Is it possible to add a winch...

[Tmacmi]

Is it possible to add a winch where there is no access from underneath?

[carlosproa]

Maybe try a stainless steel platform like some winches installed in the mast. Kind of like a squared U with flanges and beefy self tapping screws into the core or similar

[Orion Jim]

You might want to take into consideration the anticipated loading on the winch and ensure it is anchored appropriately....which usually means through bolted with a substantial backing plate.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

Is it possible to add a winch where there is no access from underneath?

It is really recommended to have a strong backing plate and through bolts.

It is hard to give advice without understanding the winch location (cabin top, cockpit coamings, mast, where?) and why no access from underneath is possible. I think is it always possible, just sometimes not something one wishes to get into.

If, for instance, the winch needs to be mounted on a cabin top where the inside is sealed by a permanent hard headliner so that no bolts from the top are visible, then one solution is to cut a round hole in that headliner and expose the inside of the cabin top. After installing the winch the hole can be covered with a plate, perhaps a nice piece of wood, or fiberglass work to seal it so it's same as before.

Other locations may be more difficult, but there always is a way.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

Is it possible to add a winch where there is no access from underneath?

No. You will need to create access from beneath and install a backing plate.

https://www.defender.com/search.html...s+port&x=0&y=0

[Tmacmi]

Its on a narrow combing behind the sheet winches.

I want it there as a dedicated winch for the roller reefing in-haul in order to make reefing under load more manageable.

We only have one sheet winch per side, using it to reef the headsail is awkward to then cleat and clear the sheet winch for use.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

Its on a narrow combing behind the sheet winches.

I want it there as a dedicated winch for the roller reefing in-haul in order to make reefing under load more manageable.

We only have one sheet winch per side, using it to reef the headsail is awkward to then cleat and clear the sheet winch for use.

So I assume the coaming is a seatback in the cockpit. Often there is a cutout in that seatback for winch handles , etc. If you don't have that you can cut one, however, if there is not already a cutout near the sheet winches then possibly that coming area can be accessed from the quarter berth area, or whatever is below.

In any case, make that winch strong. Even if the furling line loads seem light there may be times when you put something else on that winch and it should be strong enough to take it. The coaming will be strong itself by virtue of the hard corners so, with a backing plate it should be good.

[Orion Jim]

The winch base you see here is normally used when mounting a winch against a “thin” coaming. The small winch aft of my sheet which is used for furling my yankee.

[a64pilot]

I would say it depends, I mounted a small winch (Lewmar 16) for furling my Genoa as the glass is very think there, at least .5”. I drilled and tapped the glass and used machine screws, as they are in shear I believe there will not be a problem. If it were under tension load, I’d say no.
My sheet winches of course the load is orders of magnitude higher and they have backing plates.

I could have cut a 6” hole under the winch with a hole saw and installed an inspection cover plate.

[stormalong]

I mounted a winch for that purpose on the stern rail. I used five split rail fittings and a bent piece of sheet stainless. It is fit at the intersection of a vertical and horizontal rails - a stronger point.

Put it on so the wife could furl. I use it in strong winds too.

[ggray]

Is the fiberglass you want to mount on strong enough?

I mounted an Andersen winch to a surface you couldn't access from below the surface it sat on.

This is a bit complicated, but it is a winch with an underdeck winch handle and needed to be mounted to the top of two surfaces about two inches apart and hollow in between.

A hole had to be cut in the middle of the base surface for the handle shaft to pass through.

I made two moon shaped, or parentheses shaped backing plates of aluminum which were drilled and tapped for the bolts, and slipped them through the hole. It's been a long time ago, but I thinkI used some tacky bedding compound and bolted the plates in place without the winch, until the bedding compound set up.

You don't need the center hole as I did, but if the fiberglass is thick enough maybe it won't be a problem to cut one for this purpose. Of course, I was aided by being able to manipulate the backing plates a little through the bottom hole which you won't be able to do.But you won't have to fit around that center shaft as I did.

Anyway, maybe this can give you an idea.

[Tmacmi]

All good thoughts. Much appreciated. I'll take some measurements and photos of the area in question.