how to install a windlass on a 1979 h30

[jerry edwards]

I would like to install a all chain windlass on my boat, but don't think the locker is deep enough. Also worried about locker door. I assume the locker door would have to be rebuild. Has anyone ever installed one.

 

[Paul]

check photo forum

There are several creative solutions to installing a windlass in the photo forum. My favorite is the O'Day owner who sawed his locker hatch in half, installed the windlass on the front part, and glassed it in. That's thinking outside the box.A good solution for many Hunters is the one where a very sturdy board or other structural piece is installed athwartships inside the anchor locker with the windlass mounted atop the piece. This works because many boats have little raised shelves in the corners of the anchor locker, perfect for such a thing.My least favorite solutions are the ones where the rode is led over the locker door, so that it can't be opened unless you take the chain off the windlass. I'd prefer never to touch the rode with my hands. I doubt you'll have to make changes to the locker hatch unless you want to install a big horizontal model. There are windlasses out there that are only slighly larger than a hockey puck, at least what you see above the deck.Keep thinking about it, check out those photos. I also have done some walking around the marina. Myself, I am installing a vertical model with a capstan, and am considering cutting a little round opening in the locker just the right size for the top of the capstan, a la the new 426. Very cool.Good luck, and post your own solution when the job is done.Paulsv Escape Aristh336

 

[Ed Schenck]

How big is locker?

That is on my project list for Spring. I purchased a good horizontal manual windlass on E-Bay. I plan to mount it inside the locker by glassing in a shelf about eight inches deep across the back 1/3 of the locker. That will not leave much room for chain so first I will increase the size of the locker. Not sure how your H30 locker compares to my H37C but you can see a locker modification in Related Link. As Paul points out there is a lot of info in the Photo Forum also.

 

[jerry edwards]

reply

THANKS, I didn't know about the web site for the 37 hunter locker and new bowsprit. That man did a lot of work, but I don't think I can do all that. the locker on my 30 is only 12 to 15 inches deep. It's long at least 3 feet. When I bought the boat it has a circle of screw holes in the locker about 12" in dia.the holes leaked, so I assume he had a windlass of some kind in there. He or his wife wouldn't talk to me.He traded the boat in to a marina for a new one. I tried calling him but he refused to talk about the old boat. He even threaten to sue me, if I called again. First time I ever ran into a sailor that wouldn't talk about his boats.Cutting the locker door in half and mounting a windlass seams like a job I could handle. The fiberglas work is my problem. No knowledge of how to. I laid up fiberglas but never gelcoated any. I would also have to add a anchor roller. again thanks

 

[Jim Hague]

Say what?

What is the former owner's name and what marina sold the boat to you? I sure would like to avoid this chap and leave him to his own world.