 only has 60 meters of 6 mm anchor rode may need to check in which case you would need something bigger.

[Oceanic Dave]

I was about to mention that! NO need to cut holes, cheaper too! WIN WIN!