No Locker

[soldier1964]

Hello everyone, I have a small problem to contend with. My Helms25 doesn't have a rope locker in the bow area for when I pull my anchor up. Inside the forward berth appears to go all the way forward. Is there a way that I can build some kind of locker inside and put a screw in cap/hatch on the bow to get into it? Any good ideas or plans would be very helpful. It would need some kind of drain in it to go down to the bilge also. Thanks a heap...

 

[Merlin Clark]

You could make a bulkhhead and bottom and add a deck pipe http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?3227
I'd use exterior fir (same material, not as many plies and 1 finish side but about half the cost of) or marine plywood and line the inside with fiberglass and epoxy. Good to have a door into the locked accessed from inside the boat and the locker will need a drain, either via a hose to the bilge or a thru hull above the waterline. Try to drain as much water as possible so it doesn't sit.
The door would allow access to tab (fiberglass) the bulkhead and bottom into place to make it as waterproof as possible.
Something I like to add is a stainless u bolt to the inside of the bulkhead to tie the bitter end of the anchor rode. This is in case the rode gets away from the person deploying the anchor.

 

[alexco38]

Use a bucket and deck hatch to make one

On a Macgregor 26S, there is no anchor rope locker. I used a 12 inch deck hatch and cut up a plastic bucket to fit over the flange. Seal it with 3M4200 to make it water tight. The bucket got inserted onto the foredeck and the deck hatch sealed with buytl tape. All you see underneath is about 1/2 of a bucket. A drain hose was connected on the bottom of the bucket to the overboard drain.

It holds 150ft of anchor rope. Simple and cheap. Got a lot of positive comments.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

that's what I did

 

[soldier1964]

thanks for the help, I knew I could find the guidance that I needed here. Be starting that project in a few weeks. Thanks again...

 

[Stu Jackson]

B4 you do that, make sure you can clean the area, thoroughly. The stuff that gets onto anchor rode is NOT fun once inside the boat.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

thanks for the help, I knew I could find the guidance that I needed here. Be starting that project in a few weeks. Thanks again...

Mine was cut to fit, then used epoxy/woodflour fillets, and 4 inch glass tape to attach to the hull sides, sanded smooth, then painted.

Here's the deck side, showing the deck pipe

 

[Merlin Clark]

Mine was cut to fit, then used epoxy/woodflour fillets, and 4 inch glass tape to attach to the hull sides, sanded smooth, then painted.

Here's the deck side, showing the deck pipe

Nice job!

 

[soldier1964]

I like the way that deckpipe looks. Thanks all of yoy..

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Thanks. That's a 21 foot boat. Those are 10 inch cleats. I detest the wimpy cleats most builders put on boats.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Really nice job on the locker below decks TSBB.
I know what you mean, some boats comes with bargain basement plastic cleats.
I picked up a old bronze bit on ebay and replaced the single cleat on mine. It was heavy enough (1967 boat) but crowded with 2- 1/2" lines. I use the factory cowl vent for a deck pipe.

 

[bffatcat]

my 2 c on anchor rode

would definitely install a quality bronze or stainless hause pipe fpor the anchor rode.
I would than make or buy a bag to put the rode in you could leave it up in the bow

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

A little "pickiness" on terminology here.

That on deck is a deck pipe.


A hause (Hawse) pipe goes through the hull side. Here's a dictionary definiition-

Hawsehole is a nautical term for a small hole in the hull of a ship through which hawsers may be passed. Also known as a cat hole.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Well, the cowl has been working for 45 years on this boat and after owning it for the last 5, I see no reason to change. If you have an anchor locker why would you store the rode above deck?