I guess I started this thread in the wrong category ... but anyway, after reading all the past and recent threads on the subject, I think I like Tom Metzger's approach on his E34 the best...although I don't like the head banger option in the V-berth.
What I'm now thinking is to use a similar windlass but mount it in a box in the aft end of the E38 anchor well. The available windlasses from Lewmar (including the Simpson Lawrence line), Lofrans and Quick will all fit. The biggest of the bunch is the Quick which measures 155 mm deep in the 'hunk that hangs down' dimension. The others are smaller in this dimension. The anchor well in my boat measures 7" deep (in the center, more towards the edges) or about 175mm in that dimension so I have 20mm or so to play with even if I select the Quick.
I think it probably should be mounted in a box to help keep moisture away from the motor and protect the wiring connections from other metal flopping around in the well. I have the idea that I could find a piece of 6x6 square aluminum tubing? box frame member? and mount the windlass motor inside it, bolt it to the rear edge of the anchor well and bolt it through the floor of the well ... this would provide very strong corner-wise reinforcing. Worst case would be a few bolt heads visible in the V-berth. Another thought would be to fabricate the box in epoxy-glass but I like the box beam better.
On the top of this box beam, I would add thickness shims using starboard or similar to bring the gypsy part of the windlass up to deck level (within the deck thickness parameter of the winch installation) Then I would 'notch' out the back of the anchor well hatch cover to accomodate the protruding gypsy and starboard base plate.
Also the gypsy would be offset to the port side of the well since the anchor chain could then feed straight to the port side of the gypsy (my anchor roller is angled to the starboard side of the forestay chainplate and so that's the fairest lead aft) ... this also allows the off feeding chain plenty of room to the starboard side of the well to stack up or be managed by hand.
On the negative side ... This installation would require some management of the chain by hand (or foot) during the hauling operation. I would deploy the anchor as I always have ... by hand, I think. It is also somewhat assymetrical with the gypsy offset to port some.
On the plus side, the windlass would be under the anchor well cover except for the gypsy part similar to Tom's but farther forward and I don't need to modify the well itself except to drill holes for wiring. The chain, rode, etc would still stow in the usual way, laying on the floor of the well. No mess inside the forepeak, oozing stuff into the bilge. Also the chain gets a 180 degree plus wrap on the gypsy.
I'm working on drawings of all this but I don't have a CAD program so PowerPoint will have to do... it may me take a while to actually get this project underway.
I'll keep you posted and I'd like to hear what you think.
Capt Ron