I'm looking at installing a windlass this year prior to a cruise and have found several great articles on that subject. But, all that I have found refer to running wiring from the house or dedicated batteries located in the saloon area. Something like 30+ feet (round trip) of 2ga to 0ga depending on the equipment. I am wondering why no one puts a dedicated battery in the bow locker? Seems that the wiring would be much simpler and shorter. A smaller charger could be added there as well to keep that battery topped off when needed.
What am I missing?
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Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP
I wanted to go that route on my previous boat, but decided against it because it would add even more weight to the bow. After adding the roller furler, 200 feet of chain and another 300 feet of nylon rode plus the weight of the windlass itself I worried the prop would come out to the water if I added a battery to that mix!
Henk Hiensch
Mar Y Sol
1984 Catalina 36
Hull# 379 Universal M25
Ladysmith, BC
Your point is well taken and a good idea. One Catalina 36 I saw when shopping, had a seperate battery and charger for windless operation. The AGM battery and charger were located at the bottom of the closet in the forward 'V' berth.
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
It’s not necessary. I linked my windlass to the engine start battery amidship and it has worked well for 15 years. You are not going to use the windlass without running the engine anyway
Enrique
Talisman
1998 36 MK2 Hull #1673
Tall Rig Wing Keel
M35BC engine
Old Saybrook, CT Summer
South Glastonbury, CT Winter
Somewhat rare, but I do run my windlass without the engine. I like having the option.
With that said, I only have 2 batteries (on a 1-2-both switch) - and solar - always leave it on both. Factory installed windlass, run to the same batts.
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
Bakerha,
I also plan on installing a Windlass and have every intention to install the battery under the v-berth, I am curious, what make windlass did you decide on and where do you plan on mounting it. I ask because I am considering mounting inside the anchor locker.
Ed Dewsnap
Marion, MA.
Ed Dewsnap
Marion, MA
1984 Catalina
Thanks for all the replys. One thing I was considering is the weight of all that copper wire running to the bow from the game table seat area where my house batteries are installed. My starting battery is further aft so didn't think that was a good option. A smaller Deep Cycle battery in the bow would only weigh in at about 55lbs. And the reduced wire size and weight will nearly compensate for that. I agree that adding the windlass, chain, battery, etc does start to add up. But, Like Leslie, I don't have a bow water tank and that helps.
The windlass I want to install is the Maxwell RC8-8 but still deciding whether to go with the Capstan model or not. The capstan would be great for raising my jib but that is only once a year and I'm not sure I want a hole in my anchor locker lid. The windlass would be installed on the small shelf inside the locker allowing that lid to close and the motor to be mounted inside the v berth behind that back panel. There are some great articles on this web site for those.
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Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP