Windlass

[Gerry Zagorski]

If all goes well with the survey and sea trial we will have a 28 foot Carolina Classic in the slip this spring. Only thing missing on this boat is a windlass so I am doing some research on them.

I hear good things about Good Windlasses and the company is right here in NJ.... Seems they are one of the few that have a few features that really interest me.
- Free fall so you don't have to motor the anchor down with the windlass motor the weight of the anchor makes it free fall... I know of some others that have this feature as well.
- Seems Good is one of the few that can truely be operated with out having to go up on the bow... No need for cleating your anchor rope off once the anchor is set and or to cleat it off when the anchor is in the pulpit. The windlass itself keeps the anchor tight. Not sure there are others that do this.

My buddy Bill has one and he loves it. I fish with him all the time and the only trouble he ever has is sometimes the anchor will not lauch because the rope is tangled in the anchor locker.

Any comments or suggestions here?

Also wondering if this is a install that some hack mechanics like me and brother Joe can tackle or should we hire a proffessional.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Sea Bear]

Good Windlass is GREAT

I'm told that only they will do the custom install themselves with every purchase.

I'm in the process right now of convincing my buddy that a Good Windlass is a MUST HAVE next season for his new (to him) 38' Bert.
It's a no brainer if you are planning on doing any semi-serious bottom fishing.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Update.... Spoke to Tom at Good... Nice to be able to speak directly to the owner of the company. He was very helpful and is sending me some pricing to include installation which he and his crew will do... Turns out he has installed them before on 28 Carolina's and there are a few install tricks that are specific to this boat so I will probably go with them and let them do the install...

A few people have questioned if it wise not to cleat the anchor line down while at anchor and or when the anchor is in the roller and you are underway since it can slip out and or put undue strain on the windlass. Tom assured me that this is not the case with the Good and they are specifically designed so you don't have to cleat it... A big plus in my book since I'm pretty clumsy and don't like going up to the bow in pitching seas.

[SaltLife1980]

Same set up we have on our boat,.. worKS great

[LeftyReeler]

Sounds good Gerry just let me know when I should be
ready for the maiden Voyage...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Will let you know Ron.... We will probably close on it in mid Feb. After sea trial going to leave it in the yard it's at right now and re winterize it. We will do all the work down there come mid March and get her ready to launch... Drop her in and run her up to Leonardo and put her right in the slip.

Getting excited.... Hope everthing works out with the survey and sea trial.

[Capt. Lou]

I had a Lewmar system on one of my boats no issues, instsalled @ factory. If Good is local Definitely go with them , I hear nothing but solid reports about their system!
Good luck with boat !!

[JayO]

Gerry,

Best of luck! You are going to love stepping up to the 28 CC. Does the boat have outdrives or direct inboards?

I met the owner Tom of Good and asked that same question about using a cleat at the AC show last year. Really nice guy. I have not had any issues with tangling. Maybe it's a space issue for your buddy or other gear is getting in the way of the line..???...

-Jay

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks Lou.

Jay, the boat has inboards.... My prior Carolina had a jackshaft and they certainly have had their share of issues. This probably why you see a lot of Jackshaft boats on the market selling for way less then their inboard peers.

Good automatic windlass is really good company and product got it on my boat and one time when I needed a part fixed I went to there shop in barnegat it was fixed while I waited, really good people to work with.