Windlass install

vmaks

.
May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
Pearson 31-2, shallow anchor locker...I want to install a windlass but I have been warned that it might be unlikely cuz windlasses need a vertical drop,unless...I would accept it dropping into the v-berth. NOPE! I have searched high and low and can not find Pearson's of my size that have a windlass,ANYWHERE. If some handy person has done this,would you please send pics so my guy can visualize. We send people to the moon, I can not believe this has not been tackled yet. And...before you start saying you haul your chain/line rode via brute force, been there done that. I am mid 60's,female and ready to move on the next phase of yanking the anchor- by pushing a button as many of us do for coffee. Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide pics.
 
Jul 27, 2011
4,989
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
There’s no open “locker” fwd of the end of the V-berth or of that bulkhead? My P30 had one into which we dropped the tackle via a hawse through the deck, but not using a windlass. The rode was not all chain. Used a canvass “curtain” to close off the locker from the sleeping area.. That’s not exactly “into the V-berth” per se. If the space is there reconsider using it. Of course, you have to find a way to power a windlass.

There are some Catalina 34’s out there retrofitted, I believe, with windlass. My neighbor is trying to figure how to do his even now. Maybe check with those guys. It’s pretty ugly to have an all chain rode and no windlass:doh:.
 
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Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
So no proper chain locker and the vee berth goes all the way to the pointy end? A couple options come to mind. Back in the olden days (and in a few more modern boats) it was common for the chain to fall down a pipe that led to the bilge further aft in the boat. It helped with weight distribution. That wouldn't disrupt the vee berth too much but would probably need all chain to fall that far without tangling. That's not a bad idea anyway. Another idea would be to build a box at the forward end of the vee for the rode to fall into. That would effectively shorten the berth by a foot or so but would be easier and more reliable feeding the rode in and out. Don't know if you can sacrifice that much length in the berth though. I don't think I could in my boat, we sleep up there and it's just long enough as is.
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,995
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
How about you share a picture or two of what your looking at. I do not have a Pearson 31-2 on my dock. I am fairly good at creative ideas for boat projects. There are quite a few of us here, some with Engineering credentials. But even the best find it difficult to help when working blind.
You are correct about the need for a space to pile up chain. There are a few innovative ideas that have used chain haulers to solve this problem.
What would help are images of your foredeck bow where you think you could locate a windlass. Then where you think you might store the chain and rode. How much of each you believe you need.
 
Jul 27, 2011
4,989
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
And...before you start saying you haul your chain/line rode via brute force, been there done that. I am mid 60's,female and ready to move on the next phase of yanking the anchor- by pushing a button ...
Yeah. I remember well the first time I used the windlass on the Bavaria after 11 yr of pulling by hand on the Pearson. Push the button on the remote and it comes up! I told my wife, we’ll not be going back!!
 

vmaks

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May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
Thanks for the reply. Yes,there is a small space in the forepeak with an access board. However, also located in that space is the holding tank pump out tubing since Pearson, for some dumb reason, put the pump out access inside the anchor locker...for real. We can get to it by scooting our rode to the side. Rode= 30' chain spliced to 200' 3-strand nylon. At the front of the locker is a 3" hole that someone sealed with a cap but could be removed by cutting the sealant should we need to.
Yes,I have even searched for pics and reading in the Catalina,etc forums. I sent my guy some that I felt would be a great solution,I think. I am Michigan,the guys are busy yanking and winterizing boats up here. They will not get to my project til the snow is knee deep. I want to be ready to have the discussion and provide them with pics as to make them think outside of the box. Attached is our anchor locker
 

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Oct 22, 2014
20,995
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Very helpful. How about the V-Berth that you do not want to loose.

What is the weight of your anchor?

Note a vertical windlass pulls in the chain, turns it 180 degrees and spits it out. The drive motor is below the windlass. A horizontal windlass pulls the chain in, turns it 90 degrees and drops it down. These traits become limiting factors when trying to solve the issues. Your bow space locks also limiting. As well as the location for plumbing. What options exist to find more space? Or is there a way to safely distribute the chain and rode?

Do you have a picture that is taken looking at the bow from a couple feet nearer the mast so there is more of the bow space visible?

Where is the end of the V-berth in relation to the anchor well? Is there anything beneath the front bottom of the anchor well?
 
Jan 4, 2006
6,444
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Can you please supply numerous shots from various angles of the locker a little further back ? Also remove all rode from the locker for a better look. Also a better shot of the 3" hole showing its location in the locker.

If one picture worth thousand words, many pictures .................. you get the idea.

Another question that comes to mind, do you sail alone or is there help available if raising the anchor becomes a two man job as an absolutely last resort ? We'll try not to go down that "rode" :p.
 
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vmaks

.
May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
OK, small problem...boat is now in dry storage for the winter,4.5 hrs away. The pics I have is it til next summer. I will hunt for more in gallery. However,removing the rode rt now is not possible til next May.
Anchor=20# Delta. That seems fairly light til..it isn't on a rough anchor pull with wind and boats in proximity. Yes, it took 2 of us to get the anchor up quickly in a chop and wind. That means no one at the helm.
I have seen some pics of mounting a fabricated shelf to the existing locker,mount the windlass on the,cut out the cover to fit over the windlass. I am also willing to mount a vertical thru the deck behind the locker so as to be able to use the locker. I just do not want the chain to flake in the v-berth sleeping area.
I will attach what I have and pics I found as suggestions. What I REALLY WANT, is for some genius who has already come up with the solution to this problem on a boat similar to mine.
Screenshot_20200930-094604_Photos.jpg
 

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Jan 4, 2006
6,444
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
My problem (as well as many others here) is that we don't have a Pearson 31 to refer to. Sorry to say, I've never been on one previously.

I know this idea stinks, but you may find yourself forced to take the 9 hour round trip to take shots from every conceivable angle and every possible measurement in order to have this ready to go in 2021 rather than 2022.

I feel your pain as I had to listen to a back specialist (back in 2013) tell me how to run my boat when he didn't now the front end of a boat from the back. Mind you, he was 100% right when he told me to install something to lift the anchor OR ELSE.

My windlass installation was easy but it's still not the ultimate set up as I often have to clear away a route for the nylon portion of the rode to fall when the locker is filled to the top with 400' of rode. I think this will be your best bet, to continuously clear away rode once it has laid down and eliminated any fall you just had. This is infinitely easier that hauling by hand.

For now, my greatest interest would be: what is the depth of fall from the surface of the deck to the bottom of the locker. In you case, this may be 10" as shown at the front of the locker. Can you confirm ?

Dimens.JPG
 
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vmaks

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May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
Back atcha,no pun intended...already had back surgery and ice climbing did me in for 2 shoulder reconstruction,aka,I REALLY want to make this work,just without costing enough to go buy a new boat.
The 2 pics: x1 at the front of anchor locker, depth approx 12" and x1 at the rear of the anchor locker,depth 8". I see creating a platform either aft or forward and deal with flaking to redistribute it as it comes into the locker. I will update e'one the plan as the boatyard settles down from hauling out boats and they get bk to me. Northern Michigan is reaching peak colors and snowflakes are scheduled in the very near future. In the meantime....my wanna be engineer self is in overdrive to solve this conundrum.
 

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vmaks

.
May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
The 1st pic shows the aft side of anchor locker ht,8", vs another pic shows the front side nearest the bow and anchor roller,12". The newest pic shows my v-berth. I have a pic of someone who installed a vertical windlass whereas the motor dropped behind the locker...i will include this couple of screen shots.
 

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Jan 4, 2006
6,444
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Very interesting, the pic inside your V berth. Exactly what is inside the cover ?

V Berth.jpg

Very similar to what I've mounted in my H-310.

Slide3.JPG

Slide4.JPG

Slide19.JPG
 

vmaks

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May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
Good question, I guess I assumed that was the anchor locker that protruded to the v-berth. I will have to see if I have anymore pics from our purchase. Thanks for including your pics,perfect for referencing when I talk to "my guy" at the boatyard who is taking on this project. Honestly, I will look closer cuz I don't remember anything but shiny fiberglass.
 

vmaks

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May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
I see what that is....it is simply gelcoat where the cabin top in front of the hatch steps down to the deck. The little fiberglass lip you see after that is the anchor locker before the forepeak. I looked at my schematics from the manual to see what is in front of the holding tank. The manual only presents a top down schematic,not a sideview. I KNOW the holding tank hose runs on the port side,tho the head is on the starboard side, of the forepeak.
 
Jan 4, 2006
6,444
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
You are most likely right. Difficult to see without a closeup of the assembly.

As shown in my setup, you will most likely be looking at a motor protruding down into the V-berth if you go with a vertical windlass. It may or may not be posssible to cover the motor with an addition to the existing cover of the anchor locker.

Time to explore other anchor types to see if a horizontal windlass may better serve your needs.

Still disappointed that reinforcing the base of the windlass may result in a mess in the V-berth. Minor problem at this time until we decide on a workable windlass.
 

vmaks

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May 31, 2012
79
Pearson 31 Suttons Bay
I am REALLY liking the concept of fastening a shelf inside the locker and cutting a hole in the cover to accommodate it protruding out. Ouch, a toe stubbed but....at least not a back breaker.
 
Jan 4, 2006
6,444
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
I'm kind of seeing a horizontal windlass mounted UP on the deck for a couple of reasons:

1. There is no motor protruding down into the V-berth below.
2. Mounting it ON deck gives you the maximum amount of drop, of which you have very little.

I feel that the 8" drop can work but you will have to keep a clear path as the locker starts to fill.


In the meantime....my wanna be engineer self is in overdrive to solve this conundrum.
Great ! ! ! I've read enough specs to last me three lifetimes so here's where you get to satisfy your engineering cravings:

- research various horizontal windlasses to see which offers the best the qualities you want.
- size that windlass size to accommodate your lode weight. This can be tricky as most manufacturers use their own nomenclature for their windlass' capabilities.
- check to see if the windlass measurements fit your boat.
- you'll need the curvature of the deck to see the maximum the windlass can be mounted on a curved surface.

I sent my guy some that I felt would be a great solution,I think.
Ask yourself if your guy and his yard are capable of:

- talking to you and respecting you as if you were a man. Most yard apes are complete idiots. It's just the sorry state of this business.
- taking measurements and discussing whether they will work with your boat.
- devising a few ideas as to reinforcing the deck and it NEEDS IT ! ! !
- coming up with ideas of his own which you can accept or reject without his getting PO'd, i.e dropping the rode into your V-berth.

If you are not able to say yes to everything listed here, I recommend you look elsewhere for help. The best you can expect for this kind of work is that 25% of workers will do a satisfactory job. 75% will do a worthless job and charge you a fortune for it.

PM me to let me know what you find as far as windlasses and what kind of a reception you get from your yard.
 
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