Windlass recommendations

P

PGATOO

New Member
Sep 13, 2019
9
Boat Info
1992 Sea Ray 290
Engines
454 Mercruiser
Hello folks, admins I hope this is the right place for this request, if not do not hesitate to move it to the correct forum. I just bought a new to me 1993 290 and want to add a windlass. I have had a 28 footer before but it did not have one so I want to install one on the 290.

I am confused with Vertical vs Horizontal and which one would be best for this boat model. My original thought was a low profile one with the motor below deck but I have read a couple of places that there is a bulkhead that interferes with the install. My second thought was a Lewmar PRO-Series 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Series Windlass.

Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch for an experienced boater but a Sea Ray newbie!
 
Lewmar makes a decent windlass. We’ve got one on my Uncle’s fishing boat. It’s a free fall. The one big problem we have every year is someone operates it who isn’t familiar with free fall windlasses and the thing won’t retrieve until I get down to his boat and adjust the clutch for him.
If you can swing it, then seriously consider a “Good” brand windlass.
I put one of them on my old 300 Sundancer and it was bullet proof. Never even a hint of a problem with it.
It’s a family company based in New Jersey. Give them a call and they will answer any questions you may have.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Maxwell makes some very good free fall windlasses. Ours functioned flawlessly for the 15 years we owned the boat. Our rode was a combination chain and rope. Worked perfectly with zero maintenance other than keeping it clean.
 
Vertical vs Horizontal... Aesthetics aside, the size of the anchor locker and, more importantly, the depth of the anchor locker where the chain/rope will "fall" is the number one thing that will determine which one you use. The amount, and type of rode, that you chose will be a factor, too. A lot of this all depends on your boat model. I'm assuming you have a 290 "Sundancer"? Most likely a vertical will work. But read up on that - look at the installation instructions for a few models as that will give you more detailed information.

There's a possibility that your boat is pre-wired for a windlass - you'll have to stick your head into the locker to see. If it's not, just know that this is a VERY labor intensive job. It's not a "buy the windlass, bolt it down and be done thing". It's totally doable, but it is a BIG job.

You also need to make sure you use proper wiring/fuses/breakers to avoid electrical issues. However, even if it's pre-wired, given that the boat is 30 years old, the wiring could be quite corroded inside the sheathing.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Vertical vs Horizontal... Aesthetics aside, the size of the anchor locker and, more importantly, the depth of the anchor locker where the chain/rope will "fall" is the number one thing that will determine which one you use. The amount, and type of rode, that you chose will be a factor, too. A lot of this all depends on your boat model. I'm assuming you have a 290 "Sundancer"? Most likely a vertical will work. But read up on that - look at the installation instructions for a few models as that will give you more detailed information.

There's a possibility that your boat is pre-wired for a windlass - you'll have to stick your head into the locker to see. If it's not, just know that this is a VERY labor intensive job. It's not a "buy the windlass, bolt it down and be done thing". It's totally doable, but it is a BIG job.

You also need to make sure you use proper wiring/fuses/breakers to avoid electrical issues. However, even if it's pre-wired, given that the boat is 30 years old, the wiring could be quite corroded inside the sheathing.
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Thanks very much for the advice, yes i do have a 1993 290 sundancer with single 454. I will try and look into the locker to see if it is pre-wired. I have looked at a number of installs and the most common problem is there is not enough room for the motor to fit under the deck because of the bulkhead between the locker and v-berth. I think the vertical is my best option which puts everything above deck. I am looking at a Lewmar Pro-series to be safe and avoid cutting extra holes.thanks again
upload_2019-12-6_12-46-34.png
 
If you wanted, you could check the Sea Ray model archives and see what windlasses were an option on your boat. That would let you know if a vertical is an option. But, either way, go with what works best for you.
 
PGATOO said:
Thanks very much for the advice, yes i do have a 1993 290 sundancer with single 454. I will try and look into the locker to see if it is pre-wired. I have looked at a number of installs and the most common problem is there is not enough room for the motor to fit under the deck because of the bulkhead between the locker and v-berth. I think the vertical is my best option which puts everything above deck. I am looking at a Lewmar Pro-series to be safe and avoid cutting extra holes.thanks again
View attachment 77582
Click to expand...
I installed the Lewmar ProFish 1000 on my 300 DA a few years ago, best upgrade I think I've made. I installed the wireless remote and use it in place of deck mounted foot switches. No extra holes in deck or things to trip on, it works great.
 
SCORPIO said:
I installed the Lewmar ProFish 1000 on my 300 DA a few years ago, best upgrade I think I've made. I installed the wireless remote and use it in place of deck mounted foot switches. No extra holes in deck or things to trip on, it works great.
Click to expand...
yes, that is the one I was thinking of using. Did you drill new holes or offset it a little and use the existing. The guy i am going to get install it wants to use the existing hole but that will mean it is offset some and the line wont come up straight. Do you foresee any issues with that? or any solutions? Thanks for all your quick replies, this forum is great and will be my go-to for info for my new to mee 93 290 Sundancer!
 
My boat didn't have a windlass so I had to drill for it. I dont like drilling nee holes but it would be best on the centerline. You may need to fill in the old holes and redrill.
 
How offset is it going to be? Maybe we're only talking a small amount that really won't matter.

Otherwise, a simple way to fix this would be to use a piece of Starboard (for example) as an adapter plate - big enough to cover the hawse pipe hole and to mount the new windlass on.
 
Will this windlass work for a 1993 290 sundancer?

Lewmar V700 G 12V 6/7 mm 1/4" Vertical Windlasses

someone mentioned to me that the verticals might not work as the motor will hit the bulkhead in the anchor locker and you need to install the big bulky horizontal to keep the motor above deck. I am not able to measure the exact distance as my boat is in storage but if anyone has run into this issue please let me know your outcome. This one is on sale almost half price LOL
 
I assume that by now you've read up enough on windlasses to know the major +/-. But, where you able to check the available "fall" distance to verify that a vertical will work before putting the boat away? Can you go to the boat where it is in storage?

I couldn't tell you if the vertical will physically fit - that's something you'll want to personally verify.

But, by simply looking at a picture of a 290DA from your era, it doesn't "look" like the anchor locker would be deep enough for a vertical and it's fall.
 
Lazy Daze said:
I assume that by now you've read up enough on windlasses to know the major +/-. But, where you able to check the available "fall" distance to verify that a vertical will work before putting the boat away? Can you go to the boat where it is in storage?

I couldn't tell you if the vertical will physically fit - that's something you'll want to personally verify.

But, by simply looking at a picture of a 290DA from your era, it doesn't "look" like the anchor locker would be deep enough for a vertical and it's fall.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Lazy Daze, I will be going down to the storage barn this weekend to verify a couple of things. I will measure the depth of the locker and report back. Thanks again for all the help.
 
Oh, to answer your question... I used the V700 on my 260DA. But I used a 25lb anchor (similar to what is used on 35-ish foot boat) and 50lbs of chain. I never had an issue with hauling in. To an extent, the windlass doesn't care about the size of that boat... if you're operating the boat correctly. I do think you get what you pay for, but it's hard to pass up the V700 based on it's cost.
 
If you get a new one, I would recommend a windlass that accepts chain as well. My 91'270 w/7.4 B2 always rode bow up and some chain weight would have been nice and the chain helps set the anchor.
 
PGATOO said:
Thanks, Lazy Daze, I will be going down to the storage barn this weekend to verify a couple of things. I will measure the depth of the locker and report back. Thanks again for all the help.
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The depth of the locker is 22 inches. also, I noticed I can see a wiring harness in there but cannot see it fully to see if it has been pre-wired for a windlass. Is there a way to get at the anchor locker from the inside of the boat, IE access behind the install mirror in the V-Birth?
 
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