Windlass on Catalina 270

[Marc Robic]

Hello all fellow sailboat lovers! I just purchased a Catalina 270 and would like to add a windlass. I am wondering if any other fellow 270 owner(s) have already done? And if so, which make and model? Any lessons learned that you can share, such as location, installation? Given your experience, would you still choose the same make and model? Finally, just curious as to which anchor style and weight you have? Thanks to any all who respond.

 

[Ken Boucher]

C 270

Hello all fellow sailboat lovers! I just purchased a Catalina 270 and would like to add a windlass. I am wondering if any other fellow 270 owner(s) have already done? And if so, which make and model? Any lessons learned that you can share, such as location, installation? Given your experience, would you still choose the same make and model? Finally, just curious as to which anchor style and weight you have? Thanks to any all who respond.

I have a 94 LE, bought in 2000. Has a fin keel. Great boat. Berthed in tampa, Florida. I don't have a windlass. I use a delta fortress and danforth. Just wish I had a wing keel ! Very stable.

 

[MORNING LIGHT]

Hi Marc, have Catalina 28 MK II and just purchased a Lewmar 1000 Pro. It's an horizontal model wich gives you more room down the anchor locker cause you need at least 12 inches clearance underneath to work properly. To figure the best way to install it, I checked on the web and found a huge variety of way to install it depending on anchor locker configuration. Good luck with your search!

 

[Marc Robic]

Hello Ben!! I know all about your windlass. Your wife sent me a picture. I guess you'll be installing it on deck?

 

[jrowan]

I'm assuming that you've tried to anchor out with your current anchor & rode? Because most sailors would not bother to install a windless on a boat that is smaller then 30 - 35 feet. But maybe you sailors use seriously heavy anchor & rode up there in Canada? It's been many years since my I sailed with my father around Prince Edward Island on your east coast. One of the most beautiful places we ever sailed.

 

[Meriachee]

Much heavier chain is required to stand up to the ice. ?

 

[LakeOntario270]

I have a windlass on my Catalina 270. His name is David.

 

[caguy]

I am in the process of installing one. I am using a mechanical windlass just behanid the anchor locker. I will modify the stripper so that it strips it a little later so that the rode and chain can be lead forward into the locker. I will try it out that way first I think it should work. I am only going to use the aft mounting holes for trial. It it work then I will add toe two front holes. If it doesn't work I will use the two holes int the front of the windlass and move it back the length of the windlass and use a hawser tube to feed it to the space under the V-birth. I am trying to avoid the Hawser because it will pass throught the forward sleeping compartment. There is a picture of one of the windlasses I picted up. Just finished painting it and it looks great.
Hauling 20' of chain up from 75' was getting old (or maybe I'm just gettimg old.)
I'll post pics later tonight.

 

[jrowan]

I would recommend avoiding the use of a hawser pipe also. If they are not well sealed, I have seen them completely rot out the deck core on older boats that have them, as the large hole allows the bow waves to penetrate the deck core. A friend's boat on my dock had such severe rot from a poorly sealed hawse pipe, that his deck bounced like a trampoline.

 

[Marc Robic]

I have a windlass on my Catalina 270. His name is David.

This is by far the best answer yet!! My reasoning is that even though my wife is often with me, I am often alone to do most of the onboard operations. A windlass with a remote would give me much needed flexibility to lower and raise from the helm. (Unless your send David to Montreal!!)

 

[Marc Robic]

I would tend to agree avoiding a hauser all together. As for other comments from fellow Cat270 owners, I spoke with Gerry Douglas, the designer of the Catalina in California and they said the Cat270 design had indeed designed the anchor well and bow design to accommodate an option windlass. In this case, a Maxwell 500 horizontal windlass. Maxwell no longer makes this model, but they recommend the

 

[LakeOntario270]

Just joking about my son David. When he is no longer around I too would love a windlass.

 

[Marc Robic]

Message for CAGUY, did you ever complete the installation? If so, will you post pictures and tell me(us) how it all worked out?

 

[Doug4bass]

I had a Fortress with 10' chain.....never felt that I needed a windlass.

 

[caguy]

Message for CAGUY, did you ever complete the installation? If so, will you post pictures and tell me(us) how it all worked out?

This is a copy of a previous post.

I finally mounted the manual windless on the C-27 and it works great. I had to remake the stripper so that it allows the rode to exit the front of the gypsy. That is the copper piece you see in the picture.
I need to redo the rode/chain splice because it skips (second video). I am going to have to slim down the tucks in the splice. Hopefully it will transition smoothly then.

I shortened the splice and it transitions beautifully now.

ShareThis

Attached Thumbnails