New Ground Tackle Setup

[sailingdog]

I’ve finally gotten around to installing the ground tackle upgrade for my boat. I removed the original foredeck cleat and the starboard side chock, and have to get around to removing the port-side chock but can’t get my fingers past the bowsprit to do it yet.

The new ground tackle consists of a bow anchor roller, a windlass, two new 10" cleats and new bow chocks. It was a tight fit, but I did manage to get everything installed. I also installed stainless steel rubstrakes along both sides of the bow to help prevent chafe against the fiberglass.

The windlass is installed over where the original bow cleat was, which I’ve been told is cored with marine plywood instead of balsa. The base plate for the bow roller is mounted on a bed of thickened epoxy to level out the deck, and is effectively epoxied to the deck, along with being held down by three 3/8" stainless steel bolts.

All of the fastener holes were drilled oversized and then filled with System Three epoxy thickened with collodial silica. This is to help protect the deck core from water intrusion and to create a solid seat for the fasteners. I also backed each piece of hardware with a block of 5/4" composite deck material.

This should make using my primary anchor, which is a 15kg Rocna, a bit easier. I’m planning on installing the chainpipe into the deckplate that is visible. This should give me a relatively easy way to store the anchor rode, while keeping the deck relatively neat.

BTW, here’s a photo of the new setup. Sorry for the poor photo quality, but it was taken in relatively low light with a camera phone.

[TrueBlue]

Looks like a neat, although very compact installation SD - nice work. I'm wondering if more distance should have been allowed between the windlass gypsy and anchor roller. I presume the Rocna shank has been accurately prepositioned before drilling the holes.

The chain snubber could be secured to the starboard cleat OK and it could be the photo angle, but the roller to drum space appears a bit too tight - with little allowance for the chain shackle.

Do you plan on the hawse pipe being self-feeding - or will bow crew be needed to guide it while the helm windlass switch is activated? Although - I see what appears to be a foot switch at the windlass's base.

[sailingdog]

It is a bit tight, but due to the curvature of the fore deck as you go aft, this was really the best solution.

The pipe will have to be guided, but the windlass is manual, not powered, so someone will have to be forward with the beast anyways. I opted for a manual windlass, since the ground tackle setup isn't all that heavy, and I didn't want to add the weight of the motor, battery and cables that a power windlass would have required.

The rode is a combination of 5/16" G4 high-test chain and 5/8" nylon, so a snubber won't be needed most of the the time.

[Freesail99]

Sailingdog, nice work. How difficult is the windlass gypsy to operate ?

[Cruisingdad]

I don't like it. It takes up too much useful room that could have accomodated more solar panels. (smile).

- CD

PS Just kidding... looks nice.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Freesail99

Sailingdog, nice work. How difficult is the windlass gypsy to operate ?

Not difficult at all... stick a winch handle into it, and off you go.

CD-

It was a hard decision but, I decided to leave the solar panel arrays aft, where they're not as likely to be shaded by the sails... I do have plenty of space back there, after all, the boat is 18' wide...

[Cruisingdad]

Well, I guess if you were carefull, you could mount a solar stick there. Looks like you got just enough room. What about putting it on top of the winch so the whole unit spins?

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Well, I guess if you were carefull, you could mount a solar stick there. Looks like you got just enough room. What about putting it on top of the winch so the whole unit spins?

Nah, I'd have to take it down every time I wanted to tack or gybe the headsail... Unlike you, I don't have the fuel capacity to be motoring all the time.

[Cruisingdad]

Why would you take it down!!!!! Use the stick as a forestay!! The latest word on the street is that it will increase your sailing performance 300%!!

- CD

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Why would you take it down!!!!! Use the stick as a forestay!! The latest word on the street is that it will increase your sailing performance 300%!!

- CD

Watch it CD, you're beginning to sound like CJ... or LLL...