Riviera Windlass Project

[SunsetSteve]

Too damn old and weak to pull it (the anchor) up along with a ton of weeds and all the newbie boaters are taking up the docks at the park islands. No fun boating in a local cruising ground without being able to easily stop for a swim. So I have decided to install a windlass . . . but so few Riv 28s have them! And with a limited budget (as a Riv owner) I will have to install it myself.
Invited along for the journey:
- Those who have installed a windlass on their Riviera
- Those who have a windlass on their Riviera
- Those who want a windlass on their Riviera
Confession: I am a mechanical clutz who sometimes ventures beyond his ability level, and who has actually installed a Lewmar windlass on my previous boat – a 1976 Albin 25 (pics available). But the Albin has an open structure for wiring additions. The Riv is going to be difficult in that regard. And the 1980’s electrical battery setup is not appropriate for this job (2 group 27 batteries meant to handle all jobs on alternate days).
For now I am leaving this out there pending choosing an appropriate windlass and the Lewmar range is the most appealing to me – has worked for me before.
Contributions/comments eagerly welcomed! This could be a great Riv group project!

[km1125]

I don't think the battery setup is that big of an issue. You'd likely be using the windlass when the engine is running but even the capacity of a single Group 27 should be adequate for a windlass on a boat that size. An issue might be running larger diameter cables from the windlass back to the battery location, and if that is then you might explore using a smaller "powersports" battery dedicated to the windlass and mounting that up in the bow somewhere (although finding a spot for that might be just as much of an issue). Then you can run a smaller gauge wire along with the control wires and use that to recharge the powersports battery from the engine or shorecharger via either an auto or manual switch.

[SunsetSteve]

With the need to charge the windlass battery from the alternators and/or charger, I figure I still run into the challenge of wires back to the engine room. So my inclination is to use the start battery. But in my existing setup, both are start/house batteries, so I need to understand the issue of running those wires through the switch, I guess. To me the issue s not so much the gauge of the wires but how to thread them, however large, through the bow bulkhead, through the salon and then back into the aft cabin where the batteries reside. All that wall-carpetting. How to keep it all looking nicely finished like a proper Carver.

[km1125]

On my 3607, a previous owner had run the lines to the windlass. There was a path right down the "V" of the bow into the bilge and he followed that back to the engine room. There was one bulkhead but it had a wire path cutout about a foot up from the hull and he followed that too.

You're also going to have to run the control circuits to the helm... that route may be harder to find an easy path, but if the path above works you could just follow that too.

[SunsetSteve]

Looking to spend as little as reasoably possible, here are my current cotenders for the job:

- [url]https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?product=63725178&code=%5F%5F%5F%5F%5F846078000470%5F%5F%5F%5F%5Frl][/url]
- https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?product=63721869&code=%5F%5F%5F%5F%5F743683336041%5F%5F%5F%5F%5F
- https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?category=10379|10173|11907&product=63721822&code=%5F%5F%5F%5F%5F743683302930%5F%5F%5F%5F%5F

[km1125]

Seems like the first one is much more of a 'manual' or 'hands-on' one than the other two. (and I don't think it handles chain).

[SunsetSteve]

Source of the post Seems like the first one is much more of a 'manual' or 'hands-on' one than the other two. (and I don't think it handles chain).

Agreed - just put there as a low-cost option.

[SunsetSteve]

I hope to catch the attention of someone who has a 2807 with a windlass, for suggestions about placement of the winch and where the rode drops to, and other info.
Meanwhile I am thinking about battery issues. I wonder whether it would make sense to keep the existing pair of Group 27s but devote both to house-only use, and add a new dedicated start battery which would also power the windlass.

[SunsetSteve]

Alternate battery theory: replace a Group 27 with a firefly carbon mat battery for house. Put the Group 27 up front under the V-berth with its own charger - to eliminate the heavy wiring back to the stern.

[bud37]

Source of the post Alternate battery theory: replace a Group 27 with a firefly carbon mat battery for house. Put the Group 27 up front under the V-berth with its own charger - to eliminate the heavy wiring back to the stern.

One thing to consider when mounting a lead acid battery and charger in the V berth/dining area or any area for that matter.......remember to have some form of ventilation where you put the battery to allow off gas hydrogen to escape when the battery is being charged. The alternative would be a different style battery that does not off gas.

Just another hoop to jump thru heh......good luck with your project.