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MASSIVE 1200W Muir Anchor Windlass Upgrade! / A Cruising Must Have!
June 28, 2026 · 28 min · 20K views
Adam hoisted mid-air by windlass under catamaran hull
What this video covers
Replacing a failing 700-watt windlass with a 1200-watt Muir Storm 1250 requires structural deck reinforcement and careful electrical planning.1:24 The installation involves removing the old unit, sealing existing bolt holes with thickened epoxy to prevent water ingress into the deck core, and installing a fiber-reinforced composite backing plate to distribute the load across the fiberglass.4:24 Because the new motor draws 96 amps under load, the crew identifies a mismatch between the supplied 135-amp breaker and their 120-amp solenoid, opting for a temporary 100-amp breaker while planning a future upgrade to heavier-gauge wiring to mitigate voltage drop.19:50 The installation process includes aligning the gypsy with the bow roller, using Sikaflex 291 for a watertight seal, and testing the motor’s polarity and speed.16:39 A final load test, lifting a 20kg anchor and chain, confirms the unit’s performance.26:44 Using a composite backing plate prevents deck cracking by sandwiching the fiberglass to spread the force of heavy anchoring.13:58
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