Anchor Locker

[Greg-TX]

I am wanting to add an anchor locker to the front bow of my macgregor 1982 25ft. It currently lacks one, does anybody know what the dimensions should be? Also I need to add some spreaders to the mast, I see where the previous spreaders where but how long should they be?
I am really getting hyped about getting my trailer fixed and getting my motor bought and getting into the water real soon. My goal is to get everything just right, learn how to "go" and "stop" ( ) Then next summer take a weeks vacation and just the wife and I sail around on Lake Texoma which is the largest man made lake in Texas and border northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma. Just a week long sailing adventure...with the little woman....alone.....(no kids).....in a tight confined space where she can't get away......in the middle of giant lake.....I think I have to go work on the boat now....and see if I can't get this trip speeded up a bit..... Thanks for being such a great forum....
Greg Ellis Plano- Texas (Dallas)

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Hi Greg...In my opinion, cutting into the fiberglass with attempts to construct an anchor locker sounds sorta "heavy duty" overkill. I'd simply secure the anchor to the foredeck, as many boats already do when sailing. Save the time and expense. The anchor, chain, and rope are easily stored off the boat when not in use. That would be my choice. The anchor locker requires a drain hole drilled through the hull (you may want to take a look at the complications in trying to build an ANCHOR LOCKER).
Hopefully someone will provide you with details concerning the other needs---spreader details, etc.
Happy Sailing to you and yours !!

[James V]

There is several ideas in the mod section. Getting a mounting bracket for the deck or putting it on the bow rail or getting a long bow roller for the anchor.

[Frank C]

Regardless of where you stow the rode, I highly recommend the time & effort to mount a bow roller. It makes it SO much easier to manage the anchor, up or down. The 26X anchor locker is rather shallow - but even with the anchor on a roller, I can understand the desire for a place to stow the rode.

Lots of boats use a chain pipe down to the bow cavity, under the vBerth. They usually have a sealed compartment with thru-hull for drainage. It's also prone to collect the nasty stuff that comes up with the chain ... if you're thinking of a chain pipe, you might consider adding a washdown pump & hose up near the bow. If I was working your problem, first place I'd look is under the vBerth.

Final thought - your best choice will depend on how you're using the boat. I usually work the anchor at the bow while a helmsman operates aft. But in planning my strategy for single-handing, the rode (at least) needs to lead to an aft cleat, then back forward to permit lowering the anchor across the roller while also managing the helm. In this scenario, it seems better to simply stow the rode near the cockpit. It will be best to assure your usage modes before cutting too much glass.

[Greg-TX]

I never thought about a pipe into the v berth, then I guess you would just drain it into the bilge pump? That's a great idea. I have found a guy with the local sail club here who is a macgregor fan. He is going to take me to the local sailboat club meeting and introduce me. I am excited about going and learning as much as I can...He wants to take me out on his boat a couple of times and feels that after 2-3 trips with him on his boat, I will have more confidence to get mine wet......I will let you know how it goes..thanks guys. Greg

[Frank C]

Whoa! - careful there Sailor. I never said drain to the bilge, YOU did.

No, I'd rather glass-in an under-berth "rode compartment" with a sealed access hatch for maintenance & cleaning. I'd be thinking about half the size of a laundry basket. The chain pipe (3" PVC?) would be sealed at deck & berth, with an access hatch cut from the berth, separate from the pipe - largely depends on what you see under that deck & under that berth. You'd need an optional pipe cover on deck (fitted canvas?) to help safe-guard this pipe from filling the compartment in heavy waters. But, design the compartment to a limit of no more than 3 or 4 gallons.

You might also want a scuppered thru-hull, above the waterline, yet below the berth - or just design-in a bilge pump - or just use a manual bilge pump when required. Plan to minimize the amount of water and mud that goes in (or might get in) there. You'll be displacing some flotation, but you might easily substitute an air mattress on the v-berth.

The alternative - an anchor locker - seems even more complex to me. You'd need to cut thru the foredeck, suspend a sealed chamber from the underdeck, create a hatch cover, and maybe still drill a thru-hull for draining it.

But - guess there's lots of ways to skin this cat. You still might be WAY ahead by stowing your rode at the cockpit~!!! I ALREADY HAVE an anchor roller AND anchor locker, and I'm thinking the rode might be best kept aft.

[Greg-TX]

Thanks Frank,
I hope you never grow tired of young sailors or open waters...!

[baldbaby2000]

I've owned 2 of these boats and wouldn't recommend trying to add an anchor locker. I think Frank's idea is fine. I just coiled mine up hung it on the anchor which was hanging on the bow pulpit, and bungied it. For the spreaders you can try Supersport Marine in Kearney, NE or perhaps Bill@boats4sail.

[craiglaforce]

If it was me, I would just get a Windline PM1 or 2 anchor rail mount for a superhooker anchor. Then I would get a metal horshoe hanger to hang the anchor rode also from the pulpit rail. These come with a retaining strap and snap that could be used to secure the coil. The one mod I might add would be a big, well backed cleat that is dedicated to the anchor rode. This cleat would be larger than the normal cleat to more easily accomodate the 1/2 inch rode size that is easier on the hands.

THings I dont like about the X anchor locker.
1) The rode gets all disgusting in there. Stays damp all the time.
2) That is where you need to stand to handle the anchor, But you also need to raise and lower the lid.
3) the lid needs to be cut to let the door close, with the rode leading out to the anchor.
4) the locker is not large enough to hold the 13# anchor, that I carry.


The other solution is just to store anchor and rode in a 5 gal bucket, and carry it to the foredeck when you want to anchor. You can also use this to easily anchor from the cockpit, then walk the rode to the foredeck cleat, and vice-versa to leave the anchorage. This gives single handing access to the helm while making these transitions.

[Catigale]

I follow the mantra 'the locker is for rodes, not for anchors"

My Bull is on a roller on the foredeck, I also store a knocked down FX 11 in the front locker as a spare - a wtench (7/16) which lets me put it back together is in waterproof container in the locker too.

I have a 150' rode, 20 feet of 3/8 chain and anchor tackle in the locker

I also keep a fender on a 25 foot line with a SS carabiner as a marker buoy since this stuff is so expensive. I would like to say it keeps the keel boats from anchoring near by on the Cape, but choosing 5 feet of water does that nicely by itself...

Two other things of note. I put a thin coat of Muly grease on the screws of my shackles and anchor attachment tackle which has kept them seizing up.

Instead of using the traditional wire for seizing these items, I use zip ties - easier to remove by clipping - inspect each time you use for degradation. Water does nothing to them, and they are kept out of sunlight generally so they dont UV degrade. I keep a half dozen spares in the locker tool kit too.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Craiglaforce has the "right" idea...a 5 gal. bucket. That solution makes it easy to carry, store, keeps the boat neat, and its totally uncomplicated. And, when you get a second anchor in the future...you already have a solution: a 2nd 5 gallon bucket.
The best idea in my opinion: hang the anchor nicely from the bow pulpit and save time, money, and a 'whale' of a job cutting through the deck building an anchor locker, lid, drain, and reinforcement.
Someone said wisely, "keep it simple" and "convenient" ... I've found that so true.

[Greg-TX]

Thanks guys, every time I sign on I am proud to be a part of this bulletin board, and learn something everyday....it is well worth my time to participate....thanks to all of you...

[James V]

Let us know what you do and how it works out.

I have found that a 25 feet of 5/16 chain helps a lot making the anchor hold.

[Frank C]

Chain? ... depends a bit on which anchor you use. For some strange reason, my aluminum Guardian seems fine with less chain.

I had about 20' of 1/4" chain on my Bull, but I found the chain a giant PITA in the locker and managing across the deck. I'm much, much happier with just 6' or 3/8" chain. There's less of it to manage, less to clean, but it adds just as much weight (catenary advantage) to the rode.

Try shorter lengths of bigger, beefier, heavier chain - you might like it!
Previous discussion on anchoring catenary, and the advantages of a kellet.

[James V]

I have an M and it has a bigger anchor locker. I had plenty of room to put the chain in and the 13 pound fluke anchor. The boat rode better with the longer/heaver chain and it set faster. Maybe better.

This is in the sandy bottoms of S. Fl.