Mounting a vertical windlass in a 1978 Catalina 30

[Guts1236]

I have a 1978 Catalina 30 and I would like to mount a windlass. Has anyone here done that? I have a Lewmar vertical windlass that I would like to use if possible.

Thank you in advance

Kim

 

[jrowan]

At least you referred to it as a windless & not a "wench." LOL!

Check out the retrofit improvements on the C 30 website,
it is the last link at the bottom left of the page:

http://www.catalina30.com/TechLib/technical.htm

Also this is a link to Lewmar's website:

http://www.lewmar.com/support-windl-vid.asp

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Here is an article submission I made to Mainsheet Magazine some time ago describing my windlass installation. I have no idea if it was ever published.

The sailing bio information at the end was their requirement, not mine.

 

[Guts1236]

Thank you for your replies, I should have shown you what type of windlass I have. Then you could appreciate my dilemma. The style of windlass I have drops the chain down to the anchor locker which is great if you deck is solid and there is no removable Hatch. I'm kind of thinking I need to make a solid Hatch with thing access plate. If I want to use this windlass.

Here's a link to one very similar to the one I have.

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/lewmar-v700-windlass.html?gclid=CLjty6-GprwCFaY1QgodwSQAEg

I'm thinking I need to sell this windlass and get a different style

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Yep. Exactly the same configuration as mine.
http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/AL-BA612.htm

 

[jrowan]

You can reinforce the back side of your existing hatch with Starbrite panels or build it up with fiberglass roving & resin, but this will take a lot of layers to build up sufficiently. Also, you will have to cut through the hatch with a hawse pipe type hole, for the chain rode to slide into the anchor locker. I have heard that many sailors still have to feed the rode into the locker every 30 to 50 feet as it builds up irregularly, or in one pile that's too tall to close the locker. Good luck & let is know how it goes.

 

[Guts1236]

That is what I'm contemplating, may be a piece of plate aluminum with the Hatch fixed to the top of that with screws going into some kind of secure backing. Then I have the issue of being able to get to their without removing the Hatch so I'm thinking a round access plate. Just toying with ideas right now, I was hoping that somebody had done this before. The anchor chain is going to have to drop to the deepest point of the anchor well. Otherwise it will not stack properly in my opinion. The windlass has a up and down switch so I can power up or down the anchor chain. I would like to use just chain alone.

With my 30 foot Catalina I will be using a 35 pound QCR anchor which I know is a little bit large but I get a great deal on it, and I'm having it regalvanized this week. So all this talk about the windlass giving me ideas on how I'm going to attack this project.

Off topic here how does one get to their picture album? I know I made one but I can't figure out how to get to it. And can it be accessed with a hyperlink to refer to the subject we are discussing.

Thanks For all of your replies

PS please excuse my spelling I am a terrible at spelling and forming sentences and grammar in general. I had issues when I was younger which I will go into, which leads me to this disability. So please excuse my slaughter of the English language.

Kim a.k.a. guts

You can reinforce the back side of your existing hatch with Starbrite panels or build it up with fiberglass roving & resin, but this will take a lot of layers to build up sufficiently. Also, you will have to cut through the hatch with a hawse pipe type hole, for the chain rode to slide into the anchor locker. I have heard that many sailors still have to feed the rode into the locker every 30 to 50 feet as it builds up irregularly, or in one pile that's too tall to close the locker. Good luck & let is know how it goes.

 

[jrowan]

No worries. Your spelling & grammar are better then many who post on this site,
mine included!