Outboard Trawler Windlass
June 23, 2023
Boat Work:
Over the last couple of days, I've been busy with preparations for the windlass installation.
After determining the exact location, I removed the hawse pipe and the nonslip coating in that area. Then I drilled holes for the 4 mounting bolts.
The mounting pad didn't sit flat on the curved deck. Using chalk, I imprinted the areas that were 'high' and sanded those areas until the pad sit flat.
I set the pad into a bed of thickened epoxy. The next day, I painted the pad, along with the cleats and pass-through pad that we attached to the cabin top for the new solar panel installation. Two coats of 2-part polyurethane the same colour as the deck and cabin.
Under the deck, reinforcement was needed in the 1/2" deck.
Yesterday, because 2 of the bolts came directly through a partial bulkhead, I double up the deck beam with a left over section we had in the basement. Another bolt came through an existing backing pad. I created an additional backing pad for the 4th bolt.
I used jack stands and 2X3 lumber to clamp the pads to the deckhead while the adhesive cured.
Today, I over-drilled the bolt holes slightly, applied 2 coats of clear epoxy to the inside of the holes and re-drilled for the bolts once it hardened.
I used polysulfide as a bedding compound for the unit and 3M 4000 adhesive sealant under the bolt heads.
Getting the hawse pipe to fit under the slotted edges of the pad was quite a trick but necessary because I wanted to use the same hole for the chain. Donna and I worked together to finalize the installation. In the photo below, where there was no room for a screwdriver, she is using a driver bit with a vice-grip attached in order to access one of the screws for the hawse pipe.
Donna hasn't been idle. These last few days, when she's not lending me a hand, she's sanding, varnishing and painting. See next blog for details.
It was a very good day and we are both quite happy that another big item is off our list.
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