Opinions on windlass

[Bluemansailor]

Am thinking of upgrading from my manual Lofrans windlass to an electric. Boat is a 34 foot sailboat, have a 33lb original Bruce with 150 chain and 100 rope, getting older and back is not what it used to be; boats displaces 14000lbs.

Not wealthy so the nice high end windlass are out, have been looking at the Lewmar Pro-fish http://www.lewmar.com/products.asp?i...=110&channel=1, mainly because I have to have a horizontal model due to deck and bowsprit configuration and I want a windlass that allows freefall.

So am looking on opinions on windlasses and especially the Lewmar model, does anyone use or have first hand info about this model. Not totally sold on it yet.
Thanks and am not looking for a debate about manual verses electric.. thanks again for the comments.

[sck5]

Not sure about the Lewmar but I have a boat and anchor similar in size to you and love the Lofrans 1000. Costs more though, but worth it in the end.

[BozSail]

BlueManSailor... I'm also considering the Lewmar 1000FF horizontal windlass. My boat is 37 ft. and 18,000 lbs. I have a 45 lb. Mantus anchor and am also considering a rode made up of 30' of chain and 270' of rope - 5/16" G4 HT chain and 5/8" rope (8-plait), as that is what the Lewmar windlass takes. The best price I found for the Lewmar windlass so far is $842 at StarMarineDepot.com. (West Marine's price on the windlass is $1,059) The above rode combination is available at Defender.com for $350.

I would also appreciate comments from anyone who has used the Lewmar 1000FF windlass on a similar sized boat.

[sailing_jack]

BlueManSailor... if you make the switch, I may be interested in your manual windlass.

Let me know.

Thanks

[Bluemansailor]

Sailing Jack- OK I'll let you know.

[Vasco]

My B393 came with a Lewmar Horizon Express which I think is the predecessor of the Lewmar you're looking at. When I first saw it I thought it was a POS suitable only for the bow of a small power boat. However I have been pleasantly surprised.

I have used it extensively over the eight years I've had it, six months cruising in the Bahamas every year, anchoring all the time. It has worked really well, 3/8 BBB chain, 45# Manson Supreme. Last season I replaced the motor, the brushes were shot and I could not find replacement brushes for the Scottish electric motor. I can't say enough of how good this crappy looking windlass is and at half the price of anything else. Get one.

[US1Fountain]

I have the Pro Series windlass. Same windlass as the Pro Fish with exception of the automatic free fall.

Have never had any problems with it. Would buy another one w/o hesitation.