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Old 19-01-2025, 16:08   #1
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windlass installation need your suggestions

Hello everyone,

The VW800 windlass on my Hunter 1991 Legend 43 is getting quite old, and I’m planning a proper upgrade. I’m currently weighing my windlass options and could use some advice. I already have a new Lofrans Tigres horizontal windlass, but due to the unique shape and design of the chain locker (bow roller on the port side, vertical windlass installed horizontally, and chain sliding rather than dropping freely), I’m considering three potential paths forward:

1) Upgrade to a VW1000 or a similar vertical-horizontal windlass.
This seems like the easiest solution since I’ve seen others take this route. However, the primary issue remains—the chain won’t freely drop into the locker and would need to be manually guided to slide down into the chain well, which could lead to operational trouble. Additionally, I’m not aware of any other brands of vertical windlasses that can be mounted horizontally, so the VW1000 seems to be the only viable option.

2) Use the Lofrans Tigres windlass I already have.
This would require significant modifications, including installing a new starboard-side bow roller and relocating the windlass further forward on the bow. Challenges include the substantial weight of the Lofrans windlass combined with the chain and its large size, which might be difficult to accommodate. Additionally, the mounting plate for the windlass could obstruct access to the furler’s location.

3) Sell the Lofrans windlass and buy a vertical windlass to install vertically.
This would involve remodeling and installing the new windlass on the port side, allowing me to reuse the existing bow roller. However, I’m uncertain about the potential financial loss when selling the brand-new Lofrans windlass and the cost of a new vertical one.

If you were in my position, which option would you choose? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
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Old 19-01-2025, 16:22   #2
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Re: windlass installation need your suggestions

There is a lot to consider, but the first things I'd ask:

How many times a year do you anchor? That speaks to how much my answer will prioritize operational convenience over installation ease.

How big is your anchor?
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Old 19-01-2025, 21:59   #3
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Re: windlass installation need your suggestions

I currently have a 20 kg anchor and plan to replace the chain with 150–200 feet of G4 3/8" chain in the near future. I sail in the Pacific Northwest, along the coast of British Columbia, Canada. My optimistic goal is to sail year-round and spend the entire summer—three months—living on the water. However, as a newcomer to sailing, I’m still learning and working on fixing up the boat, so this plan is a work in progress.


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Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie View Post
There is a lot to consider, but the first things I'd ask:

How many times a year do you anchor? That speaks to how much my answer will prioritize operational convenience over installation ease.

How big is your anchor?
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Old 19-01-2025, 22:39   #4
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Re: windlass installation need your suggestions

However badly designed that setup might seem, it's going to be a lot of work, time, trouble and expense to re-engineer the chain locker to work better. I don't even see really how you could improve it, since the deep part of the chain locker is only in the very forward part, where it would be hard to get the windlass.

Therefore, if I were you, I would just use a VW1000 which should be (double check this) a drop-in replacement for the VW800. Maxwells are pretty good windlasses.

Even if your chain drops smoothly into the locker (as it should have been designed to do), note that on most boats you still have to flake the chain with your foot or a stick to keep it from piling up in a pyramid. So if it makes you feel any better -- some intervention when you're bringing chain back on board is a fairly normal part of anchoring a cruising boat.
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Old 21-01-2025, 22:11   #5
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Re: windlass installation need your suggestions

Thank you so much for your valuable suggestion, I just got confirmation from Maxwell's official customer service they said the plan is doable. Best regards
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Originally Posted by Dockhead View Post
However badly designed that setup might seem, it's going to be a lot of work, time, trouble and expense to re-engineer the chain locker to work better. I don't even see really how you could improve it, since the deep part of the chain locker is only in the very forward part, where it would be hard to get the windlass.

Therefore, if I were you, I would just use a VW1000 which should be (double check this) a drop-in replacement for the VW800. Maxwells are pretty good windlasses.

Even if your chain drops smoothly into the locker (as it should have been designed to do), note that on most boats you still have to flake the chain with your foot or a stick to keep it from piling up in a pyramid. So if it makes you feel any better -- some intervention when you're bringing chain back on board is a fairly normal part of anchoring a cruising boat.
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