CD 33 Anchor Windlass Installation Ideas

[Paul D.]

Hello all,

Well now that I am fully made fast to my porch couch due to a blown out disc, I must contemplate adding a windlass to Femme. I've been able to avoid this for years and never had real trouble weighing our hefty 35lb CQR and chain but now I must consider the future when my boys won't be there to pull!

With the anchor locker, which I appreciate though think it could have a more beefy latch, the installation of a windlass presents issues of placement and a fair run for the rode. Any 33 owners out there with photos of their windlass placement would be appreciated. There's not much room for one within the locker but I believe it's been done. Below is a shot of ours as is.

All suggestions appreciated. I'd rather think about boat projects, even spectacular ones, than reality at the moment.

[Jeff and Sarah]

This is a project I've often considered. I too, have concerns about where best to place a windlass. I've often thought it would be best to just fiberglass in the anchor locker hatch to make it a solid part of the deck. It would be easy enough to cut and install a hatch from the v-berth into the locker in the forward bulkhead for access. Then that opens up the entire deck area above the locker to install a windlass where it fits best. The only remaining problem is the length of the anchor shaft- you need the windlass set far enough back to prevent the anchor shaft from hitting it before the anchor is at rest in the roller.

[Paul D.]

Yes, I've often thought one way would be an above deck mounted winch behind the locker 9bolts, backing plate and wiring in the V berth) with a chain lead back in to the aft end of the locker. That is where the best fall length is. But then you could only use it with the locker open.

Mounting it in the locker would be sweet but I wondered about having enough fall length. I wonder about the idea of glassing the hatch and mounting the windlass there. It would need to be really built up for strength and I like having that locker drain overboard and not to the bilge. Plus that issue with the anchor shank length you describe. I never agreed with my surveyor when he said it had too big an anchor for the boat. It is only that the stem wasn't really best designed for a bigger one. Strange, as the 30 and 36 always had stout set ups for anchor work.

Anyway, a conundrum that I am sure can be solved. More ideas please...

[Tom Keevil]

Paul, I'm really sorry to hear about your back, and wish you the best.

We installed a Lewmar Anchorman manual vertical windlass. It has been a great addition to the boat. Unfortunately, it is no longer available, though used ones show up on occasion.

a171 Anchor Windlass.JPG

You'll notice the gel coat is chipping where the chain runs out, and we now have a stainless rub strake there to take the abuse.

The major installation issue is that the windlass straddles the anchor locker bulkhead. This required two backing plates, one in the anchor well, and one in the V-berth. If you wanted to put in an electric windlass, that bulkhead would be a difficult challenge. You could set it farther aft, but then the chain wouldn't easily fall into the locker.

[Paul D.]

Thank you Tom for your kind words,

Yes that placement issue is the exact conundrum I refer to. Interesting you were able to precisely place the bolts either side of the bulkhead. Good measuring! I wonder if a windlass, mounted several inches aft of yours, and housed within the V berth, would work regarding the tailing chain feed into the locker. Since the bulkhead is a bit aft of the opening the fall from there should work. Do you have any fall issues with yours?

[tjr818]

How do you close that hatch? Our 27 dies not have a anchor locker and it is something I have always missed.

[Tom Keevil]

The fall of our chain is a bit complex. We actually store another anchor and two complete rodes in the well. Since we are often cruising for months pretty much out in the wilderness, we carry a backup anchor and rode. That backup is in the bottom of the well, covered with a sheet of semi-rigid plastic. The primary rode goes on top of that, so it does not have the full depth into which it can fall.

With this limited depth, the chain requires some help. When the 200' of nylon rode is all in, it is shoved forward to make room for the chain. When the pile of chain reaches the level of the deck it must be pushed over and aside to let another pile build up. We have 100' of chain which creates about four piles. I think that it would fall fine into an empty well, but I never have given that a try.

Tim, the hatch has two hinges one one side, and a latch to keep it closed on the other side. There is a channel molded into the deck which allows the chain to exit with the hatch closed. We have a locking mechanism on top of the hatch which holds the anchor in place, so it doesn't deploy itself in a heavy sea. The chain is wrapped around the windlass only when it being raised or lowered. At anchor it is held by a chain stopper, with a safety wrap around a cleat .

[mike ritenour]

Paul,
I looked at that proble for years and could not come up with a perfect solution, so I choose to just hump it.
A major problem was their ing run and proximity of the batteries supporting the winch.
So my solution was, When needed I use an anchor winch, I hooked a "cats paw" coupled to the proper length of line, to hook into the chain and then use a nearby sheet winch to haul it in bit by bit.
Worked for me for over 20 years!

[Paul D.]

Hey Rit,

Yes I've done that once, maybe twice but have always kept thinking of how a windlass would go in that area. Possibly I could go back to mostly nylon rode but you must admit that CD's were made for chain and chain makes CD's stay anchored!

You must send along some pictures of your new boat and of course share your plans. Hope to see you out in this neck of the woods sometime soon.

[MFC]

Sorry to hear the lousy news about your back Paul . . . discs don't get better but sometimes strengthening muscles around them does wonders. Sorry I have no suggestions regarding the windlass, just wanted to note that I have only hauled my anchor by hand a couple of times in calm weather and tried it a couple of times with either a current running or in a blow and can't imagine regularly doing so. I recall almost losing a finger trying to raise my anchor by hand in a strong current in Taylor Creek . . .. I am sure there is a technique you all use that I need to learn . . . that is one of a handful of missing skills that occasionally make me wonder what I am doing on the water! :O
Best,
Matt

[mike ritenour]

Ahoy Paul,
unfortunately plans have changed. Sue got promoted, which changed her summer off time. Result, no Superior.
heading south in mid sept.. Will do the Great Chesepeake Schooner Race 10 to 15 Oct, then head south to FL.
look me up on facebook. many pics of "Moonbeam".
"LaVida" is now with a Canadian family up near Port Hope. She should be headed South in a couple of years.
Might see her next week as we sail to Canada for some work being done on the rigging.
have crew berths available this fall......just saying