Needed: Fiberglass Winch Bases

[Chance]

I've begun the long road to getting our newest family addition sail worthly, a 1966 Commander #256, which I pulled down from ME a couple of weeks ago.
I need to locate two (2) fiberglass winch stands (supports). She came with none. The two bronze supports she has are mounted way aft and are not nearly high (tall ) enough to relocate the primaries to a more reasonable location. As you know, the cockpit coamings are rather high (especially on the Commander) and the broze stands by bristol bronze are not tall enough.
Please help! I know of no other options than to try and locate the original fiberglass winch stands and mount them where they need to be.

Thanks,
Chance
C-256

[ebb]

Chance,
You are well on your way to making a molded pair after your recent fiberglassing experience. No?
Would be an ideal first project of this type if you are new to it.

Shape block foam into a form that you like, probably modeled after the bronze ones you have. Two nicely rounded forms. Cover with epoxy and cloth. Cut with jigsaw to a classic shape. The winch stands can be open or closed.

There are a couple fiberglass books useful for guides.
And guys around here can add specific advice to specific questions.


If you want bronze you might ask Bristol Bronze if they have a pattern with the length legs you need. They have some original Pearson oriented patterns. Sources for classic bronze hardware have appeared here. Use the Search mode. Or ask Bill.
It is even possible to make soft wood models that can then be cast into bronze at a local foundry, or perhaps Bristol.


I personally would begin with a cardboard model that allows you to predict the finished shape and take measurements. There are angles involved.

[Chance]

Ebb,
Thanks for the prompt and thorough feedback. I hadn't thought of the foam to make a form. I have not done any mold work, but have experience with glassing. Seems I'll have to seriously consider going that route. I'll also check with Bristol Bronze about a similar but much higher bronze support.

Respectfully,
Chance

[c_amos]

Chance,

Any way you might post a couple pictures of your current set up? The mounts from Bristol Bronze normally work out well with the standard combings, I am wondering if someone might have modified yours to something lower so they could set the wenches back aft of the standard arrangement.

FWIW, I have sailed an Ariel with the BB mounts, and found the height to be just about perfect in the original location with original combings. Maybe some pictures will clear things up.

[c_amos]

Chance,

Don't you just hate it when someone posts a reply that does not do much to answer the original issue? I sure do, especially when it is me who does it. :o

Sorry about that. I should have read all of the posts today before I commented.

I see you posted this picture (reposted for discussion);

http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/attachment.php?attachmentid=5281&stc=1&d=1225914823

Wow, those are far aft.... I see your combings are higher then the Ariel's as are most Commanders combings... (strike 2 on my earlier reply).... :rolleyes:

[/stupid comments]

I will add this... the base of wenches on Faith are slightly lower then the combing, and I wish they were lower still. The Lewmars I have start to taper in a ways above the base / mounting surface. You might try to set one of the bases you have about where you want them and see if the height works out so the tail comes off high enough. I have noticed a wide variation of mount heights on the Ariels / Commanders on this site.

Good luck


-----------------------------------------------

OBTW, BEAUTIFUL boat, and much trailor lust going on here... :)

[ebb]

Here's a Commander with your problem.
Don't know that he had your solution.

(google) Adding Winches Page
[typing this onto a google request window will get you there]
home.bway.net/bogle/winch.html
[that's typed as it appears - but it doesn't even light up here]

hope it gets you in - any info helps.
Have you tapped the Lucky Dawg thread? viz #47.

Good luck! we try.....

[Chance]

C Amos,
Thanks for the smile and feedback. I may have been mistaken, I believe the bronze winch stands currently in place are from Spartan Marine. I have not located winch stands from Bristol Bronze yet. Their online catalog is not search / view friendly. I am led to believe that C-256 came built and delivered to her original owner without primary winches and used only the cabin top configuration. I have come to this conclusion since there is no signs on the deck that there ever was winch stands mounted further forward, in areas that Pearson would have placed them. Also, the bronze stand in place now, have been mounted by a PO who lacked some fundamental quality control / asthetic foresight. Even though they are low, the PO still used a 1 inch spacer between the bronze and the deck to get them up a bit. Very tacky looking install, and way too far aft to say the least.
Tomorrow I will take a closer photo showing the current set up. I'm hoping to find out if Bristol Bronze makes winch supports, and if so, are they offered in taller configurations than Spartan?

Ebb,
Yes, reviewed your post suggestion, and I have seen that article some time ago. Thank you. Although I have enough teak in my humble woodshop to make islands, I'm really wanting either bronze or fiberglass.

Respectfully,
Chance