Windlass on a Hunter 28.

[Deparlocean]

I have a Hunter 28, and I want to install a manual windlass just behind the anchor chain hatch.
I need to know what type a material I will be drilling through to install it. Is it balsa between layers of fiberglass, or is it solid wood?
Thank you all for your answers.

 

[Terry Cox]

Very quiet thread, Marc. Our first boat was a 1989 H28. Nice cruiser. Kept her three years before we upgraded to our current boat. Everyone has reasons for doing things to their boat, but installing a windlass on our boat was not one of them. Always seemed pretty easy to bring up the anchor by hand.

As far as your question, unsure. Hunter cored most of their boat decks with marine grade plywood. I suppose it would be strong enough to handle a windlass as long as you included a large backing plate underneath from inside the boat to spread the load. Depending upon where you locate the windlass you may need to cut through some cabin liner to expose the underside of the deck. Also make sure you install a good weatherproof seal between the windlass base and the deck. Whatever holes you drill through the deck, I always apply a liberal amount of sealant to the sides of the hole to help prevent moisture from seeping into the exposed core. Hope this helps.

 

[Red_Dog]

I own an '86 28.5.
As far as the windlass is concerned, I've looked into a couple of power windlass' and winches. I know at some point my back is going to tell me, "No, I'm not pulling anchors by hand."
The powered versions all required a hole through the deck for the motor and electrical hook ups. A significant intrusion in the V-berth as well. How much of an intrusion, hole require for a manual I'm unsure of.
As to the deck, I recently cut four 4" holes through my cabin top for mushroom vents. Yes, the cabin top is cored with plywood. the exterior of the ply is built up to about a 1/4" of of fiberglass and the interior side to about an 1/8". This would lead me to believe the deck is done the same way.
Alec