Weighs a ton - hard to get at

[gjordan]

Spread your chain out until it is as a close to flat as you can get it and lay a piece of thick plywood on it to use for a jack base. Just a thought. Grant.

[Terra Nova]

With a long enough lever you can lift the world.

[Dash-Robo]

Not the best answer but works I recently removed reconditioned and replaced Nilsen Capstan Winch
Plenty of fenders and board
Lay in the fenders pack the top with a drop sheet and lay in a board to create a flat base
pack from there raise or level

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by Cherp

Hello Sailors,

Twice this year I have been in a situation where I needed to offer up a heavy piece of machinery to a higher fitting. The first time was lifting a rebuilt autopilot drive to its fitting, which of course was in a very awkward place. The second was trying to offer a heavy anchor winch motor/box to the drive shaft for the winch gypsy, which is above deck. In both cases forearms like a gorilla would have been useful, but I don't have them. In both cases, the hull of the yacht the "floor" was of irregular shape. With the pilot I managed to use lots of pieces of wood and some wedges to finally get it to the spot where it connected, but I could not manage that with the anchor winch drives. No amount of different shaped and sized bits of wood would provide a flattish floor in the anchor locker because of its compound angles. Is there some sort of tool people use for these situations - like a jack with tripod feed that you can lengthen or shorten? Or is it just a case of plug on until your forearms break or you make the connection?

Give me a fulcrum and lever and I can move the world.

Another option is to suspend with lines and wind a tourniquet (or two) to draw it up.

[psk125]

When our Volvo was totaled, I pulled the jack (a scissors style) out of the trunk and kept it. Its small footprint has been very useful for lifting heavy things in tight spots.

[Kenomac]

Judging by the answers received, am I the only one on this forum who’s actually climbed into a chain locker, flat on my back lying on chain and contorted, and replaced a windlass motor? Absolutely none of these theories presented will ever work in real life.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

From the answers received, am I the only one on this forum who’s actually climbed into a chain locker, flat on my back lying on chain and contorted, and replaced a windlass motor? Absolutely none of these theories presented will ever work in real life.

Bolloxcs, 3 philipionos could have done it in twice the time without you having to visit a chiropracter afterwards,and told that you need to have an enama for anal retention

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by atoll

Bolloxcs, 3 philipionos could have done it in twice the time without you having to visit a chiropracter afterwards,and told that you need to have an enama for anal retention

There’s barely enough room in the chain locker for one Philipino. The reason I did it, was because no one else would or could fit in there with the motor and some tools. Fenders too? Yeh right.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Judging by the answers received, am I the only one on this forum who’s actually climbed into a chain locker, flat on my back lying on chain and contorted, and replaced a windlass motor? Absolutely none of these theories presented will ever work in real life.

Hey Kenomac, been there more times than I care to recount, but if the OP can’t physically rely on the Armstrong method,
alternatives are required.

Levers can work for just about anything. I often use them for lifting engines a tad to change mounts when a chain hoist isn’t available.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Hey Kenomac, been there more times than I care to recount, but if the OP can’t physically rely on the Armstrong method,
alternatives are required.

Levers can work for just about anything. I often use them for lifting engines a tad to change mounts when a chain hoist isn’t available.

Fair enough, I’m sure you have.

[a64pilot]

If your in the US, you can rent a transmission jack, depending on conditions of course.
I used a soccer ball and a pump to pick up my motor to change the engine mounts, then found a strong price of oak floor flooring was actually easier.
Yes Ken, I installed my windlass as there was none in my little boat, however there is room for both of us up there, and yes it was awkward.
All this stuff is tight and tough to get at, when I install, that is my number one concern, how hard is it going to be to remove?
I’ve had to cut off hose clamps, cause you could tell the were installed prior to the pump being installed etc.
This is why it’s called Boat Yoga.

[Maka]

Hire the job out to a pro is my recommendation.

[jimbunyard]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Judging by the answers received, am I the only one on this forum who’s actually climbed into a chain locker, flat on my back lying on chain and contorted, and replaced a windlass motor? Absolutely none of these theories presented will ever work in real life.

(Obviously) Absolutely none of these (suggestions) theories presented will ever work in (your) real life...

Sure wish we were all smart as you...

[Cherp]

Well, the winch is back together. I got in the anchor locker this morning for one last try and failed to lift it into place. This afternoon, my arms are shaking a bit, so I gave it a red hot go. So I went and asked the local shipwrights if they could help. The owner came to the boat, hopped in the locker and lifted it into place. I reached in and put in the bolt that holds it in place. It must have taken him all of ten minutes to size it up and press it upwards into place. He said if he failed, there was a really strong shipwright in his crew who would do it. So it looks like in the ladder of strength, I am at the bottom. Mind you, I'm also 68. Also, another man told me the shipwright who did the task was also a former State champion kick-boxer and was a strong man. So there you go.....thanks to all for the tips and suggestions. There are some good ones among them and I will use them in future for this or other horrible tasks. Cheers....

[RaymondR]

On the anchor winch motor problem.

Pass a couple of cords down through the deck mounting through opposite bolt holes and then down to eyes screwed into the gearbox mounting holes. This will allow you to pull the motor and gearbox up under the deck and fix it there. Then screw a couple of appropriate length all threaded rods down into two of the other holes and put nuts on the top. You can now remove the ropes and eyes and use the rods to lift the motor and gearbox into position to install a couple of the proper bolts.