Firtting Windlass on a Moody 29

[RobBrown]

I have just bought an old SL Hyspeed manual windlass and looking for any advice or tips in fitting this to my Moody 29. The main queries in my mind are:

(1) the possible problems created by the Angus Primrose "well" at the bow, meaning the chain drops down from the roller to the windlass . I thought a teak (or something similar)block for the windlass to stand on might be the way to go- but interested to hear any opinions if required & if so, what size. Also whether a chain stopper (pawl?) might help (eg down from roller, through the stopper & then up to the windlass.
(2) The Hawse pipe, which if left in situ means that the chain could not drop straight down off the windlass into the chain locker, as it is clearly designed to do. Trying it unmounted on the bow seemed to move the chain OK, but obviously not under any load. The hawse pipe does help prevent water ingress, so unsure about removing it.

Tried posting on MOA site first, but no joythus far, but there may be peeps on here who have come across same or similar issues on a boat with a bow well and no anchor locker?

 

[PetiteFleur]

Hi, on my Moody 33, the chain runs over the gypsy and then down an oval hole straight into the internal chain locker. The chain does run a slight downward angle from the stemhead roller, about 15º from memory but does not seem to cause a problem. From memory the oval 'hole' is a metal bit screwed to the wooden pad. Water can get in but any that does runs into the bilge. I've not noticed an excessive amount of water in the bilge because of this. The winch is mounted on a 3" thick wooden pad with a large internal backing pad which had obviously been glassed in when built. The chain locker is accessible from inside for inspection and clearing any snags. Hope this helps.

 

[RobBrown]

Re: Fitting Windlass on a Moody 29

Dick

Thanks for your comments, from that it looks as if some drop from the roller is OK, so I should be alright as long as any wood block gives sufficient height- I would guess 3" would equally be sufficient my case to get the angle down to your 15 degrees.

You are right about the oval hole- it is in integral part of the base on the HYspeed, lettting the chain fall vertically off the gypsy straight into the locker, but in that case it would mean a new opening through the bow well into the chain locker, as the original hole looks to be too far forrard even if I take the hawse pipe off. I might try a temporary fixing of the winch on a block first to see if it can operate with the existing pipe- keen to keep water out of the bilge if possible!