Windlass for a Beneteau 323
- Thread starter Babette04
- Start date
I have a 311 and just finished an install of a Maxwell windlass, their HRC FF 8 model. The 311 has an inset anchor locker and a nice spot to install one that can be hidden when you close the locker door.
I can't find my pictures of the install - I've only had it in place for a month or so. I will keep searching, or take some new ones.
I can't find my pictures of the install - I've only had it in place for a month or so. I will keep searching, or take some new ones.
David,
Beneteau used a Lewmar concept 1 windlass on the Beneteau 331 and 343 for sure. Probably used the same one on the 323. Unfortunately, the windlass is no longer available. I installed a Lewmar V3 windlass with gypsy & drum that accommodates a 3/8" chain & 5/8" nylon rode a few years ago. You can probably get by with the V2 windlass that handles 5/16' chain and 9/16" rode. The gelcoat surface on my boat actually had marks scribed in the anchor well to guide the drill alignment for cutting the hole for the windlass. If you attempt the installation yourself, you've got to measure everything repeatedly to ensure that the windlass is going to fit. I sweat bullets when cutting that hole in the anchor well. Everything has to line up; not much room for error. Its a fairly expensive project, even when doing it yourself, because of the cost of the windlass and approximately $500-600 for marine grade cable, lugs, and a hydraulic or heavy duty mechanical crimper to make up the cables.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,274
Smack on @BigEasy. 
Just completed a same install of equipment on my boat. Took two of us fairly accomplished DIY’rs 3 full days to get it installed and working. Still one loose end to finish. Install of a remote. But it is up and serviceable. Headed back to the boat to put back all the stuff we had to remove to lay the wiring. A lot of time spent is in deciding where to cut the holes an laying out the system.
Lewmar V3, chain and rode is available in SBO store at a fair price.
Just completed a same install of equipment on my boat. Took two of us fairly accomplished DIY’rs 3 full days to get it installed and working. Still one loose end to finish. Install of a remote. But it is up and serviceable. Headed back to the boat to put back all the stuff we had to remove to lay the wiring. A lot of time spent is in deciding where to cut the holes an laying out the system.
Lewmar V3, chain and rode is available in SBO store at a fair price.
Forgot to mention, I installed a hard wired hand held remote that has a receptacle in the anchor locker. I store the remote in the cabin when not in use.Smack on @BigEasy.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,274
With no place to mount the hard wired up/down button that came with the windlass kit, @LeslieTroyer ran a 14ft length of 14awg flat 3 wire out from the Nav station. It will reach to the helm if needed. The battery powered remote is on the way from Amazon.
Don’t forget to provision for a rode lock. Windlasses should not be used to secure your anchor.