I assume you are talking electric windlasses? I have a manual horizontal windlass (Simpson Lawrence 555) with rope and chain drums, came with the boat but not installed. Can't decide if I want it on the boat or not. I tend to think that unless you are pulling all-chain rode you can probably get by without.

I installed a 1000# class Lewmar Pro Series windlass on my 1989 C36 Mk1 about 3 years ago. This windlass is built entirely of 316SS, and will handle both 5/16 chain and rope rode. I have 170 ft of chain. Because I mounted the windlass under the deck, I do not have as much chain drop as I would like, and have to push the chain pile over two or three times while retreiving the anchor.
I built an aluminum frame that supports the windlass and transfers its heavy loads directly into the anchor roller frame. The installation required minimum boat modifications (a few bolt holes, and a hole for the wire).

I think I have attached some pictures. The pictures I have of the installation are too big to be accepted by this site, so I put them in a word document and from what I can tell they should be attached.

Gary Teeter
"AnnieG"
1989 C36 #966
Everett, Wa

We have a Maxwell 500 that did not have a chain gypsy, called Maxwell and they sold us a modification kit that added a gypsy. Not sure if this is your need, but I remember it cost near $800.00 and took about 4 hours for Spanki and I to modify. Hope this helps, Russ&Spanki

Maxwell makes a series called VW that have a chain gypsy and a capstan for rope, and that are suitable for horizontal installation in your anchor locker like your 500. They make a vw500, a vw1000 and bigger units. I would think the VW1000 would be the smallest unit that would work for a C36, but since you are already using the 500, you would be the best judge of that. They used to make a VW800, but that was discontinued.

--Nelson

Following up on a similar inquiry a few years ago I contacted the Maxwell rep. in Annapolis.

for about $700 he shipped me a modification kit that added a chain gypsy to my horizontal rope capstan to the Maxwell windlass that came standard on my '93 MkI (hull 1245)

easy installation

problem: in that the shaft is horizontal, the chain gypsy only grabs for 90 degrees of its circumfrance. While I have my right foot on the up button, I gently rest the sole of my left foot onthe top of the gypsy, otherwise the chain has a tendancy to slip.

were I to select a windlass for new installation, I'd opt for a vertical shaft, permitting links to be grabbing over 180 degrees of circumfrence.

\good luck
Brian Giersch
Encore, 1245

I hope you are wearing shoes, and even then that's a bit risky.

On our 1990 36. I presume the windlass is a Maxwell 500. As all I can see for info is Maxwell Nilsson which is on the rope capstan. I plan on putting it on Ebay and wanted to make sure I had the proper info. Is that the right model?

Randy