Anchor Winch and Anchor Locker and Ground Tackle

[Macintechno]

Hi all,

I hope you’re all well. During this crazy time I’m using some of the time to tinker around on my boat.
The current project is ground tackle...!
I’ve purchased a bucket of 8mm CMB chain (34m) and 100m of 12mm nylon three strand rope and also made up a 5m snubber. I’ve spliced the rope to the chain and attached a swivel element on the end of the chain. Another couple of links of chain and then the anchor with a shackle (existing 9-10kg CQR which I am looking to replace later down the track as it’s quite old and I’d like to have it a bit bigger.)

I’ve got my hand on a quick anchor winch which I’d like to use.

I’ve seen Troppos solution and while I like it I’d like to do things a bit differently. I’d like to have a massive anchor locker that can hold all rope, chain and anchor comfortably.

I’m thinking of removing the anchor locker all together and close the hatch on the inside with some solid plywood and the glasses over on the side of the locker. I’d also raise the bottom a bit to match the height of the thruhulls on either side.
I believe I can access all relevant screws and bolts for the pulpit (which I need to take out) by reaching into the hatch of the locker. Just wanted to check with you guys if you see any reason why I shouldn’t do it.


Greetings
Daniel

Here a picture of the hatch down on the inside and a picture of the current dirty anchor locker

[Shaun]

I think it's a good idea, would be a great improvement if you get it right, would be nice to get an anchor with a roll bar in there nicely out of the way, might even be some room for a few spare fenders to get them out of the lazarette.
Particularly getting the drainage right would be critical for a much larger internal volume space.
Cheers

[Macintechno]

Hi Shaun,
I was down at the boat today and it’d be a really massive anchor locker. Some 65cm deep.
That’s exactly the plan. To get the fenders and stuff out of the way. For me it’s kind of useless space in the front as I’m not keen on dragging anchor stuff from the front through the ‘bedroom’.
Further there’s been some leakage from the pulpit into the section under the anchor well and that’s seeping in the v berth.
I’ll re-bed the pulpit to seal it up but it wouldn’t even matter it it still leaks.

I’m planning to raise the bottom by 5cm with some foam and then shape it in a way that water has to go to one of the two outlets. Then I’d glass all over it and make it nice and solid with a few layers.

Keen to hear any further opinions!

Greetings
Daniel

[steve]

Hi Daniel,

As Shaun points out, with such a large anchor well it is important to ensure it drains and can never become full of water. To ensure that waves breaking over the bow cannot fill the well, it would be worth having a rubber seal on the lid and ensuring that the holes in the lid for the chain can be waterproofed, as well as ensuring that the drain outlets can never become blocked.

The drain outlets appear to be close to the waterline. You should consider whether the weight of the additional chain and winch, combined with the downward pull of the mooring rope, will cause passing waves to immerse the drain outlets. If water is regularly entering the drain outlets, it might corrode your chain and cause mould growth.

You will probably find that a modern anchor will not fit between the legs of the pulpit and the forestay, particularly if the anchor has a roll bar. If you want to store such an anchor in the well, you will probably have to lift the anchor through the side of the pulpit, permanently leaving the chain passing around the pulpit leg. The chain has to pass twice through the lid of the well.

An alternative would be to leave the anchor well unchanged and to store the anchor on the bow roller. When moored, two mooring ropes would be used, one each side of the bow. It looks like you already have cleats to accept dual mooring ropes.

I hope these comments are helpful.

Steve

[Macintechno]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your opinion. If I want to use the winch the current anchor locker is too shallow as the winch specs require at lease 50cm free space under the hole where the winch drops the chain. So I kind of have to make it deeper by at least 30cm.

The current drain outlets are are 20cm above the water line. Keeping in mind the boat is rather empty at the moment. So in cruising condition there are at least another 3-400kg on board including people. So she’d probably be another 4-5cm deeper in the water leaving around 15cm between outlet and water line which is probably not much.

I could Increase the floor in the locker by about 20cm which leaves me enough room for the chain and the floor would then be 40cm above water line making it unlikely water gets into the locker.

Still playing with ideas but it looks inevitable to increase the depth of the well or I need to build up the locker lid by 20cm which may look funny? But may be an option anyway.

Edit: I’m not yet set up for dual mooring ropes but it’d only have to attach a cleat on the port side and I’m good. It’s a good idea actually to leave the anchor out there permanently and use double mooring lines.

Greetings
Daniel

[Macintechno]

Hi Guys,
Quick update on today’s work.

Special thanks to Phillip and Shaun who both took time to talk to me over the phone! Really appreciate it!

There were options to make the locker similar to MK1 which does not have a drain at all but a closed deck and no hatch.
I wanted to have the locker accessible from the top and wanted more space.
For the ease of process I decided to keep the two oversized thru hulls and combine them with a T joiner to one drain in the locker.
I’ve replace the old thru hulls with new ones (cheap plastic ones siliconed in as I’ll get her out of the water and want to replace all thru hulls with new proper stuff in a couple of months)

I’ve cut the old locker out, built a plywood platform with cockpit drain recessed in the bottom.
Will soon shape the bottom so it’s sloping to the middle.

I ran out of time today so the windlass is not yet installed but I added two cleats on either side of the hatch for a double mooring line so I can leave the anchor out permanently.

Here some pictures of today’s progress. More to come when in have more time on the boat.

Greetings
Daniel

[Macintechno]

Next update:
The mooring is modified to take double cleats.
Pictures attached
Greetings
Daniel

[steve]

Hi Daniel,
The anchor well is looking promising. Where is the winch being mounted?
I find I sometimes want to stand in the well to reach the anchor or bow roller, so it is worthwhile making sure the fibreglass on top of grading material is strong enough to take your weight without flexing and opening the waterproof seals around the drain hole.

[Macintechno]

Hi Steve,

I’ve checked on her today and the bottom of the anchor locker is rock solid. I can easily stand and even jump in it. No water had come into the boat which is a good sign so it should all be water tight. I’ll test it properly soon.
She’s scheduled to come out of the water early July and I’ll get all the thru hulls replaced to make sure everything is fine under the water line.

So far so good.

The plan sees to severely reinforce the hatch of the locker and the hinges before mounting the windlass into the hatch. Then I’ll somehow built a lock on the starboard side to keep the hatch closed even in waves and under pressure.
Similar to how Trooppo did it I guess.

The cabling is prepared so far. Just looking for an anchor now. If someone had one lying around please let me know.

I’ll keep you updated.

Greetings
Daniel

[Phillip]

The plan sees to severely reinforce the hatch of the locker and the hinges before mounting the windlass into the hatch.


Daniel, Do you really think the hatch cover and hinges will support the 3 tonne boat in say 40 knots of wind at anchor?