Windlass on a Sigma 36

[Marco]

I have a Sigma 36 with no windlass. The anchor locker is not very deep (about 40cm) and is self draining. I would like to fit a windlass but i believe the locker not to be deep enough even for a horizontal axis windlass. Even so, i'm not sure how to go about it.

Anyone with Sigma 36 windlass fitting suggestions?

[GordMay]

Your (16" - 400mm deep) lockermay not be deep enough to use a windlass effectively. Most manufacturers specify a minimum fall of 12"-16" (300 - 400mm).

See diagram: http://cruisersforum.com/photopost//...php?photo=1525

Some manufacturer references:
Ideal Windlass: http://www.idealwindlass.com/
Lewmar (Simpson Lawrence): http://www.ybw.com/lewmar/windlass.html
Lighthouse Mfg.: http://www.lighthouse-mfg-usa.com/
Lofrans (IMTRA): http://www.imtra.com/product/anchori...ms/lofrans.htm
Maxwell Marine: http://www.maxwellmarine.com
Muir: http://www.muir.com.au/
Vetus: http://www.vetus.com/anchor_windlass...windlasses.cfm

HTH,
Gord May

[Euro Cruiser]

Marco, does your Sigma have a forepeake, a space below the deck and forward of the forward cabin? If so, one option is to direct the chain fall to that locker (e.g. via PVC tubing). If it does not, another option is to route the PVC tubing direct to an area under the V-berth. Obviously, downflooding is an issue and you'll need a reliable, effective hawsepipe cover, but those are available retail. Also, remember that the farther back your chain falls and is stowed, the better for the boat's trim & performance.

Jack

[Marco]

The anchor locker is self draining and the idea of fitting a pipe to go below is something i wanted to avoid but i realize there is not enough drop as it is. I believe there is some space below the locker but not sure how much, i will have to try to mesure this. otherwise "below the V-berth" is the next option and there i'm sure there is enough space as i usually use it to store the spinnaker.

If i cut through, however, i'll bring additional water in, even if it is just the wet chain (assuming you never forget to plug the pipe), that little water will have to travel from the bow to the bilge. At the moment the boat is surprisingly dry as the mast is deck stepped and i have no leaks that i know of. This little water will give me wet bilges and increase the overall dumpness of the interior. It might sound silly in a hot country but over here we have to leave a dehumidifier permanently switched on in winter to fight it. (So far i have never seen a single drop of water in any of forward sections and can store things without worrying about mould).

I should also mention that fitting the windlass, drop problems apart, would be a considerable job as there is no shelf in the locker, the locker door is to week to mount the windlass and the solution they gave me is to cut the door in half along the fore to aft axis, fix this half and strenghthen it with fiberglass sheeting before fitting the windlass and so on...

I believe the solution i will adopt, for the time being, is to rebuild the roller, make it bigger, stronger, a little longer and with a chain pawl as described on this page:

http://www.l32.jbrems.dk/___Tiller_T...___anchors.htm

I am 27 at the moment, and should be able to cope with manual hosting for a while. Money is also an issue... a full-on solution will probably cost £2000+ including fitting, wiring, fiberglass work... while the new roller can be designed and built for a few hundred pounds (and a new roller is a plus even if i want to fit a windlass later).

Another consideration is that the more i read forums the more i realise how additional gear usually means having one more thing that can break... i'm a strong supporter of the KISS principle althogh i just yesterday invested in a monitor windvane (hence no money for the windlass).

Your thoughts welcome!

[swagman]

Even two years ago the Sigma 36 had a very strong race fleet and I'm sure with a 20 year old design, you'll find a member or two who has addressed this issue before now.
Sorry don't know contact detail - but you should be able to Google them.........
JOHN

[Marco]

I tried that route but as far as i know there no longer is a Sigma 36 class association.

I searched the internet everywhere and only saw a Sigma 362 with manual windlass on sale in Italy through a broker who was unable/unwilling to give further details... but even so i have a Sigma 36, not the 362 so i'd prefer info from a 36 owner...

All the Sigma 36 i have tracked down dont seem to have a windlass... which might just prove the difficulty in fitting one... or the fact that Sigmas were designed as cruisers/racers for uk waters where marina berthing would be far more common than anchoring.

Will keep on searching... but welcome your comments.

[tonyliv]

Hi Marco

I've just become the owner of a Sigma 36 with no windlass. Did you ever solve your problem?
Thanks,
Tony