Anchor Drum Recommendations

[True North]

Need some feedback on best drum style anchor winch.  So far seems like Lonestar or Universal Free Fall may make the best products.  Application would be 10m vessel frequently anchoring in up to 40 fathoms.  Quality and longevity more important than cost.  Liked Lonestar Elite, but concerned about anchor line not stacking smoothly on pull.  Universal seems like they might have it figured out.  Any guidance would be well appreciated.  Anyone have or used either?

[aussie123]

Have a look at the  Viper Pro Series 1500 Drum Anchor Winches.

These are a terrific winch, very strong and robust

[True North]

I'll take a look.  I'm guessing you have, or have used one.  Any problems with how the anchor line lays on the retrieve from deep water?

[aussie123]

No winch brand will wind on evenly all the time unless there is a level wind setup built into the winch.

Manufacturers will show nice pictures and videos of new setups with perfectly wound on ropes but sooner or later out in the real world, the rope will bulk up more in the center of the drum.

This is why all manufacturers do not sell rope kits that fill the drum to the top, they must allow a certain amount of room for the rope when it does bulk up in the center of the drum.

I have fitted, used and sold the Viper winches and they are a great winch and probably the best value winch kit out there.

 

[rayke1938]

+1 for Aussie 123's recommendation top bloke and best prices.

Cheers

Ray

[True North]

Thanks for the feedback so far.  I did get a message back from a distributor of Universal Free Fall who said that he has one on his own Markham cat and it lays the line well on the drum with the proprietary guide and roller.  Mentioned that others he knows with guideless drums do run into problems with buildup and occasionally knotting.