Most reliable anchor windlass?
- Thread starter Phatboat
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
martyopp
Member
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- Vessel Name
- "Liberty"
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- 1981 PT-38 Trawler
Lofrans Tigres
I would have to agree with the Lofrans Tigres fans here. So much so that I have a new one on "Liberty" and the older one for sale.
Why replace? Vanity I guess. Our original Lofrans Tigres was less than 20 years old, but it was the white painted version and some of the paint was peeling. Like I said vanity.
So we replaced it with a new hard anodized silver colored one. Same exact model, just new clothes.
The white one which we removed works perfectly and comes with a new control box and two new foot switches.
I can sell it to you (or to another user) for $1,000. It is in Seattle. I'm happy to safely and securely double box it for shipping, though local pickup would of course be preferred. If we ship, I'd prefer to use your UPS or FedEx account (recommend ground service) but we could use our account and add to the charge.
Let me know if I can help someone with a great windlass.
Marty Oppenheimer
"Liberty"
PT-38 Trawler
about 26,000#
I would have to agree with the Lofrans Tigres fans here. So much so that I have a new one on "Liberty" and the older one for sale.
Why replace? Vanity I guess. Our original Lofrans Tigres was less than 20 years old, but it was the white painted version and some of the paint was peeling. Like I said vanity.
So we replaced it with a new hard anodized silver colored one. Same exact model, just new clothes.
The white one which we removed works perfectly and comes with a new control box and two new foot switches.
I can sell it to you (or to another user) for $1,000. It is in Seattle. I'm happy to safely and securely double box it for shipping, though local pickup would of course be preferred. If we ship, I'd prefer to use your UPS or FedEx account (recommend ground service) but we could use our account and add to the charge.
Let me know if I can help someone with a great windlass.
Marty Oppenheimer
"Liberty"
PT-38 Trawler
about 26,000#
Alisske
Senior Member
Thats a good point. I have a manual and as i am approaching 50 years in age, it starting to get old, lmao.
That said, I am sure you are also considering the install costs which could be expensive. (Even just material such as heavy cables etc.....)
Good luck with the project
A
kchace
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I’ve never seen one designed to pull chain. All the off road winch’s I’ve seen are drum only so only however much rode you could fit on the drum which would likely be extremely limited. Plus I highly doubt one would last more than a few years in the salt environment. They do better for mast winches where they are out of most of the salt spray and the drum holds enough to get that job done.
Rosborough 35
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- Dream Catcher
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- 1995 Rosborough RF35 Atlantic Trawler
Another vote for Lofrans Tigres. Thumbs down on Vetus.
Here's another vote for the Lofrans Tigres. I installed the Lofrans Tigres on a 35 foot, 21,000 lb boat. It may be a slight overkill, but it sure works well with 250 feet of chain and my 55# Rocna anchor. I would rank the Lofrans Tigres as an outstanding horizontal windlass. It's on sale right now at binnacle.com for $1,899. I bought mine from binnacle.com 8 years ago and paid $200 more than the current sale price. The link is below.
https://us.binnacle.com/p5536/Lofrans-Tigres-Windlass-12-Volt-DC-1500-Watt/product_info.html
I had to fabricate a custom stainless steel base for the Lofrans Tigres to get it to fit over the old hole into the chain locker, but it was well worth it. I've attached a photo of the installation.
The windlass I replaced was a Vetus that was kaput after ~10 years. The motor failed and I couldn't get a replacement from Vetus. I would not recommend a Vetus windlass.
Here's another vote for the Lofrans Tigres. I installed the Lofrans Tigres on a 35 foot, 21,000 lb boat. It may be a slight overkill, but it sure works well with 250 feet of chain and my 55# Rocna anchor. I would rank the Lofrans Tigres as an outstanding horizontal windlass. It's on sale right now at binnacle.com for $1,899. I bought mine from binnacle.com 8 years ago and paid $200 more than the current sale price. The link is below.
https://us.binnacle.com/p5536/Lofrans-Tigres-Windlass-12-Volt-DC-1500-Watt/product_info.html
I had to fabricate a custom stainless steel base for the Lofrans Tigres to get it to fit over the old hole into the chain locker, but it was well worth it. I've attached a photo of the installation.
The windlass I replaced was a Vetus that was kaput after ~10 years. The motor failed and I couldn't get a replacement from Vetus. I would not recommend a Vetus windlass.
Attachments
BruceK
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Not seen this before. Aussie made:
https://www.roadtechmarine.com.au/l...os=2&queryId=c5729d2f7d094da42aab751bd96ef503
https://www.roadtechmarine.com.au/l...os=2&queryId=c5729d2f7d094da42aab751bd96ef503
Last edited:
kchace
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I’ll add my voice to the Tigress chorus. Ours is 15 years old now and never a hiccup. I went through it this winter and found it just about pristine inside. Very strong, durable and easy to maintain. $1899 is an extremely good price!
Ken
Ken
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Loved our old Plaths! Monster windlasses. First one was 120vac on our 42 GB. Second was a 12vdc on our GB 50. It hauled a 120lb anchor and 350' of 1/2 chain with no problem.
Tator
Tator
Shall I pile on?
My windlass is as old as my boat. Installed in (or before) 1980. Well used by previous owners, who took this boat to AK twice before I got her.
One anchorage that, for me, resulted in a fouled anchor, tested the lifting power of this windlass by bringing to the surface a complete car-hauling trailer, so roughly a ton of dead weight. Twenty years later, the old girl was getting weak so I took the motor in to a shop and had it re-wound, for a new lease on life.
A Lofrans Tigres, of course.
My windlass is as old as my boat. Installed in (or before) 1980. Well used by previous owners, who took this boat to AK twice before I got her.
One anchorage that, for me, resulted in a fouled anchor, tested the lifting power of this windlass by bringing to the surface a complete car-hauling trailer, so roughly a ton of dead weight. Twenty years later, the old girl was getting weak so I took the motor in to a shop and had it re-wound, for a new lease on life.
A Lofrans Tigres, of course.
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Yes I searched the website so now I will ask. What is the most reliable anchor windlass in the $1k range? I have a 36 foot 20K # boat. Thank You.
Post #1 quoted...the OP is looking in the $1000 price range.
FF
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"Whatever hydraulic one that you choose"
Yes,, the hyd does not kill batts, blow fuses and the white smoke never comes out ,when overloaded it simply stops and waits for more hyd pressure or a lower load , no harm done.
I still see boats fitted with IDEAL windlasses , a 1950 and up US made bronze winch that is superb, perhaps you can find a used one.
Yes,, the hyd does not kill batts, blow fuses and the white smoke never comes out ,when overloaded it simply stops and waits for more hyd pressure or a lower load , no harm done.
I still see boats fitted with IDEAL windlasses , a 1950 and up US made bronze winch that is superb, perhaps you can find a used one.
