Windlass on 1998 Bimini 306

[Mikesbimini]

I have a 1998 Grady White Bimini 306 center console and they did not come with a pulpit. Has anyone added a windlass to their older Bimini 306? I am looking for ideas on how to add a windlass. There is not much room between the anchor hatch and the bow tip. Maybe there is enough room for a short roller without adding a pulpit but I’m not sure. Anybody who can help me please reply. This is a photo showing distance from the anchor locker hatch to the bow tip.
Thanks,

 

[glacierbaze]

This worked great on my tournament 22. I would rather have it than the pulpit on my current 228.

 

[Mikesbimini]

Wow that looks nice. Does that black lid replace the regular hatch door? I’d prefer that over having a pulpit. How long is that roller and where did you find that hatch door? That’s exactly the kind of thing I would like to do.

 

[glacierbaze]

I made the black hatch, cutting a piece of starboard 1/4 inch larger than my hatch, clamping the two together, and going around the edge with a router and an edge trimming bit. It was supposed to be a template, but I used it for years, until I sold the boat this spring, and put the old original hatchback on.
Did the same for my Seafarer, when I bought it last summer. Will probably use this template until I sell the boat as well..

 

[Mikesbimini]

It looks like you could raise the windlass up by flipping the starboard up is that correct? Also what are the 2 flat shiny pieces screwed into the starboard used for?
Thanks

 

[glacierbaze]

Yes.

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[Mikesbimini]

I’m looking at your photos and see a piece of what looks like glass cut out like your hatch. Your first photo shows your windlass mounted on a black starboard trying to figure out what the glass piece you’re showing me has to do with the modification.

 

[glacierbaze]

Sorry for the confusion. The black hatch was on my '93 Tournament 22, but no pics of the process. The 'glass' is a thick piece of opaque plastic, HDPE I believe, that I had lying around, and used for the hatch on the Seafarer, with the same windlass.