windlass

top dog · Post by **top dog** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:58 pm

hey guys i hope that you all have started enjoying the summer we have had a blast (so-far) on our bert this year everything running fine NOCK ON WOOD anyway can anyone answer this?? I have one of those windlasses that you step on the foot button and it HELPS you lift the anchor ( dont know what its called) and my wife would LOVE to loose that task . i need to know what model of regular windlass that lifts the anchor and stores the rode by itself i can buy and if any one has some explanation on what i will need to do to install this.. Thanx again and have a great safe and fun boating season..Pete

Justinf89 · Post by **Justinf89** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:22 pm

The windlass on my '77 convertible is a "GOOD AUTOMATIC WINDLASS" Model 5/8" Ser: 10373 I didn't know Bertram's had semi-auto windlasses.

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:26 pm

Sounds like one of the Ideal windlasses. They work well but are limited as you know. Many of the newer ones do the whole job, Lewmar comes to mind but there are others. Look on Ebay for one place, catalog's like Defender has some also . It's a shame that the Ideal ones aren't so user friendly , it's a great unit and well made, just not easy to use..

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:06 am

I have seen the Maxwell on George's boat. It really is a nice one. Low profile. I picked the Lewmar Profish 1000. But haven't finished installing it yet. That is the above deck model. It can freedrop or lower in gear. Price was around $1000, not counting the breaker and rode. Spend the money on the 8 braid rode and about 20 ft of chain. It won't kink up and jam. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:44 am

Justin, I have "Good Automatic Windlass" it will not pull my anchor up very well with all the chain that I have on the end of my rode. I end up pulling the anchor up and the windlass helps out and feeds it into the anchor locker. How well does your Good Windlass work? Buzz

h2ojst · Post by **h2ojst** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:32 am

Gene, you & I seem to think alike. I too, went with the Lewmar Profish 1000. I've used it just a few times & it works great. I did spend the extra $ for the 8 plait rode & 30' of chain. The anchor is a little light (Fortress)& sometimes it needs a little kick start to freefall. Other than that the installation was made pretty easy by Bertram. They had previously run 00 sized battery cable to the anchor locker, so all I had to do was hook that up to the supplied solenoid, install the supplied breaker, & run the control wires to the bridge. Bertram also had 2 spare wires run for the optional docking lights. I was able to utilize these as well, instead of running new control wires the entire way forward. The complete installation only took about a half day. (not including the anchor roller setup) 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Fort Lauderdale, FL

Justinf89 · Post by **Justinf89** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:42 am

buzzk, to be honest, I have never used it except for make sure it came on when I bought the boat last December.

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:53 pm

If you buy a Fortress anchor you won't need a windless. They are so light it feels like there is nothing on the other end when you retrive it. I have pulled the galvy anchors from the bottom and they are very heavy. Had a windless on the old boat and don't really miss it. I have the F-16 Fortress now. Bill 1989 33 FBC Cummins 6BTA's > ~------- [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:21 pm

Real men don't need no stinkin windlasses!

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:47 am

Yeah, real men just wait for their buddies to anchor and then raft off of them!

greysole · Post by **greysole** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:13 am

After my hearty laugh at the last two posts, I got to thinking. There were several times when I was up in Boston Harbor and got hung up on the warp of a string of Lobster traps. Real man or not,it's mighty difficult to get the anchor to the surface so you can get a line around the warp, ease off on the anchor & then let the line go. My question is are these windlasses powerful enough to deal with a situation like this without burning out the motor or chewing up the gears? I have been planning to add a windlass to my sportfish. One of those Good windlasses came with the boat. The previous owner bought it but never installed it,(just like the current owner). It has sat in my basement since 1989 because I thought that the rode needed to be all rope with no chain between the anchor which I didn't like. I am thinking that I would add a pulpit with roller and a windlass. I have the same wires run forward for docking lights & windlass by Bertram, but would love to see some pictures or actual installations as I am uncertain if there is enough room in the rope locker forward of the v berth. Gerard FREEDOM 86 SF Marina Bay Green Pond

h2ojst · Post by **h2ojst** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:57 am

Gerard, I hid the solenoid in the starboard v-berth upper compartment to keep it waterproof. Since the Lewmar mounts above the deck that left the anchor locker completely open & clear. The 8 plait rode takes up hardly any space. I only have 300 feet of line however. That's more than I need for anchoring in South Florida and the Bahamas. By the way, the raft-up idea only works when your in an anchorage and the fortress does make life easier, but it's still a pain when the wife is driving & you're barking orders up to the helm. Lots easier on the marriage and the back! 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Fort Lauderdale, FL

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:44 pm

I had a Good windlass on my old boat. I turned that into a reef orniment. Gotta question for Joe. The wiring is all there on my boat as well. Was the 12 v connected back at the the battery panel in the engine room? Or do I need to open that up and connect the ground and hot cable? I have a big Fortress, but also a Delta for the windless. I find in the Bahamas I don't hold well up on the bank with the Fortress. My anchor wench says it isn't pulling any more damm anchors. That is where the windless makes it debut. Great thing is , I have probably 20 really good anchors. All found on the bottom some where. Amazing what people cut loose. Got a brand new stainless Delta in the Bahamas last week. Probably came of a SeaRay. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:08 am

Frank, what can I say to a guy that can remove 8d batteries by himself. Buzz

h2ojst · Post by **h2ojst** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:27 am

Gene, the wires are not connected in the battery compartment. They have 20 years worth of electrical tape on the connections. This is where you have to also install the supplied breaker. The ground obviously goes on the ground bar, the load side of the breaker goes on the cable to the windlass & the line side goes on one of your battery switch feeds. That stainless delta will work great. It has the weight a bit forward so it should drop with no sweat. 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Fort Lauderdale, FL