26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

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matv
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Location: Newcastle

Re: 26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

Post by matv »

Well it's a year later but I finally got around to doing the mod.

I opted to cut the well around the vertical walls, extend the walls on the well using G10 + carbon fibre along with general reinforcing around the area and then glue back in. This way the interior remains unmodified as I could attach the bolts before reinstalling the whole anchor well. Still have some tidying up and painting to do, but so far it works well and makes for much easier single handed anchoring. If anyone is interested in doing a similar mod, the original fibreglass well is quite thin. There is ample depth below it for a drum winch so I made it deep enough to be able to close the hatch. There are some winches on the market smaller then the one I used that might fit with more room I would imagine.

The wiring also fit behind the lining on the interior down to behind the galley which was nice.

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Before anyone comments about the anchor swivel the setup was just to check the fit. I've since added a shackle to allow pivoting without risking pronging it open.

I hope it helps anyone looking to do similar!
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rsvpasap
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
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Re: 26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

Post by rsvpasap »

I bought a Lewmar 700 with 60 ft of 1/4 inch chain and 300 ft of 1/2 inch 8-plait to go with my 35 lb Mantus M1, but I did not get it installed before it got too cold to do fiberglass. Now this is a job for spring, 2025. Thanks very very much for posting these photos. Extremely helpful.
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pitchpolehobie
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Re: 26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

Post by pitchpolehobie »

Very fine looking job. Now we wait for the sea trials!
2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
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Russ
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Re: 26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

Post by Russ »

Nice work. I've seen other implementations, however, this seems more streamlined.
--Russ
OverEasy
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Re: 26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

Post by OverEasy »

Hi Matv!

Great looking job!
Nicely done!

It looks like you really gave some thought into what you planned and implemented.
Really a nice job of workmanship.
Congrats!

Best Regards,
Over Easy
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Jimmyt
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Re: 26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

Post by Jimmyt »

Great project! Well done!
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
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Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
matv
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Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:13 am
Location: Newcastle

Re: 26X Anchor Well Underside Access for Drum Winch

Post by matv »

Thanks all!

Sea trials have been going great and it has proved worth the effort + cost already.

A bonus is that I setup a wireless remote (easy to add to the solenoid) which is great when backing up on to the shore and moving the boat in and out without being in the boat for unloading the family or luggage.
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