I emailed Albemarle and asked if a windlass was / is an option on the 320
Express and they said that it was and that they used the Maxwell Freedom
500. I looked this up on the web and it seems underpowered and lacks the
capstan. I think I really would like to have that after reading all of your
advice.

Does anyone have any experience with the Maxwell Freedom 500 windlass
though?

Any opinions about putting this model on an Albemarle 320 Express?

TIA!



"Gary" wrote in message
r.com...
Hi everyone.

I'm in the process of purchasing a 32' Albemarle Express. It is loaded
with
lots of goodies, but it seems that the previous owner never installed a
windlass. I'd like to add one soon. I've been looking in the usual
catalogs and on Ebay. I've found lots of them, but to be perfectly
honest,
I've never used one. I have lots of experience on lots of boats, boats,
but
for whatever reason, none of them have ever had a windlass, so I am a bit
unfamiliar with them. I have noticed several things in my reading. There
seem to be at least 2 basic designs...vertical and horizontal. I have
seen
low profile and ones with a capstan. I have also seen a large difference
in
the pulling power of them and an even greater range in price.

I'm kind of curious about the differences. Any advantage of vertical over
horizontal? On the models that say they have a capstan, they look like
they
have whatever the piece is called that grips the rode and winds it up and
then a large spool on top of that. I assume that part is the capstan.
Since it appears that the rode is normally wound under that capstan, what
is
the capstan for? How much pulling power should I look for? The boats
displacement is 17,000 lbs. Lastly, are there any brands that I should
stay
away from or any that I should seek out?

Thanks for all replies!

Gary