I am looking for advice on mounting a windlass on my O'Day 322. I am thinking that I will mount it on the forward part of the anchor locker hatch. Which I will cut and fasten to the existing sides of the well. Then cut out the existing well bottom about 12" back to make the well deep enough for chain & rhode to drop down. Making the existing plywood at the foot of the V-berth the bulkhead for the chain & rhode. Then reconfiguring the back portion of the existing hatch & well to hold bow lines ect. This seems like a lot of work. I am hoping someone who has done this has a better idea.
Windlass on a 322
- Thread starter NY BIMBO
- Start date
Where're you at on LI? I've a 322 I keep on a mooring in Mt Sinai. Thinking about a windless myself, as I'm not getting any younger.
The issues are the "lead" to the windlass (vertical or horizontal) for the anchor rode, the reinforcement of the windlass, and the "drop" of the retrieved line and/or chain.
If you have 20' of chain and the rest nylon rode, you have different issues than just (say) 6' of chain with rode; or, all chain.
Do you have an anchor roller on the your O'Day(s)?
A few pictures of the fore deck, the anchor "locker", etc. would be helpful. My initial reaction would be to suspect that mounting a vertical windlass AFT of the anchor locker hatch would be more likely -- but I don't remember the O'Day 32.
If you have 20' of chain and the rest nylon rode, you have different issues than just (say) 6' of chain with rode; or, all chain.
Do you have an anchor roller on the your O'Day(s)?
A few pictures of the fore deck, the anchor "locker", etc. would be helpful. My initial reaction would be to suspect that mounting a vertical windlass AFT of the anchor locker hatch would be more likely -- but I don't remember the O'Day 32.
I don’t have a good foredeck photo, but you can zoom in on this to get an idea of the foredeck on the 322.
There is a double anchor roller on the bow. But the anchor locker is a very shallow “pan”.
I don’t think you could mount a windlass without significant reinforcement. As the OP suggested, he would have to create a path to drop the rode down the inside of the bow (I assume to storage under the V berth).
The anchor locker hatch takes up a large portion of the foredeck, and there is precious little room aft of the anchor hatch and in front of the foredeck hatch.
Greg
There is a double anchor roller on the bow. But the anchor locker is a very shallow “pan”.
I don’t think you could mount a windlass without significant reinforcement. As the OP suggested, he would have to create a path to drop the rode down the inside of the bow (I assume to storage under the V berth).
The anchor locker hatch takes up a large portion of the foredeck, and there is precious little room aft of the anchor hatch and in front of the foredeck hatch.
Greg
Here are some photo's to assist your discussion. Yes, looks like significant reinforcement needed, and as Greg says, not much space in the forepeak, behind that bulkhead for the chain drop. Maybe you could squeeze a little one in in front of the anchor locker panel but not much drop room below it. I have seen some other boat designs, split the anchor locker door, rebuilding the front half as a sturdy permanent platform, with the back half still a hinged door to store incidental stuff.
Also see "Windlass on ODay 35' in the bigger boat section for several ideas.
Andre
Also see "Windlass on ODay 35' in the bigger boat section for several ideas.
Andre
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All thanks for the pics of the anchor locker... But seeing as I have the boat I know what it looks like and in fact have detailed measurements... I was looking for someone who had done a windlass on a 322 or boat with a foredeck hatch. Being a fairly competent sole and having the ability to measure/cut/reinforce/design..... I am ready to cut the forward part of the hatch, reinforce it, mount the unit, cut the existing bottom of the anchor locker, use the area forward of the existing bulkhead in the vee berth for the chain drop, and keep the aft portion of the existing anchor locker for bow line storage. Kind of a 60/40 split, keeping the aft 60% as hatched storage (retaining the existing bottom and adding a new bulkhead forward) and the forward 40% +/- as permanently fixed for the windlass. Under the deck will permanently fix the lower portion of the existing bulkhead in the vee berth and hinge the upper portion for access to the rode area and under portion of the windlass. It will drain to the bilge. Thinking that all chin will be less problematic than chain/line combo, I will go with all chain. Chain will not hold moisture like line, hence less chance of mildew stink... I will try to send fotos as this project progresses so others may benefit.
As a fellow O322 owner, I will be watching to see how it turns out. Please share as you move forward.
Do you plan to drop the chain into the area under the V-berth? You may be able to put a hawsepipe down the bow into that space. Probably should put a divider in there so the chain doesn’t end up all over the place.
Check the height of the gypsy and where the chain will ride. On my boat, I have to pull the rode almost at a 90 degree angle to the deck, or I hit the furler drum (usually if I am pulling up the anchor from a standing position. Not so much of a problem if I am sitting down.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Greg