80-82 Cherubini Hunter 36 Anchor Windlass

[rardiH36]

Thought to migrate the topic to its own thread -- just in case somebody in some future years goes hunting for info.

Below are pictures of the anchor windlass installation on my particular 80-82 Hunter 36. The mounting design was by someone else prior to my ownership, so I really can't comment if it is strong enough or not.

The installation needed work when I bought the boat. The windlass was mounted on a piece of standard grade 3/4" plywood which had largely lost any integrity. The white replacement piece under the windlass is Corian plastic.

The two forward bolts go completely through the deck with a backing plate underneath.

The two aft bolts go through what used to be the most forward end of the opening anchor locker hatch. The PO separated that section from the rest of the hatch. Then it was epoxied solid to the sill to provide a rigid platform for mounting. See the picture which was taken from the anchor locker aimed back underneath the windlass.

The setup does work ... although I must confess that I don't anchor much. The main problem I have had is that the notch that was cut-out just aft of the windless for the chain to drop into the locker is a few inches too far aft. When the anchor is lifted, the chain feeding off the aft side of the windlass needs a more vertical drop to seat better in the chain groves of the windlass. I do have room to move the cut-out forward. Just haven't got around to it.

Just one way of doing it. Hope that this gives a springboard for variation on the theme.

 

[Jim Legere]

Rardi - the H36 anchor locker looks very similar to the H37C locker. Do you think it is deep enough at the aft end to mount a windlass in there? I am sure windlasses last longer (esp. electric ones) if they are out of the weather. Of course, the down side is that then you have to convert some area down below into a rope/chain locker...

 

[Ed Schenck]

From the picture of the v-berth in the other thread I think a locker install might be hard. It looked like the aft end of the anchor locker was actually in the v-berth. So the chain, if dropped near the back of the locker, would be on your toes. Maybe that is not the case, just the look from the photo.

 

[rardiH36]

Ed: Not sure if the aft end of the locker is deep enough to accommodate a windlass. I think so though. If a pipe was extended down, the chain/rode would drop either into the space just forward of the decorative bulkhead just forward of the v-berth cushions. Or the pipe could continue into a locker below the v-berth. Neither of these locations have natural drainage into the bilge. So drain holes and water routing would need to be added so that any wet from rode/chain or anchor locker spilll-over would flow into the bilge.

Anyway, its all moot for me and my my particular boat. The windlass is already mounted. The chain locker hatch has been cut into two pieces and the forward piece hard-epoxied in place. I don't anchor too frequently and when I do it all works. So status-quo will prevail in this instance!

 

[RTB]

If a pipe was extended down, the chain/rode would drop either into the space just forward of the decorative bulkhead just forward of the v-berth cushions. Or the pipe could continue into a locker below the v-berth. Neither of these locations have natural drainage into the bilge. So drain holes and water routing would need to be added so that any wet from rode/chain or anchor locker spilll-over would flow into the bilge.

Thank you for the post and pictures. I had asked about your setup because of what you say here.

Thanks again, rardi!

Ralph

 

[Ed Schenck]

From the discussion and pictures I think I would opt for a manual windlass on deck behind the locker. I think manual because then you can use a vertical and there is no motor that has to penetrate the deck. A horizontal like mine would also work but the vertical gives you more flexibility in rode angles. The rode comes around the right side and cranks clockwise into the anchor locker.

The windlass in the locker will be a problem because I would not want the rode at the v-berth level. Running it down onto the keel will be a problem because on the 36 you are so close to the bow. The rode will get stuck in the pointy bow.

I guess if I had to have an electric then it would be a horizontal. I wouldn't want that motor in the v-berth. If you put it in the locker it has to be a horizontal. I like my manual for its simplicity, no wiring or batteries or switches to fail. It is slower though.

Here's a very good article from Don Casey: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/anchorwn.htm
And an actual installation: http://www.thehurdles.com/anchorman.htm

 

[rardiH36]

Interestingly, the installation shown in the second of Ed's links (http://www.thehurdles.com/anchorman.htm) uses a variation of the same approach as the PO of my boat chose. That is the chain locker hatch has been cut. One section is made rigid in place onto which the windlass is mounted. The other part of the hatch continues to function as a swing up door to the locker.

 

[chichiflys]

Here are some pics of the installation my father did a few years ago...1982 H36.
We have a 35lb delta anchor on the windlass on the port side and a 12 lb. Fortress on the stbd. side. Seems I use the Fortress more often in the Chesapeake.

 

[rardiH36]

Great to see and learn about all the variations owners have engineered.