Tidbit: Anchor Locker Design Details

This is one of a series of brief, no nonsense posts that we call aTidbit: 

noun; small and [possibly] particularly interesting item of gossip or information...

The purpose of these Tidbits is to share succinct posts about lessons learned, or things we use or do that work [or don't...] that are common to most of us boaters.

The goal is to garner feedback from those of you having first-hand experience with a different approach/ solution/ product/ or additional useful information to share...  

We never assume what we are sharing is the ideal or only. In this case it is about the attributes the builder of our boat provided for us [and some we added...] 

We share this information in case there are any points of interest for others, and to solicit things you have done that we might be interested in...

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The anchor rode locker on Denali Rose is not that unique, but does include several thoughtful attributes:

• Totally isolated from the rest of the boat with a stout waterproof bulkhead
• Adequate anchor rode stowage for two full size bow anchors [primary purpose]
• Thick rubber matts line the bottom [3 layers on the bottom] and sides of the locker. [The kind of heavy matt for standing on— with drain holes.] This helps drip-dry the chain, and keeps it from beating up the inside of the locker/hull [while also keeping it quiet...]
• Very strong rode attachment points [inboard side of bobstay fitting]
• Deep enough to free-fall ~200 ft. of 5/16 in. G4 galvanized chain per side
• More details in the chain discussion on our Windlass page
• Propane locker for two 20 lb. tanks including propane solenoid and regulator
• Windlass motor enclosure, electrics, backing plate and fasteners
• Access to the backing plates and all fasteners for the windlass, both foredeck cleats, and chain stoppers, forestay attachment point, etc. 
• This is important because if any of these fittings ever leaked or were torn out of the deck [very unlikely in the 1 in. thick solid fiberglass deck; but possible...] water wouldn't reach any living spaces or the bilge because the leak/breach would be confined to the anchor locker...
• There is space on top of the chain piles to suspend line bags [outboard; i.e., not directly under access hatches...] containing several hundred feet of spare anchor/kedge rode, shorelines, etc. 
• Pressure washdown hose for anchor and deck; switchable between raw [salt for us] and fresh water. [We wash with salt and rinse the chain with fresh once in the locker...]

The only access to the anchor locker is through two Starboard covered hatches in the foredeck: [following 2 photos]

The waterproof bulkhead that isolates the anchor locker from the rest of the boat is even with the aft edge of the stainless steel windlass deck plate. [photos above and below]

The locker is also divided in half to keep the rodes for each of the two bow anchors separated.

Propane Locker:

For propane tank stowage, there are two round platforms glassed into the port and starboard aft corners of the locker— as near the underside of the deck as a ~20lb propane tank will allow. [i.e., The tanks are well above the chain pile— and have protective covers; more below...]  

In addition, both chain rodes from the windlass are farelead past the tanks through lengths of heavy rubber hose [wet exhaust hose] so the vertical portions of the chains cannot ever touch the tanks. [The windlass backing plate has stainless steel pipe sleeves extending from the underside for attaching lengths of 2 in. ID hose for leading the 2 chains...]

Each tank is secured in position with straps affixed to their respective platforms, and each is protected with a heavy duty customized plastic cover. [i.e., Upside-down 5 gallon buckets, each with a slit for the gas line. These plastic propane tank covers were required to pass muster with the purchase survey— and subsequently the insurance company...]

Drain Holes:

The locker also has two drain holes [~1 1/2" dia]; one on each side of the bow. This drains any water that makes its way into the locker on any tack. It also satisfies the requirement for  propane locker drainage. [Open drain(s) low in locker discharging overboard...] 

Each drain hole is covered with a heavy composite cowling— facing aft. They do not ship water when underway plowing into head seas, and have not yet clogged with mud or debris. [We clean the chain as we haul in the anchors...]

The manufacturer also offset the drain holes so one is higher than the other- ostensibly so if the lower drain plugged, the upper would continue to flow [at least until it plugged...] The bottom of the higher drain hole begins at the top of the lower drain hole. [i.e., they are offset by their diameters.]

Two views of the anchor locker drain covers demonstrating placement and the vertical offset.

Following is a close-up of a drain cowling [and bobstay attachment point- which also provides stout anchor rode attachment points inside the anchor locker... Note that the bow is 3+ inches thick solid hand laid fiberglass...]

What would improve the anchor locker?

1) Light: 

In the future I plan to install a bright LED light [dual color] inside the locker- primarily for watching the chain pile while hauling the anchor. [This is needed more in bright daylight than in the dark...] 

A light will also be useful when working upside-down in the locker. [e.g., switching propane tanks, fetching line bags, etc.]  

For now a headlamp suffices...

2) Hatch dogging: 

I need to implement an improved method for securing the hatches for offshore work.

3) Easier access to the depths of the locker:

It tapers enough towards the bottom that it is difficult to stand in it and reach the bottom. [Although rarely necessary...] Instead one must lay on deck and lean over into the locker- and my arms cannot reach the bottom by a long shot... [Hmmm... falling in head first into the empty locker could prove embarrasing... and difficult to self-recover from...]

Perhaps installing a waterproof hatch- strategically placed in the bulkhead- would provide access and visual inspection from within the boat. [without compromising the bulkhead...]

Do you have any suggestions for improving Denali Rose's anchor locker?

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