[shanef]

I have a 2001 238 and I seen the z model came with a electric anchor. Anyone know anything about what would work in there?

[csterner]

Aawww, the windlass. When we had our cruiser before, I would always envy the other cruisers coming in and pushing a button to drop the bow anchor. They are expensive but well worth it I think if you do a fair amount of anchoring. Would this be a complete retro fit? Or do you have the space in your chain locker for everything?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[shanef]

Should have plenty of space

[luke7575]

This is a good question im thinking of putting one in my Z302 and would love to know if anyone has tried this

[ShabahZ280]

I can honestly say I've never seen a windlass on any other Mariahs than the Z260/268/280/308 Cruisers.

Seems to me one of the 260/280 MCC guys who didn't have one tried to do something, but I don't think he ever went through with it. My Z280's got one, and it has a fiberglass platform it sits on inside the anchor compartment, so you'll have to figure out a way to make a platform and mold it into your hull somehow for stability. You'll also have to do something which many of us are incredibly afraid of, which involves cutting out over a 8 inch section of the center of the hull for the anchor to travel through... Not to mention, have you priced a windlass? They start at about $800. That also doesn't include the plow anchor, mounting plate, rope & chain rode, and additional electrical cables. Also, for a Z302 installation, you most likely won't be able to get it loaded onto the trailer because of the drastically reduced hull approach angle so low to the water. I even have trouble with mine, and I only trailer it twice a year.

My suggestion? If it's worth about $2k to you, buy one. If not, use an anchor the old fashioned way and put it on your list of "must haves" for your next boat! Yes, it's a nice convenience, but I still find myself traveling forward to pull the anchor line occasionally, clear the jams (yes it will jam), and to guide the anchor into the mount correctly. It has a tendency to come up upside down often.