Eliminating Anchor Locker

[Ajay73]

I have a C27 and think I want to eliminate the anchor locker. I would glass in the anchor locker door and then cut in an opening to the locker compartment in the V berth. Reason for doing this? I seldom, if ever, use an anchor and the compartment/door is leaking and I want to eliminate this source of water getting into the boat. I would have to cut an access to the compartment to get at the port/starboard running lights. Anyone ever do this? I don't think that cutting in the access would hurt structural integrity? Any opinions on out there? Looking for opinions and comments. Thanks for any you can provide

 

[shipwreck66]

I had toyed with mounting a window unit in there with the air going into the V-berth. There is a structural issue between the anchor locker and v-berth. The bow being the strongest part of the hull, and you, being on Lake Erie with it's winds, will need it. You may be able to make a small access hole, but honestly, after looking at mine I realized that when I'm standing in the bow that structure is what is supporting my weight. I wouldn't jack with it. I know that locker is a big wasted space but it can seal up, and your leak may not be the hatch. If you do glass it in and the leak is actually from somewhere up there that you haven't found yet, then you have a real problem.

 

[Ajay73]

Shipwreck, I wouldn't cutting out the entire locker wall, just enough to have an access to running lights for changing bulbs. I would also strengthened the perimeter of the opening with bonded in wood/glass. I don't think the wall is that much of a structural member because if you look at the whole expanse of the deck over the V-berth most of it is unsupported by structure other than the deck laminate(ie, no support walls). The lock has a small hole drilled into the forward end of the locker bottom so that it drains into the are below the V-berth. This area however does not drain