On my '81 Cutter, the chain locker in the forepeak is always filled with water. I assume the water drips from the chain when we've anchored, and also comes in through the chain deck pipe when it rains. It almost seems that the forward water tank is glassed to hull along the centerline, and there is no path or channel for water to drain from the chain locker under the tank and into the bilge. And I am right about this - does anyone else have this issue?
Phantom, the '81 ketch, does not have a problem with water accumulating in the chain locker. I have not looked to see how it does drain.
Brian,
Maruska never has water in the locker as well. Currently, the anchor "holder" is off,all the forward cleats and chocks, as well as the windlass. Ok... there is a bucket over the hole of the windlass but lots of rain water still comes in. There is a drain hole at the bottom at the V to allow the water to get under the forward water tank. The water drains into the bottom of the boat and collects in the depression around the mast, a less than wonderfull design. I suspect this is why so many of us had to replace the mast base.
You could install a hose in the bottom of the chain locker and run that to the keel bilge to eliminate water build up around the mast. This is on my list as well, but as I am in fresh water it is no where near the top!
Good Sailing... Dale
I thought there was a drain hole at the bottom of the locker that drained that area into the bilge.....at least there was on THIRD DAY and it looked factory installed. But....it is a small drain hole and gets fouled with mud/gunk easily.
Brian,
Sea Dragon has/had the same problem... I reduced the problem by modifying the deck pipe. The water in Sea Dragon's chain locker was mostly fresh water. Below is the link to my approach to solving the problem.
http://www.sailingseadragon.com/AnchorLocker.htm (http://www.sailingseadragon.com/AnchorLocker.htm)
Garner