I'VE DONE IT
I have a 1981, 30 tall rig that I installed a Horizon 400G horizontal windlass last year. I choose this model due to my finances, it's size,design and ease of installation. As the anchor well is very shallow, there is no room for a vertical model without major work. I located just in front of the anchor well hatch to allow access to the rope locker and enough length to create grip on the capstan. The wiring is run down the starboard side through the cabin and hanging locker, down under the bench seat to the battery box then back up to the nav station. I mounted the breaker switch on the electrical panel and the rocker switch (up/down) in the base of the chart table facing the galley. Most people would mount the rocker switch out in the cockpit or have a remote switch up in the rope locker but... I was saving money and time and that was my main concern. Just follow the instructions with the installation manual. Do not cut corners on the size of the wiring as this will cause problems with current flow and performance of the windlass. My idea has a couple of drawbacks... - the rope/chain will bunch up when feed in automatically by the windlass (cause..too shallow an anchor well). To fix this you require your first mate to coil up the line in the well as it is feed in to create enough room for all 150 - 200ft of line/chain. - Having the rocker switch down in the main saloon is a little noisy when the engine is running(which is always during using the windlass). So your first mate has to yell at you when to operate the switch!! Ideally would be to have the remote switch but I understand they are $100.00 plus dollars!! I anchor out at Catalina Isl in between 40 - 125ft depth, with approx. 60ft chain and 150 ft rope. I have not any any problems yet!! Good luck.. Matt
