Anchor Winches
I know there are a couple of posts on this topic already but they are a few years old and perhaps now outdated.
Im in the market for a winch, thinking more so drum for my 6.6 trailcraft trailblazer as im sick of pulling the anchor everyday and it limits our fishing. There are so many options out theres which has made it bloody confusing. Free fall, fast fall, power up/down. Then theres the brands who all claim to be better than each other in some way or another.
I did look at the lewmar windlass but im not sure if the trailcraft well is deep enough plus id have to get a plate welded for it to sit on.
I know stressfree is a top unit, but it is also the most expensive especially if going for the freefall.
Lone star has caught my eye as they seem to be reasonably priced, widely used, have a perth dealer and a new model has just come out.
Then theres micks winch, sav winch, muir, tuff winch, wolf winch and more.
What do you guys have on your boats? Did you self install? What were the costs, is free fall a must? and how is the winch going now?
makai
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 28/10/08
Recent post
There was a post in the last few days to a week from someone also seeking advice about anchor winch for a trailcraft similar to yours. I have not been able to find it using the search function, but if you scroll through the "recent content" section you should be able to find it.
merdel12
Posts: 306
Date Joined: 19/07/12
Thanks makai just had a look
Thanks makai just had a look however its not quite what im after. Just looking at the hard facts such as what ya got and hows it going sorts thing
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1018
Date Joined: 15/08/11
I HAVE THE STRESS FREE ANCHOR
I HAVE THE STRESS FREE ANCHOR WINCH ON MY BCRUSHER
LOTS OF POSITIVES AND ONLY TWO NEGATIVES :-
1. I RUN DUAL BATTERIES AND KEEP WELL CHARGED, BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY NOTICE THE PULL OF AMPS ON THE SYSTEM WHEN RETRIEVING
2. NO FREE FALL, JUST POWER DOWN
OTHER THAN THAT, A DAMN GOOD, SIMPLE SYSTEM
sunshine
Posts: 2555
Date Joined: 03/03/09
New lewmar on a 6.8
Power down, always retrieve with the motor running, yes had a plate welded over the top of the existing anchor well (Extreme in Fremantle - brilliant job and didn't even scorch the existing paintwork ) fitted for same reason, getting too old and like to use a large sarca making hand retrieve an absolute pain particularly dangerous when night fishing by myself
Cannot speak more highly of it so far and it looks really neat
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
Micks Winch is well known and
Micks Winch is well known and very well regarded here in SA. All quality parts and motors. His backup service is second to none.
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
hobbo
Posts: 17
Date Joined: 21/07/11
got the stressfree freefall
got the stressfree freefall had 4 yrs now
no complaints .Fit it myself no problems.
Put a 12mm support plate on ali boat to take winch.
Just make sure its centred when fitting
tiimmbo
Posts: 694
Date Joined: 16/08/09
I have one of the lonestar
I have one of the lonestar winches on my 5.4 glass boat and love it. Best thing I ever put in my boat, plenty of power and has been trouble free for the last couple of years I have had it. I got them to do a custom wiring loom and installation was simple. If I ever get another boat that doesn't have an anchor winch I will be getting another lonestar if it fits.