Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

[Flowconpc]

Hi all , my question is this , I notice that my helm panel has a switch that says
anchor , down or up. Does this mean that this boat has an anchor , or just a
panel connection to add one to my boat ? I have a 1983 Skeeter Starfire 115 with a 1983 Mercury 115 Two stroke outboard on it. I am new to boats and also to this forum . I know that I may be asking some silly questions , so please forgive me.



I also would like to know where the physical locations of both my bilge pump and live well aerator are located on this boat so that I can check them to see if they require any kind of cleaning before the spring .


My last questions has to do with the bow wiring for my remote aerator , trim, lights and lighter , they have not been connected but the trolling motor has been , however the wiring harness is there and all colored wires are plugged into the panel wiring harness . So , where do I make the connection of these wires at the other end of the boat ? Will I have to fish them through somehow , or is it something much simpler ?



Thanks again for your help in advance.

 

[arks]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

OK I'll give it a try....

I notice that my helm panel has a switch that says
anchor , down or up. Does this mean that this boat has an anchor , or just a
panel connection to add one to my boat ?

Most boats have an anchor but they don't normally use electricity. You probably have just the switch. Look at the bow (front) of the boat and see if there's an anchor hanging from a 'box' with a line going into it. If so, then you have an 'anchor windlass', which electrically raises and lowers the anchor. I've rarely seen one of these on a bass boat.

I also would like to know where the physical locations of both my bilge pump and live well aerator are located on this boat so that I can check them to see if they require any kind of cleaning before the spring .

The bilge pump will be near the stern (rear) of the boat all the way at the bottom of the hull near the centerline. It will have 2 or 3 wires going into it, and possibly a separate 'float' switch (but not always).
The aerator is usually located next to or inside the livewell. It pumps air into the water that's supposed to be in there when you're fishing. If you don't see it, follow the plastic tube from the livewell.

My last questions has to do with the bow wiring for my remote aerator , trim, lights and lighter , they have not been connected but the trolling motor has been , however the wiring harness is there and all colored wires are plugged into the panel wiring harness . So , where do I make the connection of these wires at the other end of the boat ? Will I have to fish them through somehow , or is it something much simpler ?

Can't help you with this one- too many variables, and I'm not familiar with those particular boats

 

[TexMojo]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

Could the anchor switch be your navigation light switch? I think it would be hard to miss an anchor attached to a windlass.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

Does anything happen when you flip the switch?

Like arks wrote, look for the where the anchor line connects to the boat. Is it attached to a winch or motor? What did the previous owner tell you about the various items?

Maybe post a few pictures to help us help you.

My boats does not have an electric anchor winch, but it has a switch on the panel that says "anchor" and "running", which are for different light on the bots.

 

[Don S]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

Why don't you just take your boat to a qualified boat dealer, spend a few bucks and have them explain what you actually have on the boat, how it works, and answer some of your questions. Things like a windlass (Electric anchor winch) are very notciable if you know what they are.
Being an 83, who knows what previous owners have installed and removed on a 25 year old boat.

 

[Flowconpc]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

Why don't you just take your boat to a qualified boat dealer, spend a few bucks and have them explain what you actually have on the boat, how it works, and answer some of your questions. Things like a windlass (Electric anchor winch) are very notciable if you know what they are.
Being an 83, who knows what previous owners have installed and removed on a 25 year old boat.

Thanks Don

It obviously does not have an anchor , I will take your advice and take it to a qualified boat dealer .


Thanks all for your help.

 

[ScarabSprint]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

Yeah what don said!!!!! wow

 

[ziggy]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

I am new to boats and also to this forum

since your new to boating, ya may wanna consider taking a boater safety class. the us power squadron and uscg aux. are two very good places to learn about your boat and how to boat. you also get to meet other boaters that can be of help too...
another good resource is Chapmans seamanship and boat handling. it's a real fat book with answers to more questions than you can think of asking regarding boating. maybe check it out at your local library....

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

In case it hasn't been said..
Welcome Aboard!!
There is a lot to learn and everybody starts somewhere..
Nobody was born holding a wheel in one hand and the other on the controls.

As mentioned, take a course, may want to include your spouse or sig other as well..

Good luck and be safe out there..

 

[Flowconpc]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

since your new to boating, ya may wanna consider taking a boater safety class. the us power squadron and uscg aux. are two very good places to learn about your boat and how to boat. you also get to meet other boaters that can be of help too...
another good resource is Chapmans seamanship and boat handling. it's a real fat book with answers to more questions than you can think of asking regarding boating. maybe check it out at your local library....

Thanks all , I have already registered for a boating safety course that will take place in March , 2010 , It will be put on by the U.S. Coast guard . I am looking forward to it. I have already learned a lot about the functionality of my boat by reading lots of information online , but their is nothing like getting help from this forum and reading questions and answers to those questions.

Thanks again

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

Welcome to iboats flowcon

That boater's safety course will help you get familiarized with all the rules and regs, this site will provide much good info as well.

Sounds like a light switch to me too, manually dropping an anchor and retrieving isn't a big deal(10-15lbs).

Post some pictures if you can and you will get some more answers about the livewell, folks here like to help out

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

to follow up on Don's usggestion--you probably need to have your motor checked out. If your seller used a reputable mechanic, go back to him and pay him for a check-up--perhaps to winterize if you won't be using it, or a "pre-season" if you are. You know you can't let boat gas sit for 60 days so you're going to need to deal with that, too. Paying a professional at the beginning of your relationship will pay back down the road. Dont' start off sucknig frre advice off of him--that;s what we're here for!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

I'm willing to bet the "anchor" switch is for the rear anchor light. You have to put the light in the rear socket for the switch to operate. The boat may have a separate switch for the NAV lights (red/green for the bow). Most of the time it is a 3-position switch with NAV on one side, and anchor on the other. This allows you to run just the rear for remaining stationary at night, or running front/rear at the same time while in motion at night.

I would suggest you find a boater's safety coarse, or at least a knowledgable friend to show you around and explain things to you.

Good Luck!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

ok I can't stand it any more..... the switch is labeled anchor up and down..... it is NOT intended as a light switch..... who knows what it is hooked up to now but light switches are labeled anchor off and running or similar. He'll find out what he has when he takes the class and talks with the dealer

 

[grego]

Re: Does my boat have an electric anchor ?

anchor light.