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I am trying to decide on how to re-configure my chain locker. I would like to use the first locker under the v-berth to store all of the primary anchor chain, and use the forward chain locker for a back-up rode. Has anyone found a successful way to route the chain below the v-berth? It is a weird angle and I am curious how that pipe run would work and how to make it so the chain wouldn't snag when coming out or coming back in.
Also, how do deal with the chain locker water? My boat was set up to have the chain locker water run down the center channel to the bilge. Has anyone blocked that off and added a bilge/sump pump dedicated for the chain locker water?
Pictures would help [Image Can Not Be Found]
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I have thought about this question also. I would like to use the forward upper chain locker for a chain rode anchor line. The chain locker under the vberth would be maybe used with a 2 or 3 inch pvc pipe leading directly to it for the longer and heavier chain. The angle is weird but maybe take and just cut through the angle of the vberth and that forward bulkhead and then glass over the top of it in the vberth. It would leave a bulge there but maybe doable.
As to the water. I have solved that situation. It is bad how much trash and water comes in there. It piles up on the forward edges of the water and fuel tanks and causes corrosion there as well as leaving the lower bilges wet all the time. Ours is bone dry now for the last few years. I used 5200 to seal a 1.5 inch or two inch through hull fitting in the lower anchor locker where it drained into the big compartment aft of it below the vberth. Then ran a hose from there to a sump box just under the hatch in the vberth cabins floor. That sump has and or had drains from the shower, the anchor locker and the condensate drain for the AC when we had it installed all run to it. It in turn has a small bilge pump that pumps overboard to a through hull maybe 3 or 4 feet above the waterline on starboard in the starboard hanging closet in the vberth. That has actually worked really well.
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Hi Erick,
Checked your blog a few days ago, all I can say is "holy cow" (this is a family forum, after all) you are NOT afraid of a project! Sorry to hear about your blisters, never heard of that on a DE but I guess they can happen to any boat.
I've given a lot of thought to the chain locker as well. Some time ago I discussed it with someone here, might have been Scott. I would like to eventually have two anchors on the bow. The primary anchor would have at least 200' of chain, with some nylon or poly rope attached behind it. The secondary would have ~30' chain, with the rest being nylon or poly. I would put the secondary rode in the current locker, being that it is less weight to have hanging out there in the overhang. The primary chain would go through a pipe down through the locker to the second locker, under the v-berth, like Scott describes. The trouble is, I do not believe that the chain would consistently run fair to the lower locker, down through the pipe. I think one would have to install some means below deck to pull on the chain. I just don't think gravity would be enough and you would end up with chain piling up on deck.
My first thought was to see if I could find a small boat windlass that could be installed below deck, to pull the chain down from the primary windlass. The tricky part with that is that you would have to find a way to attach a large chain gypsy to a small windlass. All small windlass are designed for 1/4" chain, not what we would be using by far. So that get's complicated but doable if you had a welder and/or a machine shop (to make the attachment).
My other thought would be to use some sort of industrial chain drawing equipment. Perhaps a motorized rubber wheel with a spring loaded opposing wheel that didn't grab a chain, like a gypsy would, but would just keep tension on it. That would work but I don't know of any ready made solution that would be similar.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help but those are my thoughts on the issue. I haven't acted on any of these ideas yet. Just this year I'm getting my chain rode an new anchor. I won't be installing a second anchor for another year or so.
Let us know what you decide to do, or post it on your blog.
-Argyle
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Scott Carle said:
I have thought about this question also. I would like to use the forward upper chain locker for a chain rode anchor line. The chain locker under the vberth would be maybe used with a 2 or 3 inch pvc pipe leading directly to it for the longer and heavier chain. The angle is weird but maybe take and just cut through the angle of the vberth and that forward bulkhead and then glass over the top of it in the vberth. It would leave a bulge there but maybe doable.
As to the water. I have solved that situation. It is bad how much trash and water comes in there. It piles up on the forward edges of the water and fuel tanks and causes corrosion there as well as leaving the lower bilges wet all the time. Ours is bone dry now for the last few years. I used 5200 to seal a 1.5 inch or two inch through hull fitting in the lower anchor locker where it drained into the big compartment aft of it below the vberth. Then ran a hose from there to a sump box just under the hatch in the vberth cabins floor. That sump has and or had drains from the shower, the anchor locker and the condensate drain for the AC when we had it installed all run to it. It in turn has a small bilge pump that pumps overboard to a through hull maybe 3 or 4 feet above the waterline on starboard in the starboard hanging closet in the vberth. That has actually worked really well.
Thanks Scott. If you ever get the chance, could you take some pictures of your drain set-up that goes to the sump? I'm just awful at picturing it in my head and a picture really helps. If it is a big pain to get to then don't worry about it.
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Argyle38 said:
Hi Erick,
Checked your blog a few days ago, all I can say is "holy cow" (this is a family forum, after all) you are NOT afraid of a project! Sorry to hear about your blisters, never heard of that on a DE but I guess they can happen to any boat.
I've given a lot of thought to the chain locker as well. Some time ago I discussed it with someone here, might have been Scott. I would like to eventually have two anchors on the bow. The primary anchor would have at least 200' of chain, with some nylon or poly rope attached behind it. The secondary would have ~30' chain, with the rest being nylon or poly. I would put the secondary rode in the current locker, being that it is less weight to have hanging out there in the overhang. The primary chain would go through a pipe down through the locker to the second locker, under the v-berth, like Scott describes. The trouble is, I do not believe that the chain would consistently run fair to the lower locker, down through the pipe. I think one would have to install some means below deck to pull on the chain. I just don't think gravity would be enough and you would end up with chain piling up on deck.
My first thought was to see if I could find a small boat windlass that could be installed below deck, to pull the chain down from the primary windlass. The tricky part with that is that you would have to find a way to attach a large chain gypsy to a small windlass. All small windlass are designed for 1/4" chain, not what we would be using by far. So that get's complicated but doable if you had a welder and/or a machine shop (to make the attachment).
My other thought would be to use some sort of industrial chain drawing equipment. Perhaps a motorized rubber wheel with a spring loaded opposing wheel that didn't grab a chain, like a gypsy would, but would just keep tension on it. That would work but I don't know of any ready made solution that would be similar.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help but those are my thoughts on the issue. I haven't acted on any of these ideas yet. Just this year I'm getting my chain rode an new anchor. I won't be installing a second anchor for another year or so.
Let us know what you decide to do, or post it on your blog.
-Argyle
Many thanks for checking out the blog! Lots of work left to do, but I am getting closer and closer to actually floating again [Image Can Not Be Found]
Good ideas in your post. Hoping some others here have found the solution we are seeking
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I ran a 3" abs pipe from the deck down under the v berth on Bohdran. I found that the chain castled up too quickly, so I installed a roller about 18" aft of the stem to give the chain a bit more drop. This allowed me to get 30-50' of chain down at a time, but it would still castle up and back up in the abs pipe. When it did this, I'd have to run down below, knock down the chain, and then go back above and crank on the windlass. I used this method for about 5 years. It was a pain, but it worked. When I had crew on board, it was no problem, but normally I singlehand. I also have a manual windlass.
10 years ago, I replaced the bulkhead between the head and the v berth. When I did, I moved the bulkhead 11" aft. This made my bunk much longer and more comfortable, but in the end it was more than I needed. A few years back I moved the chainlocker bulkhead aft 5". This gave me enough room for 300' of 5/16" chain in the upper locker. Now when it backs up, I just stick the windlass handle down into the locker and knock the chain over. I moved the abs pipe over to the port side and use it for a secondary rode. I've got 40' of chain and 300' of rode coiled in a tub under the v berth. It takes some doing to get it back down there, but I rarely have to set the second anchor and when I do, the secondary rode pays out quite nicely.
I'll look for some pics of my old system, but it didn't work that well.
Jason
DE32 Bodhran
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Thanks a bunch for the details Jason. How do you handle the water from the chain locker? Do you let it run to the bilge or route it somewhere else?
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I replaced the original deck fitting with one from ABI:
It does a pretty good job of keeping water out. When I'm at sea, I take off the anchor and shackle the chain to the bottom of the cap. It keeps everything out even in the worst sea.
What water does get in my locker comes in with the chain when I'm hauling anchor. I find that most of it stays on the chain and evaporates. When every I let all the chain out, I get in there and clean off all the mud/dirt that is left behind. Any flowing water would go down into the bilge, but I find that it hasn't really been an issue. My bilge from the tanks forward stays pretty clean.
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Thanks Jason! You've been there and done that so I always appreciate your input.
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There is a sailing video with some very long term voyagers where it shows their 41' sailboat (not a DE) using a PVC pipe to route chain horizontally, at least 4 feet aft, to store 150' of chain in a low locker at the front of their vberth. According to the owner, the chain glides through there if pulled by the crew, no problem. The Downeaster equivalent of this distance would be going all the way from the deck pipe to the small locker opposite the head's door.. I find it hard to believe the chain will travel this distance easily but they said it works great..
Pretty amazing video. Look on youtube for: Cabin Tour of Southern Cross, Part 2 (Dickerson 41 Sailboat)
Here is the link http://www.youtube.com /watch?v=z-JP0VcnTXw
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