Quick Anchor windlass

[Marcvet]

I am looking at various options for an electric windlass to install on my Lord Nelson 35. Space on deck is an issue and I don't want to fabricate a new base plate if I don't have to. I've looked at Muir, Lofrans, and Lewmar. Recently I saw a Quick Windlass, made in Italy (like Lofrans) and seemingly very substantial. Cost is about $300 less than a Lofrans tigres. Has anyone had any experience with this particular brand?
Thanks,
Marcvet
s/v Gantman

[TejasSailer]

We have a Quick Hector 1000/DB horizontal windlass on our Beneteau First 36.7 and are quite satisfied. We were also limited in space in the anchor locker for mounting a windlass, and although Beneteau in the US did not supply our boat model with a windlass, the Hector was sold by Beneteau in UK for that model. FYI, as of this year Beneteau US seems to have switched from Lewmar to Quick windlasses for the entire line.

The only drawback I can think of is that Quick does not recommend braided line for a rope-chain rode, and we have to tail three-strand line during retrieval until chain gets on the gypsy. Had I thought to mount a vertical windlass on an angle for the fair lead, I probably would have gotten a Quick vertical windlass.

If you would like to discuss more detail, send me an email, and we could talk on the phone.

[svHyLyte]

FYI Quick also makes very effective hand held controllers and a wireless hand held controller that we have been using aboard our boat for the last 4 years that allows us to launch and retrieve our anchor from anywhere on the boat.

FWIW...

[killarney_sailor]

I have a Quick Antares windlass that I installed in St Martin last spring. Brought the boat to Florida for the summer and came back to get the boat ready for launch only to find that the solenoid had croaked. I took the solenoid apart and found that one of the tiny springs that it relies on had completely disintegrated from corrosion. (For background), the solenoid is mounted high on the bulkhead where the chain comes into the boat but is well away from any salt water, although the environment would be damp - it is a boat after all, and the solenoid was used for less than 3 months.).

Anyway, I thought this would be covered by the 3 year warranty. I contacted the US office of Quick and was told that this was 'damage' whatever that means and not covered by the warranty. To add insult to injury, the Antares now comes with a new solenoid, that they advertise strongly as being waterproof - so they know perfectly well that the one that they had before was a problem.

The windlass itself seems very good and the price was right, but with customer service like this I would suggest you look elsewhere. BTW, Quick also produces Lofrans and I have been told that the Lofrans brand may disappear and the units will become Quick.

[MJBrown]

I have a Quick Antares 1000W on our Beneteau 43 and am very happy with it. After two years no issues. Hauls the 35lb Delta and 65' of chain with no problems.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by killarney_sailor

I have a Quick Antares windlass that I installed in St Martin last spring. Brought the boat to Florida for the summer and came back to get the boat ready for launch only to find that the solenoid had croaked. I took the solenoid apart and found that one of the tiny springs that it relies on had completely disintegrated from corrosion. (For background), the solenoid is mounted high on the bulkhead where the chain comes into the boat but is well away from any salt water, although the environment would be damp - it is a boat after all, and the solenoid was used for less than 3 months.).

There is no reason to mount the solinoid in the chain locker and doing so, in my view, would ensure that eventually the device will be compromised.

On our boat our Solinoid is installed on the interior face of the bulkhead between the chain locker and the forward cabin:



The cables to the windlass itself pass through the bulkhead with water-tight junctions:









(In service, the drive motor shown above is under an enclosure to protect the drive from sea-water et al.)

FWIW...