Anchor Windlass

[buckeyesailor]

This may have come up before but I didn't see it......

In the ads there is an Anchor Windlass advertised for just over $500....regular $1900+.....

Does anyone have any handson experience with this product?
even if I didn't need one, that's a pretty handsome discount....

advice please?

[mitiempo]

Which ad?
I'd be concerned with 2 things at that huge discount. First the product itself and its reputation and second the vendor's reliability as such a discount is rare unless it's a bankruptcy sale.

[sailingdog]

It could be a discontinued model...

[Tanley]

Here's the product:

LEWMAR ANCHOR WINDLASS: ELECTRIC, CONCEPT 1, GYPSY ONLY, 5/16" chain, 9/16" rope Shop.Sailnet.com - sailing resources, shopping, sail, blogs

With one review:

Marine.com

[mitiempo]

It looks like an older version of this one Lewmar V700G Vertical Windlass - Windlasses
at a bit lower price. The new version in the link is all stainless and the one on sailnet is not all stainless.

[funjohnson]

I bought one... based on a quick look of the parts, it's one heck of a deal. I spoke to a Lewmar rep and was told the actual working load should be closer to 350 lbs.

It's a 700 watt motor vs 500 for the new v700.

[btrayfors]

The Concept 1 is the smallest of a trio of Lewmar Concept windlasses. All of these were built with a grey base. It is the same as the Ocean series which was all s/s, including the base.

I have the Concept 2 (now discontinued, I think). It has been flawless for many years and does a great job on my 42' 28,000lb displacement sloop. Easily handles my 45lb CQR and 250' of 3/8" HT chain. Had a 60-lb plow for awhile in the islands...no problem.

Very good build quality. The Concept 1 is for smaller boats, though.

For all boats and windlasses: the windlass is just to lower and pull up the anchor, NOT for breaking it loose, holding the boat at anchor, pulling the boat up to the anchor in a strong wind, etc. If you use it properly, you can get by with any windlass capable of handling the weight of your anchor and rode.

For snugging at anchor, use a chain stopper (Lewmar makes a really nice one for about $120 at WM or Defender). Also, of course, use one or two nylon bridles and chain hooks whenever there's significant wind.

Bottom line: for a smaller boat, i.e., under 38-40' or so, the Concept 1 should be fine, and at this price its a very good buy. Especially considering that I paid $2,670 for my Concept 2 some 13 years ago and it was on sale then!

IMHO,

Bill