anchor windlass on 37.5 legend

[Mike & Val stockwell]

same old questions....AGAIN!!have purchased a Muir vr 1000 for my 91 legend. planning to mount it behind anchor locker on starboard side to try and line up with offset anchor roller system that came on the boat.. I will then have to hand feed chain and rode into locker.. Questions1... does the anchor roller set up on bow have to be modified ie another rooler istalled on stern end of plate to direct the chain or will the steel fence that is there now suffice?2... Does the deck have to be reinforced where windlass comes thru? and if so what did you do to accomplish this?3.. where is a convenient place to install the deck switch??I have looked thru the archives already but have not found specific answeres to my concernsThanks Mike

 

[Mickey Goodman]

Anchor Windlass

sI just installed a windlass on my 88 Legend 37. The deck is about 1" thick at the starboard aft of the anchor locker. I didn't nothing extra to the deck. it appeared to be very solid spot and I wouldn't think any reinforcement would be necessary.I put the switches (up and down) on the port side of the windlass leaving only enough room to open the cover. My plan was to open the anchor locker and sit on the edge feeding the road and chain into the locker and working the switch with the other hand.My windlass will feed the line back into the compartment below the deck. I had to cut a hole under the windlass to accomplish this. It appears to be a clean shot and I don't believe it will be necessary to add any below deck cover to protect the boat. One thing I did do that you might consider is that I positioned a battery in the "V" birth top center locker where the below deck portion of the windlass is located. I also ran wire from my smart battery charger to that battery. I calculated it out that it would be less expenses to put a battery in the "V" Birth rather than run battery cable all the way from the electrical panel to the windlass. I do know that it adds additional weight to the bow but since the water tank is in the bow a few more pounds won't make much difference. I also put an Off/On switch in the compartment and put a fuse in as well.The other people I spoke to did not recommend any change to the rollers on the anchor roller.The marine electrical is wiring up the windlass as we speak and I will try it out this weekend.