Quick Prince DP2 windlass

[Vezo, Part II]

Anyone familiar with this unit and it's possible application on a 1977 Seafari 20?
I have an opportunity to pick up a used one for $400. Appears to be a grand new, similar to a Lewmar, but so much more of the unit below deck. Thoughts?

Thanks in Advance.

Vezo

[TomParis]

I have a friend who used one on a rental boat in the Caymans, he swore by and said it was awesome!

[Vezo, Part II]

Thanks Tom. Encouraging.

[Terry England]

Mike, Don't clutter the bow of that pretty little Powder Blue SeaFari up with a bunch of stuff you don't need. It ain't a Parker barge! Your'er not going to be fishing over 50' deep - get a plow or wishbone anchor on a swivel and an anchor ball. Throw it out in the morning, drag it around behind you all day and pick it up at night. Lots of rock piles off of Hernando, Bud. Martin, Kmoose and I don't cott'in to no wash down pumps or anchor winches! Don't clutter your life up with sh!t to fix - go fish'in instead.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Terry England

Mike, Don't clutter the bow of that pretty little Powder Blue SeaFari up with a bunch of stuff you don't need. It ain't a Parker barge! Your'er not going to be fishing over 50' deep - get a plow or wishbone anchor on a swivel and an anchor ball. Throw it out in the morning, drag it around behind you all day and pick it up at night. Lots of rock piles off of Hernando, Bud. Martin, Kmoose and I don't cott'in to no wash down pumps or anchor winches! Don't clutter your life up with sh!t to fix - go fish'in instead.

Terry is spot on with this. There is always an attraction to add nice options on the cheap but even if it is free there is a cost. I am certainly not one to preach against gadgets and gizmos with buttons and lights but over the years I have discovered exactly what Terry is stating. Anything you hook to the battery is something else to maintain and repair. That said, it better be worth the effort and provide comparable reliability as manual options. That is a rare attribute for many things on a boat that run on dc power.

If you had a 35' cabin cruiser a windless may be a viable option to pull a heavy hook and rode if you didn't want to interrupt martini time with some lady friends on the back deck but for our boats a good small Fortress with 15' of stainless chain, small anchor ball and a milk crate borrowed from the back of a grocery store will serve you well for all your anchoring needs in a much quicker and maintenance free package. Save the money for a good gps plotter and sounder. Terry and I will make sure you have plenty of spots to put on it.

[Vezo, Part II]

Ok, well said. So if fishing alone a good bit, or with not so careful novices, send them below and up through the hatch, is a sufficient solution? I agree, I'm not on my buddies Parker pilot house.

Thanks.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Ok, well said. So if fishing alone a good bit, or with not so careful novices, send them below and up through the hatch, is a sufficient solution? I agree, I'm not on my buddies Parker pilot house.

Thanks.

Let me know when you want to come over for day on the water or when you are taking your sled out and I will run through the motions on handling this yourself with ease. The thinking is a little out of the box but once you see it done you will never have to go to the bow to set and pull your anchor again.

[Vezo, Part II]

Freaking cool! Thanks Moose, will take you up on that for sure! Currently there is No opening in deck to anchor locker. Only from inside cuddly thru hatch. And no bow rail.

[Handful in NC]

It is so refreshing to participate in a forum where people have some common sense and are so willing to help others.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Freaking cool! Thanks Moose, will take you up on that for sure! Currently there is No opening in deck to anchor locker. Only from inside cuddly thru hatch. And no bow rail.

We can fix that too but I don't think you need it. As long as you have a cleat and rode guide you will be good to go. Here is a link to the anchor I use. Very light and excellent holding in sand. Claws and deltas work ok but I find them all the time as they drag until they hit the reef and often get stuck. For Anchoring on small rock piles these types of hooks do great as you anchor in the sand and drift back to the rockpile. Many will argue which is the best but I really like this style and so do several of my commercial friends if that says anything.
http://fortressanchors.com/selection...h=17&Unit=Feet

The Fortress and Guardian are basically the same anchor with one that is anodized and a lot more money. Pick what ever one you like. Their selection chart says the G7 will work on your sled but you could go up one size if you like but I don't think it is necessary. Don't forget the 15' of 3/16 stainless chain (yes, it works better than galvanized). Also, get at least 200' of 3/8 nylon rope. I can help you back splice the ends.