Sounds like a great option JHighlander wrote:Another option is to make an extension of the anchor locker walls say using 6" or 8" alum flat bar 3/16" thick shape it to fit inside the top lip of ur locker weld legs from say 3" alum flat bar 2 on each side 1 on the front 2 on the rear bolt these onto the anchor locker walls with backing plates inside the anchor locker floatation chamber then add ur locker lid to that now ur locker is 12-14" deep
I have been monitoring progress and pics of the windlass installation you have been undertaking, but lack your metal working skills (and also your dual anchoring system), so have been considering simpler alternatives. It occurred to me that provided the windlass was mounted high enough to create sufficient drop to the anchor locker on a bracket or frame strong enough to handle the loads, the walls of the locker itself could be extended upwards to contain the rode as you have suggested. That would avoid the drainage and other problems of expanding the locker downwards into the V berth area
. The walls of the extension would not need to be especially strong and those of us that are less skilled with metal could fabricate them out of other materials, like glassed over ply, which could be shaped and coloured to blend with the deck.