Having recently and for the first time hauled up a big Bruce anchor with 30 feet of very heavy (oversized) chain by hand, I've decided using the winch on the mast is still not the best solution. I will replace the 5/8 chain. I'm looking for suggestions for a windlass which will fit into the existing anchor locker -- manual or electric. (I'm not going cruising anytime soon, so this is for use once in a while along the coast.) I am leaning toward a manual windlass for simplicity's sake, but open to other suggestions. It has been suggested that I watch the swap meets for a two-speed manual windlass. Any particulat brand names, styles or issues? A related question: how difficult will it be to open up the sealed space below the anchor locker (and in front of the V berth) to get access to mount the backing plates, etc.??? Sanders LaMont SV Good News Sacramento
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Dave S.
Windlass Installation
I had exactly the same experience!! 50' of 3/8" chain and a 30# anchor is no picnic! We installed a LoFrans "Tigres" horizontal windlass in the anchor locker of our 37c with great results. We used two foot-switches on either side of the inner forestay (with lids!), and the bottom of the anchor locker is reinforced with two thicknesses of 3/4" marine ply. Caveats: We used sacrificial SS plates where the 5/16"HT chain passes over the lip of the chain locker, and I installed a large "Trailer Roller" in the bottom of the locker to run the chain under, giving the gypsy a much larger "wrap", so we don't have any skipping. All in all, it's clean, neat, protected from the elements, and IT WORKS! For the $$$$ you'd save, forget the manual-type, it just makes you put off weighing anchor when you probably should, and the electrics are VERY reliable.
I had exactly the same experience!! 50' of 3/8" chain and a 30# anchor is no picnic! We installed a LoFrans "Tigres" horizontal windlass in the anchor locker of our 37c with great results. We used two foot-switches on either side of the inner forestay (with lids!), and the bottom of the anchor locker is reinforced with two thicknesses of 3/4" marine ply. Caveats: We used sacrificial SS plates where the 5/16"HT chain passes over the lip of the chain locker, and I installed a large "Trailer Roller" in the bottom of the locker to run the chain under, giving the gypsy a much larger "wrap", so we don't have any skipping. All in all, it's clean, neat, protected from the elements, and IT WORKS! For the $$$$ you'd save, forget the manual-type, it just makes you put off weighing anchor when you probably should, and the electrics are VERY reliable.
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Bob Padlowski
Can we see pictures of windlass installation?
Dave, I am very interested in how you went about doing this. Where do the rodes go to, below the anchor well's decking? Do you have openings for two rodes, port & starboard? How is your windlass set up, with a rope/chain gypsy on one side & a capstan on the other? Do you have photos of the setup of your Tigres windlass? I think we could all learn a lot from your solution.
Dave, I am very interested in how you went about doing this. Where do the rodes go to, below the anchor well's decking? Do you have openings for two rodes, port & starboard? How is your windlass set up, with a rope/chain gypsy on one side & a capstan on the other? Do you have photos of the setup of your Tigres windlass? I think we could all learn a lot from your solution.
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Ed Schenck
Stole my idea?!
I am glad to hear that someone has successfully put the windlass in the locker. A recent issue of Sailing had pictures of a Bavaria 40 with the windlass in the locker. My manual windlass sits in the basement waiting for me to enlarge the anchor locker. The plan is to add a shelf right under the mid-stay chainplate. The locker will be huge with plenty of room for lots of chain. See the Link below for Gene Gruender's details on enlarging the locker. We'll all look forward to details and photos Dave.
I am glad to hear that someone has successfully put the windlass in the locker. A recent issue of Sailing had pictures of a Bavaria 40 with the windlass in the locker. My manual windlass sits in the basement waiting for me to enlarge the anchor locker. The plan is to add a shelf right under the mid-stay chainplate. The locker will be huge with plenty of room for lots of chain. See the Link below for Gene Gruender's details on enlarging the locker. We'll all look forward to details and photos Dave.
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Jim Legere
Horizon 1500
I am in the process of installing a Simpson Lawrence Horizon 1500 in the anchor locker of my 37C. I'll post some pictures here when done. I really like the idea of having this expensive piece of kit out of the weather, plus it looks cleaner too!
I am in the process of installing a Simpson Lawrence Horizon 1500 in the anchor locker of my 37C. I'll post some pictures here when done. I really like the idea of having this expensive piece of kit out of the weather, plus it looks cleaner too!
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Dave Stone
Windlass in anchor well
My boat came to me with a manual windlass in the anchor well. It is through bolted with wooden backing plates. There is a 2 inch pvc pipe led to a locker below the forward end of the V-berth. Its not a BAD installation. The whole thing is useless because the P.O. then put shackles on the rode... too big to fit in the pipe. So about 80 feet of chain is wrapped around the windlass. I will attemp to fix this over the summer. I think it needs a bigger pipe to prevent jamming & it requires a rope to chain splice. My boat is a 1979 & has a locker across the forward end of the V-berth. I removed the locker from the overhead & the bulkhead. Then removed the bulkhead. There was a piece of teak at the bottom with two screws driven from the forward side of the bulkhead. About four screws across the top. Pretty simple all in all. Just plan for splices or shackles & size the hawsepipe to suit. If you are using chain, you'll want to try for a tall narrow chain locker. Or settle for what is already there. It looks like it will work if all chain is used. I have little faith that the rope will not pile up at the lower end of the pipe & jam everything up. If I get some pics, I'll post them. Good luck.
My boat came to me with a manual windlass in the anchor well. It is through bolted with wooden backing plates. There is a 2 inch pvc pipe led to a locker below the forward end of the V-berth. Its not a BAD installation. The whole thing is useless because the P.O. then put shackles on the rode... too big to fit in the pipe. So about 80 feet of chain is wrapped around the windlass. I will attemp to fix this over the summer. I think it needs a bigger pipe to prevent jamming & it requires a rope to chain splice. My boat is a 1979 & has a locker across the forward end of the V-berth. I removed the locker from the overhead & the bulkhead. Then removed the bulkhead. There was a piece of teak at the bottom with two screws driven from the forward side of the bulkhead. About four screws across the top. Pretty simple all in all. Just plan for splices or shackles & size the hawsepipe to suit. If you are using chain, you'll want to try for a tall narrow chain locker. Or settle for what is already there. It looks like it will work if all chain is used. I have little faith that the rope will not pile up at the lower end of the pipe & jam everything up. If I get some pics, I'll post them. Good luck.
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Dave S.
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Gene Gruender
a bigger locker
Here's what I did to mine. You wouldn't necessarily need to add the bowsprit, I'm not sure where I'd mount the windlass if it wasn't there. http://www.geocities.com/rainbow_chaser.geo/anklkr.html You can see, though, that there is a lot of left over room. If you decide to do something like this, email me, I've learned a bit from my mistakes! Gene Gruender
Here's what I did to mine. You wouldn't necessarily need to add the bowsprit, I'm not sure where I'd mount the windlass if it wasn't there. http://www.geocities.com/rainbow_chaser.geo/anklkr.html You can see, though, that there is a lot of left over room. If you decide to do something like this, email me, I've learned a bit from my mistakes! Gene Gruender
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