Anchor Locker

[Sailboatman]

Hi All,

I am hoping to get your opinion on what to do if anything about our place for chain.

Right now we have pipe in the deck where the chain and rode can go. This area drains into the bilge. Our boat was built in 1974 and from what we have seen this was common for boats made at that time.

Have you found that this introduces more odors?

Thanks for your help with this.

[Swagman]

Hello Matey,

I've never had a hawse pipe feeding chain into the boat - but on one past yacht we did stored all our chain below and yes - it can stink especially if the chains been underwater for some time and attracted light growth. As it dies / rots - it smells.

I suspect you chain feeds down to below waterline, so isolating that chain locker space and making it self draining is probably a no-no. You might see if its possible to place a new floor into the locker above sea level - and if so make that an isolated space with drains over the side. Or live with the smell.

Good luck either way

JOHN