I am planning on using a vertical windlass mounted at the aft-most section of the anchor locker. One of the reasons I want a bulkhead that mirrors the factory fore-peak bulkhead, that is, a vertical bulkhead is so that the rode falls to the deepest point in that space while also being as aft as possible. Because the windlass is aft, the windlass motor should end up in the space aft and above this vertical bulkhead. Sealed and glassed, then cut from the inside, the windlass motor will be inside the hull, away from the elements, which is one of the major problems with Mr. Reeds installation.
Why not use a horizontal windlass? I've yet to see one that can use a rope/chain rode, the horizontals all seem to use all-chain. I'm not willing to put that much weight in the bow of my E38, that fine hollow bow simply doesn't have the buoyancy for that.
Regarding the rode-hatch clearance issue I admit, this is a problem, but not an insurmountable one. One way is to do it the "Catalina way" and have a hump or tunnel in the hatch that allows it to close over the rode stretched out between the windlass and the anchor. The other way is simply procedural. When the anchor is stowed, the hatch is blocked, since the rode is tight. To deploy the anchor, it may be done with the hatch open or closed. Simply pay our some scope, enough to open the hatch, then deploy the anchor with the hatch open. Once the hook is set, and a snubber taking the load, or the rode cleated on a bow cleat, there is as much slack as needed to close the hatch again. I would imagine having the hatch open is the smart thing to do as if the rode snarls, it becomes much more difficult to slack enough to open it after the fact.
Just some thoughts. RT
Why not use a horizontal windlass? I've yet to see one that can use a rope/chain rode, the horizontals all seem to use all-chain. I'm not willing to put that much weight in the bow of my E38, that fine hollow bow simply doesn't have the buoyancy for that.
Regarding the rode-hatch clearance issue I admit, this is a problem, but not an insurmountable one. One way is to do it the "Catalina way" and have a hump or tunnel in the hatch that allows it to close over the rode stretched out between the windlass and the anchor. The other way is simply procedural. When the anchor is stowed, the hatch is blocked, since the rode is tight. To deploy the anchor, it may be done with the hatch open or closed. Simply pay our some scope, enough to open the hatch, then deploy the anchor with the hatch open. Once the hook is set, and a snubber taking the load, or the rode cleated on a bow cleat, there is as much slack as needed to close the hatch again. I would imagine having the hatch open is the smart thing to do as if the rode snarls, it becomes much more difficult to slack enough to open it after the fact.
Just some thoughts. RT