Windlass project

[Angel D.]

Hello Friends , hope everyone is well .
Here is a couple pictures of my windlass install on Yiyi.




First step was removing the core on the hatch of the anchor tray , then beef it up with glass and honey comb to give it structure. Then made some PVC mount to follow the encumber and sit the machinery





After it was line up it was time to make the holes and set up the top hatch.




When it all line up was a happy day and the encumber PVC work perfect ,... after a lot of sanding and try outs that is.









The bottom side has also a three quarter inch PVC base and aluminum plate quarter inch thick . Extra structure made by soaking lines on resin and molded with thickened resin.








Took the chance to upgrade the cleats with a better backing plate .... the upgrade is substantial and very happy with it.







Only the outside is accessible but is a great improvement . I think they are better now.





Then sand up all the edges and thickened resin all around the edges. Note that the windlass was installed on the lid before it . This way only need to get inside the locker for wiring the motor, and that motor is not light . Also the U bolt that used to hold the chain was really strong , so I use it on deck and it goes trough the aluminum plate as well.





The wire was done and a quarter inch plexiglass was used to keep the chain to open the door access to the locker .

 

[Angel D.]

Finished product is not as fancy but functional .






My advise to anyone who wish to try this ,... installing a windlass wile costal cruising and been at anchor is not an easy task . But pulling the anchor by hand is worse.

 

[Angel D.]

I forgot ... also installed a switch at the helm pedestal

 

[driftless]

Nice job!
Did you just epoxy the anchor hatch closed?
Similar to how I installed mine in regards to positioning and function. I made some different choices for the below deck structure though. Will try to share those soon.

 

[Angel D.]

Yes , I did seal the hatch down. Still able to reach from the v-birth. I needed the gear functional assap.And this work out for me and my humble sailor budget. Looking forward to see your project details Driftless.

Nice job!
Did you just epoxy the anchor hatch closed?
Similar to how I installed mine in regards to positioning and function. I made some different choices for the below deck structure though. Will try to share those soon.

 

[mjsouleman]

Nice work Angel. looking forward to getting a review of the installation at the September meeting.

 

[Nick M]

Interesting setup. I've thought of doing something similar. Nice to see others have installed it this way.
Did you remove the orginal anchor locker pan?
Did you fiberglass the bulkhead?
How is your access in the event the chain castles?

 

[southofvictor]

Nice job Angel! An upgrade to an electric windless is working its way up my to-do list. I’ve been on light duty since emergency eye surgery last Thanksgiving. Pulling with the manual windlass is at the limit of Chris’s strength some days, and it’s probably becoming a safety issue as we both age.

Has anyone out there found a practical way to split the locker hatch to maintain access to the locker space? I can’t recall seeing it done that way in any of the threads here, but I’ve seen other boats with split hatches.

 

[Kenneth K]

Has anyone out there found a practical way to split the locker hatch to maintain access to the locker space?

Here's one (see post #52)...

Windlass Installation for Ericson 32-III [Master Thread]

That would be very practical (and logical) If one can get at the hose clamp, then the shell that comprises the anchor well in the 32-3 could be removed reasonably easily (to check/maintain bow deck hardware attachments) - if you can break the 5200 seal under its lip.

ericsonyachts.org

 

[southofvictor]

There we go, thanks for rewarding my laziness!

 

[Second Star]

A very nice installation. WRT removal of the pan, I would think that any partial hatch would have to be very watertight as rain or sea breaking over the bow would eventually fill the anchor locker (if it was isolated from the bilge) or the bilge in general. I would be inclined therefore to make said hatch into more of a bolted down plate that could be removed with some effort but otherwise very secure with good gaskets and sealing. Mariah's arrangement looks very workable.

 

[Christian Williams]

Master threads on windlass topic (for the record) :

Windlass Install 1 https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/ericson-windlass-installation-master-thread.14903/
Windlass Install 2 https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/windlass-installation-for-ericson-32-iii.3464/

 

[Angel D.]

Interesting setup. I've thought of doing something similar. Nice to see others have installed it this way.
Did you remove the orginal anchor locker pan?
Did you fiberglass the bulkhead?
How is your access in the event the chain castles?

Hello Nick ...

I did remove the locker pan out . No fiber glass to the Bulkhead but all the lid was glassed up with multiple layers. I cut it open , removed the core , added honey comb and a couple layers of glass after. Plus strainers and a quarter inch aluminum plate 2ft by 2ft.

I did was concerned of the chain to castle but it never has so far. But in the event of it happening is accessible by the Bulkhead door and also the line that attach the chain to the Bulkhead in case I need to cut it and tie a ball on the chain to set the boat free. Of course that would be an emergency.

So far set up been great.

Fair winds friends !