Electric Windlass installation

  • August 13, 2013 4:23 PM
    Message # 1364577
    Deleted user
    Does anyone have experience with installing a Lighthouse 1501 windlass on a 32?

    I am trying to design a layout primarily for the vertical windlass motor that fits down through the deck and extends into the chain locker. Even though the windlass is horizontal, the motor needs approximately a 2" diameter hole through the deck to extend down approx. 1.5'. I want to replace my wooden bowsprit with a SS box and install the Lighthouse on top of the bowsprit. Don't know if this is possible yet.

    Thanks, 
    Dan
    Mithrandir #310
  • August 13, 2013 6:44 PM
    Reply # 1364657 on 1364577
    Hi Dan,If you haven't replaced your bowsprit yet it might be a perfect time to go with the tubular design like on the 42's and 43's. Otherwise it could get interesting ... I suppose you could have a longer drive connection made that would put the motor below the deck, but you would still have to deal with getting it through the sq. tube of the bowsprit.
    I don't see an easy answer to that one... let us know what you decide.

    Sorry to miss the rendezvous but the timing just didn't work this year.

    Steve
  • August 13, 2013 7:59 PM
    Reply # 1364702 on 1364577
    Deleted user
    Hi Steve,

    Good to hear from you too, and yes, we missed you folks at this year's Rondy, but we understand.

    I believe Lighthouse has an optional longer shaft. When I nail down the correct dimensions, i plane to fab and weld a plate that fits the 1501's footprint and locate a 2" dia. hole for the shaft to pass through the SS box. The 2" diameter hole will have a tube welded in place so that no water will ingress into the box.

    Please feel free to chime in with any ideas. i would even go as far as asking if you wouldn't mind coming up my way to help me sort this out. i could make it worth your while. Anyway, just a thought.

    Take care,
    Dan "Mithrandir" #310
  • August 14, 2013 8:34 AM
    Reply # 1365025 on 1364577
    Deleted user

    Hi Steve,

    Just a follow-up to your response; I called Lighthouse and they do provide custom shaft lengths. They're going to look in their archives to find previous W32 customers that have had similar installations.

    Take care,

    Dan

  • August 14, 2013 8:57 PM
    Reply # 1365592 on 1364577
    The more I think about this the more I like it! 
    If I remember correctly Jim's samson posts go through the deck and are bolted to the bulkhead just like the wooden ones, I chose to do it a bit differently... mine are welded to a plate that is part of the mount for the whole assembly and there are no penetrations through the deck except the chain pipes and mounting bolts. The bedding for the samson posts was a continual source of leaks so I eliminated them!

    There is no reason the sprite has to be made just like all the others! Maybe tapered... widen it out a bit to mount the windless and narrow it a bit on the end to save a bit of weight...

    A round penetration with a tube welded vertical in the square tube for the drive shaft to pass through should be no problem as far as strength is concerned as it is primarily a compression load. 
    The other question is will the motor location which will be determined by the chain pipe location fit in front of the bulkhead... I suppose one could always make a cutout for it if need be though.

    More later... back to work!
    Steve




  • September 02, 2013 6:15 AM
    Reply # 1379676 on 1364577
    Deleted user
    Hi Steve,

    I've been exploring ways to secure the bowsprit to the deck and I'm curious about taking a second look with how you did yours. Is it possible for you to send some photos with different angles?

    Dan
  • September 02, 2013 9:36 AM
    Reply # 1379793 on 1364577
    I'll check my computers here and see what I can find, otherwise I'll take some next time I'm up to the boat.

    Steve
  • September 03, 2013 12:52 PM
    Reply # 1380778 on 1364577
    Anonymous
    Lots of photos of how we secured our bowsprit without the posts through the deck here: 

  • November 15, 2013 2:58 PM
    Reply # 1439443 on 1364577
    Deleted user
    Hi Tate,

    Thank you so much for the post and photos of the process you went through to install your new SS bowsprit. I purchased the same from Bud, therefore, I will soon be in the same boat, well uh, my boat.

    Best to you,

    Dan McCaughan, Mithrandir #310
  • November 15, 2013 3:22 PM
    Reply # 1439451 on 1364577
    Anonymous
    Dan, 

    Glad we could help.  Good luck on your install!