windlass for a 37C *o

[Sanders]

I've been through some previous postings in the archives, but still would like to ask 37c owners about your specific experience with a windlass installation. Mine is an 79, about 18,000 pounds, and when I invest in a windlass I want it to be adequate for the weight and varied conditions suitable for cruising Mexico, and to draw minimal power needed. (Yeah, I know, everybody wants that!)I am particularly interested to know how you decided on the specific windlass you bought, whether it was DIY project or boatyard installed, did it require a change in battery capacity, and if you are happy with it. It seems no matter what I get it will run around $1,000, and this is not an area where I want to cut costs, just to be reasonable...My anchor locker is the original size, and I believe I could install either a vertical (with the motor hanging into the V berth space) or a horizontal. I do not have a bowsprit. My rode, which is new, has 50 ft of chain spliced into 5/8 200 ft rode with a Bruce anchor. Anything can be changed, obviously.Comments appreciated.Sanders

 

[Ed Schenck]

Manual on Ladylove.

The related link has some pictures Sanders. I installed a manual S/L in the original locker. First I added a hawse pipe so that the chain could lie down on the keel. I still keep a small "lunch hook" in the locker, plenty of room.You might recall that I also increased the size of the roller. Bob Miller first showed us that in the Photo Forum. My 35# CQR rides very nicely there. It was necessary so that the long shank did not overlap the locker lid. Now the chain lines right up with the opening in the locker and back to the gypsy. You can see that at:http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73188243319&fno=17I believe you could do the same thing with a motorized windlass. Oh, and I did paint the locker when I was done.

 

[avalonduet]

Windlass Notes

Sanders...Like you, I gave this a lot of thought bfore I made a move. Your parameters are about equal to mine. Go to the Photo Forum for some pix of my installation (DIY, by the way) of our Lofrans horizontal windlass.I like Ed's chain pipe idea, but my all-chain (250' of 5/16" Hi-Tensile) rode rides in the chain locker directly below the windlass and forward of the V-berth. With any windlass installation, I think the all-chain rode is well worth the expense. I use a nylon snubber when riding to the Bruce 44 for any length of time.By the way, we live on a mooring or at anchor 365 days a year.I've tried to add a link to the photos....hope it works.Dave

 

[Jim Legere]

SL 1500

I installed a Lewmar/SL 1500 horizontal windlas in the anchor locker with 150 feet of 3/8 BBB chain. I have two Group 24 batteries under the cabin sole that supply the windlass an all house loads. There is a Group 27 battery (back up for engine starting) in the standard Stbd. locker location. I usually have the engine idling when I weigh anchor, but I have sailed off the anchor and the electrical system handles it - no problem. My wife likes the fact that the windlass has a cathead (auxillary rope drum) taht she can use to hual me up the mast. My installation is very similarl to the one in the H37C photo forum.

 

[sail-bum20760]

Horizion 900 in 37C

I have done the same thing at Avalonduet with my installation. I did one thing different and put the windlass on an aluminum plate mounted just under the top of the locker. I tried to put a hauser pipe through the anchor locker and through the vberth all the way to the hold. I can't get the chain to stack the way it needs to so I am going to build a chain box on the vberth platform. The windlass I used was a Lewmar Horizon 900 along with three new house batteries under the cabin sole. This put the last batter just in front of the mast and pretty close to the windlass. I put the associated circuit breater and control on the bulkhead just behind the mast. This made the wiring pretty easy. I did get a windlass with both a chain gypsy and drum for usability.Good Luck

 

[Richard McDonald]

Jim and sail-bum

Any chances of getting pics of both of your windlass and house battery installations? Photo Forum or direct email (rmcdonald@wi.rr.com)Did you install foot switches and where, to control the windlass operation?Thanks,Richard

 

[Craig17093]

Bargains on e-bay

This doesn't begin to answer your question but I wanted you to know I browse e-bay boat accessories and gear section pretty regularly and there are almost always windlasses listed and sold at bargain prices. Euphoria was purchased used with a windlass already in place but we have not tried to use it in the three seasons we have had the boat.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Chain locker.

Dave or sail-bum or Avalonduet, now which is it? As for the chain not stacking in the keel, that is a problem. The keel at the bow is pretty sharp and the chain tends to jam when retrieving. It will feed out fine.My solution was to glass in a "sliding board". I shaped some 3/8" plywood, about 12" wide by 4' in length. Kept it high at the front with a suitable slope back to within 18" of the first bulkhead. Now the chain all slides right down to the keel against that bulkhead. The added advantage is a very strong bow.

 

[avalonduet]

Avalonduet = Aboardduet

Hi Ed....Used to be Aboardduet, but now it's Avalonduet.....imaginative, eh?As we live on a mooring or anchor all the time here, I had been using a small wi-fi server here, but finally got fed up and went with Verizon Broadband World-Wide wireless. Pricey, but terrifiic service. Had to change my screen name though.Our four Group 27 House batteries sit just by the bottom of the mast, and they serve the windlass through a circuit breaker and and a pair of 2/0 wires to the foot switches. Those wires look like garden hoses going along under the edge of the berth!Must say the setup has worked flawlessly for more than 5 years, about 30% of the time at anchor.Dave