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
- 23,794
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
- 23,794
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.
Can you describe how you accessed behind v-berth panel? Did you run power cables from house bank or install Li battery with trickle charger?
Tewilso,
I am familiar with the Beneteau 331, 343, & 393 layouts because I chartered these boats in a charter club, for a few years, before buying my 343. I am not familiar with the 323 layout, so take my advice accordingly. Also, I had the advantage of observing & using the factory windlass installation on the 343 charter boat, so I simply replicated the factory layout. With regards to the V berth access, there is a wood panel in the cabin forepeak area that is secured with self taping screws. Once the panel is removed, a space is exposed that will accommodate the motor & solenoid for the vertical windlass. Beneteau was so kind as to scribe marks into the recessed area of the deck mold where the external components protrude thru the deck; this simplified placement & cut out of the hole. LIFe batteries were not a consideration 12 years ago & I duplicated factory installation by wiring into my existing house & start bank of 400 amps. My batteries & switches are located in the port side aft berth, so that’s the route that I started from (thru a dedicated 90 amp windlass fuse supplied with the Lewmar kit). The 1”O” or 2 “O” tinned cables traversed under a hanging closet, behind the galley stove, thru the port side settee (where one of two water tanks are located), thru the forward bulkhead, up thru a hanging closet in the V berth, along the concealed interface of deck & molded headliner, & finally to the recessed space behind the panel in the forepeak. The red & black cables (approximately 30’ each) & connectors were purchased from online supplier, Greg’s Marine Wire. Again, I am not familiar with the 323 anchor locker configuration. You can see my deck configuration in photos posted in this thread. There are also photos that show a horizontal windlass installation on a 323; you may be limited to a horizontal windlass for your application. I am certain that the 331 had deck / anchor locker configuration for a vertical windlass. Hope this info helps.
I am familiar with the Beneteau 331, 343, & 393 layouts because I chartered these boats in a charter club, for a few years, before buying my 343. I am not familiar with the 323 layout, so take my advice accordingly. Also, I had the advantage of observing & using the factory windlass installation on the 343 charter boat, so I simply replicated the factory layout. With regards to the V berth access, there is a wood panel in the cabin forepeak area that is secured with self taping screws. Once the panel is removed, a space is exposed that will accommodate the motor & solenoid for the vertical windlass. Beneteau was so kind as to scribe marks into the recessed area of the deck mold where the external components protrude thru the deck; this simplified placement & cut out of the hole. LIFe batteries were not a consideration 12 years ago & I duplicated factory installation by wiring into my existing house & start bank of 400 amps. My batteries & switches are located in the port side aft berth, so that’s the route that I started from (thru a dedicated 90 amp windlass fuse supplied with the Lewmar kit). The 1”O” or 2 “O” tinned cables traversed under a hanging closet, behind the galley stove, thru the port side settee (where one of two water tanks are located), thru the forward bulkhead, up thru a hanging closet in the V berth, along the concealed interface of deck & molded headliner, & finally to the recessed space behind the panel in the forepeak. The red & black cables (approximately 30’ each) & connectors were purchased from online supplier, Greg’s Marine Wire. Again, I am not familiar with the 323 anchor locker configuration. You can see my deck configuration in photos posted in this thread. There are also photos that show a horizontal windlass installation on a 323; you may be limited to a horizontal windlass for your application. I am certain that the 331 had deck / anchor locker configuration for a vertical windlass. Hope this info helps.
Very nice boat. Great plans to take down the Tenn-Tom. Lots of scenic areas to cruise along Panhandle with option of sailing in the Gulf or bays & sounds/ICW. I visited the Grand Rivers area when I was searching for 331 or 343; beautiful area.