I installed the Lewmar Profish two years ago. I got a full summer of use out of it last summer. I boat camped for 3 weeks up in North Coast and used it minimum 3 times a day (I have a dog so lots of beach runs). If you research Lewmar, some give it a bad rap. So far, it’s been reliable but there are certain “best practices” you have to use.
No. 1: The obvious one——NEVER use the windlass as a anchor rode cleat, whether you’re using all chain or using a combo chain + nylon rode. Either buy a snubber or make your own. MY recommendation: get a Mantus snubber....well made, attaches to the rode and comes off the rode lickety-split. Combine it with a few meters of bridle and then you can throw in some bridle scope without using the windlass.
No. 2: Invest in 8-brait rode, the diameter according to your boat length/weight etc. Brait reduces line twist and handles well in small anchor locker spaces. It’s a bit more slippery then the three twisted strands you see in the picture of the snubbed-rode below—-if you’re using brait and need to snub it off, just do an extra loop when you tie the Prussic knot that Mantus recommends
No. 3: I’d bet money that some of the guys who bad-mouth their Lewmars never did the annual maintenance.
I just took mine apart yesterday and lubed all the moving pieces with Lewmar lube. It took me all of 30 minutes
View attachment 52099 View attachment 52100