removing windlass

[TheVille]

Moments like these I remember the saying: There are no stupid question, only stupid people

But here we go... I don't know how to remove windlass from my 1997 sea ray sundacer 250DA. I want to take it off because it isn't working properly but don't know how...

Should i remove only the windlass or does the entire cover come off? I don't know how to remove either.

 

[electricaldoctor]

Did you look in the anchor locker for some nuts or bolts on the underside of the windlass? Short of that, you can always google the manufacturer if you do not have the owner's manual.

 

[wrvond]

It looks to me like you have an after market unit installed in the cover of the rope locker. As you are looking at the photo, there is a latch on the port side between the control switches. This latch is a twist and lift latch that should allow you to lift that entire cover (it's hinged on the starboard side) allowing access to the mechanism below.

 

[TheVille]

OK, i wen't to try to remove the cover and found out that there is a hatch that I need to remove. That will allow me to access the screws holding the windlass and cover. Only problem is that I couldn't remove the hatch. It moves from the bottom towards me, when i pull the hatch I can feel two screws (marked 1 and 2) screws are pulling out as I move the hatch out so they are not attached to anything. The top doesn't move at all.

Any ideas?

 

[Lazy Daze]

If the trapezoidal deck hatch doesn't hinge up - which, if a PO installed things correctly, he would have secured the hatch so it doesn't open - then try through the round deck deck plate right next to the windlass. That mirror may or may not provide access - look down through the deck plate and see if the aft wall of the anchor locker is solid. It usually is - which means removing the mirror simply reveals a solid wall. Now, there could be a hole there from when the previous owner installed the windlass and secured the trapezoidal hatch.

However, to answer your question, carfefully pull the vinyl back/out from anywhere you feel a screw head. Just a guess, but the reason the bottom pulls out may be because someone cut the hole in the bulkhead too big or the edge has rotted because they didn't seal the edge. Check that out - it may be something you want to address.

 

[scoflaw]

Like said on post #3 that hatch opened at some previous point in time. Is it glued closed ? Does the latch still turn ? How about some heat and a big pry bar.