Powerwinch Deck Mate 25 User Manual

Operating Instructions and Replacement Parts List Deckmate 25 Freefall Pontoon Windlass

Please read and save these instructions. Read carefully before attempting to assemble, install, operate or
maintain the product described. Protect yourself and others by observing all safety information. Failure to
comply with instructions could result in personal injury and/or property damage! Retain instructions for
future reference.

Deckmate 25 Free Fall

PontoonWindlass

Featuring patented

“free fall release

system” & over-

sized davit roller for

smooth hands free

operation

Description

The Deckmate 25 Free Fall Pontoon Windlass assists in the launching and retrieving of a “mushroom” or
“river” style anchor typically used on pontoon boats. This windlass has the capacity to lift up to a fi fty pound
anchor and the patented free fall feature gives it the ability to drop and set the anchor in a fraction of the time
that it takes a traditional power down windlass. The built in light assists retrieving anchors and launching or
retrieving the boat at night.

Unpacking

When unpacking, inspect carefully for any damage that may have occurred during transit. Make sure any loose
fi ttings, bolts, etc.., are tightened before putting unit into service.

General Safety Information

Throughout this manual potential safety hazards will be noted with the following terms. Please read and
understand these terms before operating the product.

Danger means a hazard that
will cause death or serious in­jury if the warning is ignored.

© 2006 Powerwinch

Warning means a hazard that

cause death or serious

could
injury if the warning is ignored.

Caution means a hazard that
may cause minor or moderate
injury if the warning is ignored.
It also may mean a hazard that
will only cause damage to prop­erty

P4405401AV 12/06

Operating Instructions and Replacement Parts List Deckmate 25 Freefall Pontoon Windlass

Rope breakage and
whiplash hazard.

1. Never stand between the load point and the

winch. If the rope breaks it could snap back with
enough force to cause severe injury or death.

2. The winch is shipped with a closed loop
anchor roller. If the included anchor roller is
ever replaced it must be replaced by a closed loop
anchor roller. The closed loop anchor roller will
prevent the anchor line from snapping onto the
boat deck in the event the rope breaks.

3. Always use nylon rope specifically rated for
this product. Never substitute cable for rope.
Cable is not an acceptable anchor line because
it does not stretch and is easily frayed. If cable
breaks it can snap back with more force than
nylon rope.

4. This product is intended to lift only river &
mushroom anchors. Do not attempt to lift or
move people or other objects with this winch.

Cruising and boat
trailering hazards.

1. When the boat is cruising or being trailered, the
anchor must be tied to a cleat (or other secure point)
or secured with a safety chain/strap. If the anchor
breaks free during cruising or trailering, it will cause
serious damage and/or injury.

Anchoring hazards.

1. Always tie the anchor line off to a cleat (or other
secure point) when the boat is anchored. The winch
must not be used to hold the load of the boat while
anchored. Serious damage to the motor and/or
failure of the winch could occur.

2. Do not pull a load greater than the rating for the
winch. If the circuit breaker halts operation of the
winch during retrieval or deployment, the winch
may have been overloaded. Stop using winch until
the cause of the problem has been determimed.

5. Inspect entire rope for weak or worn condition
or kinking (short tight twist or curl) before
each use. Replace worn rope with nylon rope
specifically rated for this product.

Electrical shock and
fire hazards.

1. Do not use electrical wire sizes other than
those specified in this manual. Using wire that is
too small could result in overloading and a fire.

2. Use only the supplied or recommended circuit
breakers when installing this winch. Using
incorrect circuit breakers could result in a fire.

3. Use only marine grade, fully tinned wire for
electrical connections between the battery and the
winch.

4. Make sure any crimped electrical connectors
meet can withstand a 25 lb pullout force before
failing.

5. Always disconnect the wiring harness from the
battery before attempting to install, relocate, or
service the winch or switch.

Entanglement
hazards.

1. Never place any object or tool in the rope
spool while retrieving or deploying the anchor.
The tool or object could become tangled in the
rope resulting in serious injury and/or damage to
the winch.

2. Do not wear loose fitting clothing, scarves,
or neck ties during the operation of the winch.
Loose clothing may become caught in moving
parts resulting in injury or death.

3. Do not operate the winch under the influence
of drugs and/or alcohol.

Operation hazards

1. It is always best to make sure that the windlass
is visible while under operating conditions. If
the rope should become “tangled” or “caught
up” while retrieving or deployment of the anchor
then the operator will be able to quickly turn the
windlass off before damage can occur.

2

Operating Instructions and Replacement Parts List Deckmate 25 Free Fall Pontoon Windlass

Deckmate 25 Freefall Pontoon Windlass Product and Performance Specifications

Maximum Line Size, Average Line Motor Circuit Unit

Anchor Type, and No Load Speed With Operating Breaker Unit Dimensions

Model Weight Length Line Speed 50 lb. Anchor

Deckmate 25 50 lbs 3/16” dia

Nylon,

100’ long

85 ft/min 33 ft/min 12V DC 25 amps 15 lbs. 12.25x8.5x8.25

Voltage Rating Weight (LxWxH)

Deckmate 25 Installation

IMPORTANT: REVIEW THESE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE INSTALLING!

There are 5 steps to installing the Deckmate 25 that must be completed in the order below for proper installation:

1. Assembling, locating, and installing the bow roller.

2. Locating and installing the winch mechanism.

3. Deciding location for switch (on the winch or at the helm).

4. Installing the switch and wiring the winch to the battery.

5. Assembling the cover and unit test.

STEP 1. Assembling, locating and installing the bow roller.

The bow roller comes unassembled in the packaging with the windlass. Locate the parts shown below before start­ing the assembly:

P10951 BOW ROLLER HOUSING P55710 ROLLER P55715 BOW ROLLER LOOP

P55712 BOW ROLLER SPACER

P55703 ROLLER BOLT STO70932AV WASHER P55704 HEX NUT

3

Operating Instructions and Replacement Parts List Deckmate 25 Free Fall Pontoon Windlass

STEP 1. Assembling, locating and installing the bow roller. (Continuted)

P55712 BOW ROLLER SPACER

- Insert P55712 Bow Roller Spacer into P55710 as
shown in Figure 1.

INSERT SPACER
INTO HOLE IN
BOW ROLLER AS
SHOWN

P55710 ROLLER

FIGURE 1. ASSEMBLING SPACER INTO ROLLER

P55715 BOW
ROLLER LOOP

P55703

ROLLER

BOLT

ST070932AV

WASHER

FIGURE 2. ASSEMBLING ROLLER INTO HOUSING

P10951 BOW
ROLLER
HOUSING

ST070932AV

WASHER

ROLLER AND
SPACER

P55704
HEX NUT

- Insert bow roller and spacer into P10951 Bow Roller
Housing along with P55715 Bow Roller Loop as shown
in Figure 2. Make sure that the loop fi ts inside the bow
roller housing, not outside. Secure with P55703 Roller
Bolt, STO70932AV Washers (one per side) and P55704
Hex Nut. The completely assembled bow roller is shown
in Figure 3.

FIGURE 3. COMPLETELY ASSEMBED BOW ROLLER

4

Operating Instructions and Replacement Parts List Deckmate 25 Free Fall Pontoon Windlass

CC

LL

CC

LL

STEP 1. Continued

With the bow roller assembled, it can now be located
on the bow of the boat.

!!IMPORTANT!!
Before drilling any holes, make sure the bow
roller extends over the bow or side of the boat far
enough so that the anchor will not hit the boat
when being retrieved or deployed.

Locate the bow roller and mark the three holes in
the bow roller on the deck of the boat. Using a 1/4”
diameter drill bit, drill the holes through the deck.
Using three of the 1/4-20 x 3.0 long screws in the
kit (along with three lock washers, flat washers, and
nuts), secure the bow roller to the deck as shown in
Figure 4.

STEP 2. Continued

Remove the winch mechanism from the box and
locate behind the bow roller on the deck of the boat
as shown in Figure 5.

FIGURE 5.
Location of winch
mechanism on
bow of boat

Make sure the centerline of the rope spool is in line
with the center line of the bow roller as shown in
Figure 6. If the winch is not properly aligned with
the bow roller, the winch will not operate properly.

FIGURE 4
Bow roller assembly as­sembled to bow of boat

Cut-away view

Step 2. Locating and installing winch mechanism

!!IMPORTANT!!
BEFORE DRILLING HOLES TO MOUNT
WINCH MECHANSIM, MAKE SURE THERE
IS ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN THE BOW
ROLLER AND THE WINCH COVER TO
PREVENT THE ANCHOR FROM HITTING
THE COVER WHEN THE ANCHOR IS RE­TRIEVED.

Centerline of bow roller must
line up with center line of rope
spool on winch

Figure 6.
Aligning winch rope
spool to bow roller

Remove cover from box and place over winch as
shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7. Winch cover
placed over winch
mechanism.

5