Lewmar V700 windlass

[Hayden Watson]

Anybody with personal experience with a Lewmar V700 windlass. I am thinking about using one for my C30 to handle my anchor retrieval.

C30 with approx. displacement of 15,000lbs
Mantus 35lbs with Mantus S1 swivel
150' of 1/4" G43 or BBB chain
1/2"ø three strand nylon rode.

 

[jssailem]

Comparing the V3 and the V700. Ignoring the price difference. I liked the specs on the V3. Quick retrieve. Plenty of power should you need it. Solo sailing safety factor was a consideration.

Specifications Lewmar V3

Motor Power (W)	Max Pull (kg)	Working Load (kg)	Max Line Speed (m/min)	Normal Current Draw (A)	Circuit Breaker (A)	Approx Weight (kg)
1000	1020	243	30	60	90	24.5

 

[Hayden Watson]

Thanks John.

I had not found the specs on the V700 and silly me, I thought the 700 was watts. 320w is pretty puny. my current windlass is a maxwell 500 which i believe is a 600w motor with a max pull of 500lbs. It still works fine after 36-years of service but only has a rope capstan so it cannot pull chain. There is a reason that the V3 costs 3x the V700.

 

[Hayden Watson]

I was just reading the west marine guide for "choosing a windlass". In there, they indicated that the max lift capacity should be 4x the weight of the gear. If I have 150' of 1/4" chain at 0.75lb/ft (113lb) + 35lv anchor, that would be a full gear dead lift of 149lb. The V700 has a working limit of 175lb so according to them, it should work. I do not use the windlass to pull the anchor out of the bottom and with a chain gypsy, that would continue. I can motor up onto the anchor as I am using the remote button to retrieve the chain. Once I am over my pin, I stop pulling with the windlass and let the momentum of the boat overriding the vertical chain pull the hook out of the bottom. That is how I do it now, but I need to hand pull the chain as my wife motors up and then when I get over the hook, I take a turn on a big cleat on deck.

 

[heritage]

I have had the V700 for a couple of years. Plenty of power for my size boat and rode. Never had it bog down even with the anchor stuck in mud. What I don't like about it is I wish the retrieval speed was a little slower. As the anchor touches the anchor roller the windlass will jerk it over too fast for my comfort.

 

[jssailem]

There is a reason that the V3 costs 3x the V700.

That was my conclusion.

You should use the boat to move to the anchor not drag it to the anchor with the windlass. But when the anchor breaks free of the mud, it’s nice to have the power, quickly get it up on the boat.

 

[Hayden Watson]

That was my conclusion.

You should use the boat to move to the anchor not drag it to the anchor with the windlass. But when the anchor breaks free of the mud, it’s nice to have the power, quickly get it up on the boat.

I agree, I am just not sure if it needs 3x the power of the V700. Given that my gear would weigh 150lb, the V700 has a 4.7x overstrength. Not sure why I would need to have 15x overstrength.

 

[Hayden Watson]

I have had the V700 for a couple of years. Plenty of power for my size boat and rode. Never had it bog down even with the anchor stuck in mud. What I don't like about it is I wish the retrieval speed was a little slower. As the anchor touches the anchor roller the windlass will jerk it over too fast for my comfort.

What anchor and how long of a chain do you use?

 

[heritage]

It:s a Rocna 10kg with 40' of 1/4" chain.

 

[Hayden Watson]

It:s a Rocna 10kg with 40' of 1/4" chain.

Thanks. That is about 1/3 the weight of my gear with a 35lb Mantus (15.8kg) and 150t of 1/4".

Food for thought.

 

[Hayden Watson]

I see that Lewmar has a newer model line VX series. Anyone have any experience with them? I am seeing a 500w for 8mm or 5/16 chain for about $1000.