Currently my Swanson 28 (3.5T) has a windless with 5/16 stainless steel chain and a dsl anchor.
Can I try to attach a electric motor to the windless or should I replace it with a new electric winch?
I have one starting battery and two house batteries.
What would you recommend?
More than likely you will need to replace the winch. Then there is some heavy duty wiring and switchgear required. Budget at least $2 to $3k.
Select to expand quoteBundeenabuoy said..
Currently my Swanson 28 (3.5T) has a windless with 5/16 stainless steel chain and a dsl anchor.
Can I try to attach a electric motor to the windless or should I replace it with a new electric winch?
I have one starting battery and two house batteries.
What would you recommend?
Not sure what a "dsl" anchor is, the chain should be good to go and the windlass I am guessing is a manual. The previous owner put lots of nm"s on the boat with anchoring the norm so I would suggest learning to use what you have for a while and then making decisions re upgrades. This strategy will show where and if any deficiencies lie and enable you to correct them without making costly mistakes, (don't ask how I know 
)
If you feel the need to upgrade the anchor you will need to decide weather you want a shovel type or a plough style, and assess the various offerings.
Cheers, Bob.
I had a manual Muir vertical winch for about 25 years. It did 6 trips to the reef on two different boats. It was a good winch. I still have it.
When we decided to go to Tassie we decided we would go geriatric and get an electric winch. I bought a Maxwell vertical windlass - RC 10.
The winch came with the necessary circuit breakers and switches for the helm. I do not have a foot switch up front. On the cat we have a protected (sort of) pedestal and the winch switch is there and works well. You can buy cheap ($50) wireless remotes used on 4WD winches so that you don't need a foot switch. Or put the switch somewhere protected near the helm.
I love having an electric winch. It has saved me on one occasion in Tassie where the anchor dragged and I raced out to the boat on my own. I was able to get the anchor up whilst helming in the big squall. With the manual I would have been racing back and forth, pulling it in and then running back to get the boat on course. In this case the anchor was raised as I was stopping the boat from hitting the shore and other moored boats. It paid for itself in that one instance in terms of hassle and insurance excess.
One other thing it does is allow me to anchor with impunity. I used to only want to anchor in water less than 10 metres - maybe 12 or 14 metres at a pinch. Last week in Pittwater I anchored in 14 with no qualms just to drop my wife off at Cottage Point - no hassling waiting for the courtesy mooring. If someone is a little noisy I can move with an easy mind and no work.
After 25 years of using the manual and no winch for about ten years before that, an electric anchor winch is a great bit of kit for anyone who wants to go cruising long term. Get one before a radar, a watermaker, a bigger fridge, an extra spinnaker. You can then go slightly heavier on a new anchor and sleep well knowing you can lay out lots of scope and a nice anchor and pull it up in the morning with no worries.
cheers
Phil
One of the best things I did was put in an electric anchor winch . I sail solo a lot . So easy to anchor and move if you need to. I also only use it when the engine is running.
Select to expand quoteBundeenabuoy said..
Currently my Swanson 28 (3.5T) has a windless with 5/16 stainless steel chain and a dsl anchor.
Can I try to attach a electric motor to the windless or should I replace it with a new electric winch?
I have one starting battery and two house batteries.
What would you recommend?
Do you have sufficient room below to fit the necessary motor and gearbox? They take up a bit of space - see www.ebay.com.au/itm/Quick-Anchor-Winch/324037928204 for a typical example.
Select to expand quotesydchris said..Bundeenabuoy said..
Currently my Swanson 28 (3.5T) has a windless with 5/16 stainless steel chain and a dsl anchor.
Can I try to attach a electric motor to the windless or should I replace it with a new electric winch?
I have one starting battery and two house batteries.
What would you recommend?
Do you have sufficient room below to fit the necessary motor and gearbox? They take up a bit of space - see www.ebay.com.au/itm/Quick-Anchor-Winch/324037928204 for a typical example.
That has certainly made me aware.
Thanks.
On a Swanson 28 I think an electric anchor winch is overkill unless most of your cruising is solo.
For Bundeenabuoy. 
Original anchor locker when I bought the boat.
Modified anchor locker.
Muir VMH 500.
If you feel you are not going sailing or not anchoring at a nice spot because you can't be arsed hauling in the anchor by hand, upgrade and upgrade now. It doesn't matter what others deem overkill or not.
I can't comment on the space on a Swanson 28, but I would certainly be writing it up to the house battery rather then the start battery. Even then, I will always have the motor or generator running.
While I agree with your sentiment in your first sentence, I feel your "put down" in your second sentence was blatant and uncalled for.
While it was your comment that caused me to reply, it was in no way meant as a "put down" or personal attack.
You've got thicker skin than that.
