Charles, there are a number of previous discussions on the subject you might review. I have a Lewmar Pro 1000 horizontal windlass installed on my 26. I picked the horizontal in part because I was replacing a manual horizontal windlass and I thought the opening would be more compatible. I also thought it would be easier to install with the mast in place. The vertical windlass is more commonly used on sailboats. There are two basic types. The most common has the motor mounted at 90 degrees to the body of the windlass. A smaller number have the motor mounted in a vertical position directly below the windlass. I did not think I could hold the horizontal motor in place while bolting it in place with one hand. Lewmar makes a vertical windlass with a vertical motor, the V700. I don’t know if they make a 1000 series in that style.
My windlass has a gypsy that handles 5/16” chain and 5/8” rope.
I was able to install the windlass with the mast in place but it was a challenge. If I was doing it over and could get a V1000 I would go that route. I have a switch located in the starboard cockpit locker and a wired switch. The plug for the switch is located I. The toe rail near the bow. The wired controller is more reliable than a wireless controller.
For what it’s worth, I installed a Lewmar V3 vertical windless with capstan on my N36. The reason for the capstan is to give you the potential to kedge off a mudbank, sandbar, or other bottom obstruction if you get stuck. It will make recovering your primary ground tackle much more secure, particularly when you have to set a second anchor under changing wind/tide direction.
I had one instance in which an adverse tide and wind conditions drove me toward a lee shore when my engine sucked up sediment in the tank and died. The anchor held until the local Harbor Master arrived with a tow boat. That windlass, with a 35lb CQR and 100’ of chain saved my ass; then the windlass recovered it all and I was on my way to the boatyard.
It may cost a bit more to get a larger size windlass with capstan, but you will never regret it.
I followed Mark and Rob Powers solution on my 26. A Lewmar 1000 horizontal with a toe rail mounted wired remote . I was able to install it with out removing the mast. However some folks have installed a 4 inch access plate to store a wash down hose and get better installation access.
You need windlass quality rode and properly sized chain.
At my age the manual windlass was not a good idea .
That would be me with the access hole Thor mentions. It’s 6” but who’s counting.
I had a chain pipe from the original setup in a spot that wouldn’t work for the windlass so I installed the deck plate there and used it to access the bolts under the deck without removing the mast. In later years I have used it to access the bowsprit bolts and for my wash down hose installation. I have a 30 but I’m sure the same could be done on any Nonsuch.
