Stephen:
I have installed a vertical SL 1000 back many years ago. Then I pulled the motor off and serviced the motor by replacing the SL brushes. What I noticed was saltwater on the motor as it will always get some in thru the chain gypse and then that drips onto the motor as it hangs under the deck.
Having worked inside the anchor locker and installed and removed two SL windlasses I jumped up and down with JOY when the last one died. I could not wait to remove it and toss it all overboard.
Like many of us in the IP fleet, we have taken to the horizontal deck mounted Lofrans Tigress. Our IPY Boothbay Maine Dealer directed me to this windlass many years ago.
When my SL 1000 died I ended up buying for and paying for the king of windlasses, the crazy Lighthouse 1500 $$$$$$. After months of waiting for them to make it and ship it, I asked Norm, our IP Maine dealer what to do, he said cancel that vertical Lighthouse and go with the Tigress. The money I saved bought me an AB 10 VL dinghy!
I know you said you dont want to walk around the motor on the deck, but that is really not an issue, especially on your 45 which is large.
The Tigress was so easy to mount, and now after 7 years of use, I decided to service it and I pulled the motor and checked the brushes and all gears. It was so much easier to sit on the deck and take it apart as to climbing into the bow anchor locker and laying on my back looking up working over my head.
I seriously recommend that you think about the advantages to the TIGRESS deck mounted windlass. It is fantastic. No more windlass motor for me below deck, no more working in the anchor locker for me. Deck mounted is far better in my opinion.
PS:
If you go vertical, then I recommend the Maxwell. Do not waster your money on the Lighthouse!
PSS
Lots of photos published in the photo links on this website.
Hayden
