Windlass - whats different about the pontoon version?

[lrlima]

Looking at adding a windlass as im getting closer to taking a splash each time i crawl up the cuddy to the bow anchor locker. Saw the link below and looked like a good option / price. But im curious about what the difference is in a pontoon windlass vs the others....is it due to mounting options or the amount of weight it will hold? This one will pull a 50lb anchor, which is within range of my current Danforth anchor. boat is a 23 foot cuddy...

http://www.amazon.com/Powerwinch-Deck-Mate-Anchor-Winch/dp/B001PGWYOS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[rbh]

Re: Windlass - whats different about the pontoon version?

When you talk windless motors, I have always found that there are two to deal with.
Those that do chain and rode and those that only do rode.
I do not have one (wish I did ) but others that do should chime in and give thier opinion's.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Windlass - whats different about the pontoon version?

pontoon windlass generally have some metal structure that lets the lift point hang out over the edge some. With a regular bow you don't need that extra room since the slope of the hull gives it to you.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Windlass - whats different about the pontoon version?

pontoons (generally anyhow) don't use windlasses and the link you posted is not for a windlass.... that is an anchor winch. It rolls a small diameter line onto a drum and is fairly well suited to a light boat like a toon or bassboat but the line is easily broken by a bigger boat and it often lacks the power to pull a large anchor free if fouled on the bottom. A windlass generally handles larger rope (1/2" and bigger) and there are two styles... a standard windlass is only a pulley that you wrap the rope around and pull lightly to keep tension. You must then stow the rope by hand. The other style is a self tailing windlass which pulls in the rope and automatically feeds it through the deck into the rope locker.

A little side note that most folks don't know.... the windlass is not designed for the shock loads of holding the boat at anchor.... You should still secure the anchor line to a cleat or stopper after deploying and secure the anchor after retrieval