windless

robjb3 · Post by **robjb3** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 3:32 pm

On my 1983 bertram 33sf I found a capped off two wire dc power line in the rope locker in the bow. Are these lines for a windless? I plan on installing a windless this winter and it would be nice if I didn't have to run a line for it. Does anybody know if these wires were intended for a windless, and are they switched? Any help would be great. Thanks - Rob

will newton · Post by **will newton** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 4:28 am

Yes, on my boat (1989 FBC) I was also pleased to have found the windless wires snubed off in the anchor locker. Bertram seems to have done the wire run on all the boats. The wires dead end back near the engine room (not sure where as I had a marina guy do my windless). He added a windless breaker right above the battery box. Works great and saved a bunch of money and time running the wires. Good luck...windless is more than worth the expense. Will

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 1:13 pm

Rob and Will, I also have the same wires in my`87 SF. The ends seem to terminate in the main fuse terminal (above the batteries)and are taped off , like in the rope locker.I also noticed a set of smaller wires along with the larger, I assume for the controls. While I was under the instruments on the bridge,I noticed what I presume to be the other ends of these(smaller) wires, also taped off. By the way,my flow scans are pretty much installed, I still need to connect the senders but otherwise I`m done. Kind of a pain but , really cool when you power them up. I still won`t know if they work until spring when I can run the engines. Frank Price Rowley Ma 87 33 SF

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 3:58 pm

Hey Guys, carefully check the gauge of that wire. On my 33C, I installed the SL 900FF. From my batteries to the bow & back, was 70'. SL calls for ONE gauge wire for that length run. Consumersmarine.com sells a SL kit for 72' total length. Includes all one gauge wire, 14/3 for the flybridge control & all the lugs. I think it was about $160. They were also the only outfit that had 9/16" rode with 20' of chain in the 300' length. My 33C is a few thousand heavier than your sportfishers & I also have a hardtop. Creates a LOT of windage. I dive by myself all the time, while the girlfriend stays up on the boat by herself. I wanted to make sure the boat stayed where I left it, so I'm using a 35 lb Kingston Fastset (Delta knockoff). If you go with the Powerwinch type, they use tiny motors & rely on gearing to do the lifting. With those small motors, any wire that Bertram ran, would be large enough. HAPPY NEW YEAR Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:54 am

I want to replace My rope windless with a chain one, any suggetions to brand and model? also how much chain and what size should i get...i typically fish in 75 feet i am doing this because with no chain i am having a hard time setting the anchor even with my 35# anchor and i think the original windless is getting tired. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:24 am

Tim, I don't know what the best way to go is but if yours is an Ideal windlass I'd be interested in it when you do change it. Frank Price

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:57 am

Frank, it is not an Ideal it is a Good. Good has a trade in offer which i am considering...i have to say it does seem like it is a very rugged windlass.The company has a claim that you do not have to snub off the anchor while at anchor like all the other wimpy windlasses Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:13 am

Tim, If you're happy with them ,it sounds like a good idea to trade it in for the one you want. I still want an Ideal. Frank

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:19 am

i am not sure i want another freefall windlass. it has pluses and minuses.its faster and uses less battery power but i dont like when the rode gets kinked then i have to send the admiral down to the locker to feed it through i would think alot of that might be solved by a power down windlass....also some guys think that your anchor can get fowled easier because all the rode can pile on the anchor when it hits bottom Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:30 am

After reading the powerboat report reviews i think i have decided on the maxwell HRC-8 windlass. What size and length rode does everyone use? I currently have 300 feet of 5/8" rope no chain i would like at least 400 feet of rope and was thinking about 25 feet of chain. I am going with the horizontal windlass because our anchor locker is pretty small and i would like to get as much rode as possible. What size thickness rope and chain is proper for our boats? like i said i have 5/8" however the good windlass company told me that i do not need that thick that 9/16 or even 1/2" is adequate. Obviosly i could fit a lot more 1/2" rope in the locker than 5/8" or 9/16 but i do not want to comprimise safety. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:43 am

I'm not sure what I've got for rode. We don't really anchor that much. I will say that I hate the way a horizontal windlass looks. Mine is set up vertically like Bill's. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:07 am

looks arent everything .....i agree i like the looks of a verticle but they tale up too much room . BTW Doug....puncuate this![:0] Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **Admin** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:46 pm

quote:BTW Doug....puncuate this![:0] Shoot, I wasn't expecting that. Shouldn't have been drinking a coke while reading this, now I've got a mess to clean up! As for the subject, I really need a windless, so I am following this thread carefully. David Sumich 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:26 pm

hahahahahahaha Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:47 pm

quote:Originally posted by photo finish looks arent everything .....i Bite your tongue. The next thing you know you'll be installing fender racks.[xx(] Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA