Windlass in a tight space
Posted by Spiggots@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Folks!
I'm doing some work on my 1989 Cal 33, and am contemplating adding a windlass. But I could use some advice / perspective on fit.
Pictures show the overall layout up top - a big, shallow locker, maybe at most 10-12" deep - and below in the V.
I'm thinking options might be: 1. Maybe build a shelf in the anchor locker, with a cutout for the locker cover? 2. Maybe a vertical windlass could be mounted all the way up front, immedietely behind the anchor roller, so that the windlass motor passes into the chamber forward of the V-berth, but the chain and rods are passed into the anchor locker.
Or is a windlass just not really feasible here? Appreciate any thoughts on this.
insanisprimero@reddit
I've installed a few in different boats, the lockers are always too shallow and you need to extend the depth not only for the motor to fit but to allow the chain leg room as it builds up. We made a triangular mold for a part that fits most boats. Sometimes we are lucky and it fits in all in the foward chamber, sometimes it interesects with the berth and you have to modify the carpentry. You also need to make a new lower drain, but it's a secure watertight solution.
uglymans_pants@reddit
This is the answer. That is a pretty stonking nice install. Great job.
Least-Physics-4880@reddit
Use a chain hook on a line to a winch on your mast.
BBHCHS@reddit
I think the first question is why do you want a windlass. Is it something you really need or is it something that you just want?
I’m definitely a member of the less is more school and have owned 4 boats over the last 30 years between 30 and 40 feet—- and have never used a windlass. My current boat is a Catalina 34 with a beautiful windlass on board that I have never once used.
Almost all my sailing in that period has been between Cape Cod and the Bahamas on the East Coast of the US and I’ve been using anchor rides much like I see in your photo— Heavy line, 10 to 15 feet of chain, and a nice anchor. Even on heavy days with a fair amount of breeze, I’ve always handled recovering the anchor by hand. I’m about 6’2” and 190 and I’ve always found my weight, not so much my strength, has been more than adequate to bring the rode in. Just take it in hand and lean backwards.
Obviously, your experience may differ and certainly the anchor rode and cruising grounds you will be using factor into your decision, but I encourage you think long and hard before you spend the time and money and hassle of installing and maintaining a windlass.
That money could buy you at least one really nice new sail!
Just my two cents…. And I’ll feely admit that once you hit 40 feet or so, a windlass is probably necessary.
Spiggots@reddit (OP)
Good points, thanks.
When we anchor currently yes there is no obstacle just pulling her up by hand.
But - the real issue - I've got a shit back, and something about hauling it up seems to speak directly to its bad points.
And the use case issue is that we typically would like to just anchor briefly for lunch and stuff like that, where it's not even like I need that much line out. But I find the effort and concern leads me to avoid anchoring, which is a bummer, or to do it less than I would if I wasn't anticipating fighting it out on the foredeck.
So it's a case where I feel the convenience will add functionality, if we can make it work. If not no big deal; as I said, it's not like we can't just keep hauling it up.
BlackStumpFarm@reddit
We’re faced with a similar situation on our C&C 29 - no obvious or easy place to install a windlass. Until you figure out your windlass plan, you might consider carrying what we call our “lunch hook” - a small, light folding anchor with only about 20 feet of chain and its own rode.
windsostrange@reddit
lass is more
BBHCHS@reddit
Sorry to hear about your back… that kind of stuff it’s just hard to break free of I just came from a gathering with a bunch of my college friends and we’re all thinking we gotta make sure we take care of ourselves as we age!
Spiggots@reddit (OP)
Cheers, appreciate it.
It's super annoying but you'd be amazed how much good stretching, yoga, and exercise can help.
Just trying to take it easy on it with the windlass lol
djroot2@reddit
I have an 87 Cal 33 and have been contemplating the same. Definitely post updates if you come up with something.
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit
Shelf in the anchor locker (build it strong!), and a windlass with a horizontal cat head. Motor will stick down, you may lose some foot room in the V berth
Spiggots@reddit (OP)
I think this would be the ideal, if we can make it work.
Happy to lose v-berth headroom to a motor. But wouldnt a horizontal have the motor on the shelf in the anchor locker?
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit
Sorry, theres some confusion on terminology here. In this case the drive shaft should be vertical, which makes the chain windlass part (cat head) rotate horizontally. Chain enters from one side, leaves on the other side.
Shop around a little and make cardboard mockups of the shelf and the windlass options. You can get windlasses where the motor points in different directions or can be rotated. Find the best configuration, and don't forget to save a spot nearby on a bulkhead for the solenoid pack/controller.
Just a small note here from someone who has installed a lot of these: if your boat is 12v you may consider adding a dedicated bank forward for the windlass instead of running cables from your house bank. The voltage drop is massive, and the cables sometimes have to be really big. 4/0 marine cable is easily $25/ft, and a 30ft run (2 cables) can end up much more expensive and sadly also less powerful than just putting in a starting battery or 2 under the bed.
Spiggots@reddit (OP)
Gotcha, I think you're describing what they market as a vertical windlass. Bear with me if I'm being pedantic about it because I'm just trying to be sure I understand clearly.
Good point on an extra battery bank. But how do you keep it charged? Either way won't I be running a big cable a long way? Or is the idea that the charging cable doesn't draw as much current as the windlass itself so it can be smaller.
Appreciate your help!
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit
Charging cable can be much smaller. The difference is a 12v 60a load requires massive cable. But a charger can be #8 or #10 as it is only bringing in 10a or so max.
Another way of handling the heavy loads here is to install an ACR in a way so the windlass only works when the engine is running. Still need big cables but the low power issues go away.
Its a math problem, use the ABYC voltage drop tables to see how big the wires need to be
yoyo_climber@reddit
Last option, it's not feasible. too little vertical depth.
bhamsailfish@reddit
Ericson yachts above 32 feet and built in the late 1980’s have the same issues — shallow anchor pan that protrudes into the v berth. Search ericsonyacht.org to see how others have solved this.
FalseRegister@reddit
What I've heard from owners of similar boats to mine was that they put an windlass under locker, then an exhaust hose to let the chain go down, all the way to the space under the cabin berth. A hole had to be made from the chain locker to the berth locker, to allow for the chain to pass. That way there is space for more chain. Could work for you.
Spiggots@reddit (OP)
Interesting, thanks! I think that wouldn't be ideal for us because we have our black water tank under the berth; and, forward of the berth is not sealed, so passing chain through there will inevitably be stinky.