Bill: I basically use your method but have modified it slightly. I create two loops of line off the pulpit and hang my Danforth between them. I then secure the whole thing from moving or slipping out with an additional line where one end is kept attached to the anchor. If I want the chain bag off the fore deck, I use a some kind of quick connector (sorry, 6 months of non-sailing makes old farts dumb) to attach the chain to the anchor which is otherwise in a heavy canvas bag somewhere on the boat....cockpit or cabin sole. If I am lazy or there is no wind I will often just lash the whole bag of gear to the foredeck to save dragging it aft. I also keep a light weight lunch hook in another bag for...well...lunch stops or diving. Great as long as I am not leaving the boat for any length of time. My boat is still on the trailer and under cover, so I don't have an images for you. Dave: I use my anchors a lot and have wanted to create some sort of chain locker since I got the 17. Those images you posted a link to are the first I have seen of someone's version of this. Thanks! The idea I had been working on did not include a deck hatch. Rather just a good sized lockable deck pipe ( <http://www.sailboatstuff.com/images/AB210013ALG.jpg> http://www.sailboatstuff.com/images/AB210013ALG.jpg) to a larger enclosed 'chute' , that runs up against the inner stem and down to the forefoot or under berth area. Keeping the chain/rode weight low as possible. The locker with a good size passive drain to the bilge / pump. I would have a water tight hatch in the locker itself accessible from the V berth to sort any fowled lines, to clean and to air out. I know there are issues with this arrangement, but I am not keen on having a large cut out / hatch on the foredeck to fill with water (drained or not). As I have stuffed this part of my boat on several occasions. I also would like to have the weight of all my chain as low as possible. I have sailed boats with a nice big hatch on the foredeck and they are very convenient. But these are usually larger boats that have the fore deck / fore peak structure designed around this larger removed area. I am not qualified to say, bit I am not sure I would want to remove that much structure in as critical an area as that little forepeak without replacing the integrity of the structure somehow. 2.5 cents worth. Tim ------------------------------------------------------------- yes this has been done ... i have pictures and i can't remember whom i got them. the download date i have for the pictures is october 2010. if memory is correct the boat was for sale and i saw a picture and asked for details. the owner was good enough to send details photos. i have quickly posted the photos here - http://m17-375.webs.com/m17anchorstorageideas.htm
If you keep your anchor at the bow...
1. Have you installed an anchor roller, or use a PVC pipe fastened to the pulpit to hold the anchor shank?
2. Do you have a hawse pipe to feed rode below to a container on the V berth, or to a "chain locker" below the V berth?
Can anyone direct me to pics showing some solutions they may have come up with or just describe in a message what you have done.
Right now we keep a bruce with 20' chain and then rope in a flexible tote in the port cockpit locker. Usually drop it from the cockpit and then walk it forward.
When cruising we keep the anchor on a rubber mat at the aft end of the cockpit with the chain and have the rode running forward inside the toe rail, through a bow chock and back. Allows us to drop over the side from the cockpit and adjust scope from the cockpit.
Keeping the chain from scrubbing the gel coat on the coaming top is a challenge. We lay more interlocking rubber mats over to protect. Can be a bit fussy if you have to get the anchor down in a hurry.
Thanks much
Bill Wickett Makin' Time M17 #622
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