Anchor Locker - Part 2
by
, 04-09-2018 at 01:00 PM (942 Views)
I've now setup my boat for the anchor chain to feed off the windlass and loop back forward and enter a hawsepipe (1 1/2") PVC pipe installed in the anchor pan and all the chain to drop into the forepeak locker and then slide back into the most forward V berth locker. The chain from the anchor roller and the windlass gypsy are aligned slightly to the starboard side so this required me to set the hawsepipe slightly to starboard as well while making sure the chain falls as close to center as possible to ensure it will drop back into the V berth locker. In the forepeak locker just below the door I opened up the lower section to the V berth locker so the chain will hopefully slide back. If necessary I may fabricate a 2" PVC tube from the hawsepipe opening so as to drop the chain directly into the forward V berth locker. I also may end up shortening the anchor chain back to 200ft TBD.
In addition I'm also installing a Lewmar Chain Stopper/Lock just forward of the anchor locker lid to secure the chain and anchor. This last weekend I drilled oversized holes and filled them with thickened epoxy ready to be re-drilled 3/8" for the mounting hardware bolts for the chain stopper. To enable me to get to this section of the bow I installed a 8" Deck Cover Plate that provides easy access to the forward chain plates and other hardware. In addition I installed Dri-Dek panels in the anchor pan (and the propane lockers) to keep my bow dock lines, anchor chain snubbers above the pan surface and to hopefully help the lines dry and prevent them from getting moldy and allow the anchor pan to drain more easily. I've also installed a short rub strake on the deck lip next to the forward end of the locker lid to protect the deck from the chain. You will see from the photo below that the chain enters the locker lid dead center now after I moved the anchor rode cutout during my recent rebuild of the locker lid.
I'm now just looking at the final steps of the installation by installing some form of bow roller in the anchor pan above the hawsepipe or immediately forward of the windlass to help the chain clear the deck and enter the hawsepipe. I may also need a rub strake on the deck just aft of the locker lid. That will be in Part 3 with the final installation segment.