Man, I can’t tell you how happy I am. I’ve really been stressing the windlass thing. I finally found the one I wanted at the right price ($350.00). The seller also had 265′ of 5/16 BBB chain to go with it for an additional $300. This is exactly the package I wanted, yeeeehaaaaa!
I can’t stress enough how important a good ground tackle system is! Basically it’s a cruisers boats insurance policy. If you’re going to over kill anything, this is a good place to do it. I’m going to install this windlass, chain, and my 60lb plow on the starboard roller. On the port roller I’ll have my old manual windlass, chain, and I’m thinking a big fortress anchor. I also have the 45lb CQR that came with splendid and a good danforth witch I’ll use as a stern hook. If I can afford it before I take off I’d like to buy a 60lb Manson Supreame as my primary hook. If anyone has this anchor, please comment.
I also need to ship the chain from California, and it’s heavy. Does anyone know a good service (cheap) for this? If so, please comment.
Peace everyone.
– Alex
– Alex Dorsey – neo.projectbluesphere.com
If you have a minute, what is your take on this windlass? Niki and I have one on Big Tuna and I had thought of changing it out with a different one.
Why would you change it? Does it work fine?
Finding out you have all those anchors, even I will sleep better!!!!! I have found (through experience) that if you want to sleep on a sailboat ya gotta have a good hook!! Over in St.Augustine there is a place called the Sailors Exchange, it is a surplus/salvage treasure trove of stuff. You need a couple hours or more to wander around in the mountians of parts and pieces. When I get to Florida it is always one of the first placed I head to. Another is Surplus Unlimited in Daytona, They are a little more power boat oriented but still have alot of supplies, parts and lots of stainless, plexiglass sheets and seats and stuff. They have a website too. I found a swim platform from a power boat and mounted it on the back of my Catalina 30 for about 50 bucks and we love it, and get alot of comments on it
Sail on, Dean
Try uship.com for shipping the chain. It’s like ebay for shippers.
Cheers.
sent you some commin caryers cheapest way to go
You might check with Greyhound Bus Service to see if they would ship from CA to FL – I think they will and while it would be slow boat for sure it might end up being reasonable on cost. I’m guessing it won’t fit in a Fed-X box or tube!! K’yO.
Greyhound. Jam it all in a foot locker and send it.
OR, try automobile shippers. Most of the time vehicles are shipped empty and you might be able to find someone who would stick your chain in the trunk. Offer them $100. It doesn’t cost them anything more, and your $100 will cut about 1/6 of their shipping costs for the car/truck. I’ve shipped many items this way. It’s ultra cheap, though you might have to drive to Miami or Orlando to pick it up.
Good luck!
I thunk he mint ( common carriers)
Greyhound. Its slow, but cheap!
I thunk you right
Alex,
Have you been to Nautical Trader in Nokomis? It’s not far from you and they had a bunch of cheap stuff. I didn’t notice the anchor supply, but you can call them and they’ll tell you what they have. http://www.nauticaltrader.net or (941) 488-0766
The part that will kill you with Common Carriers is the Rocky Mountain Tariff. I don’t know if it is still “on the books” but when I had a business in Sarasota it about doubled my freight bills to California. Make sure they quote you an exact amount.
I like the Greyhound Idea.
Todd