Installing windlass and Anchor hatch

[viper1]

I bought an Islander and there is no anchor hatch. Which surprised me as i have seen many with a windlass on them. After looking in the cabin I see a metal plate in the bow of the bow. Forming a sort of compartment. My idea is to use a small windlass and drop the Rode in to there. Which means cutting a hole at least for a anchor rope to fall through. Problem is i feel i should add a hatch cover too. As a way too access the rode in case of tangles. I would also want to add a liner of some kind. With a small drain line to the floor. So water don't fall onto the cushions in the cuddy.
Ok any ideas, suggestions or comments? I'm sure some one makes such a thing. But all my searches find anchor hatch lids. Not full units.

 

[Bondo]

I bought an Islander and there is no anchor hatch. Which surprised me as i have seen many with a windlass on them. After looking in the cabin I see a metal plate in the bow of the bow. Forming a sort of compartment. My idea is to use a small windlass and drop the Rode in to there. Which means cutting a hole at least for a anchor rope to fall through. Problem is i feel i should add a hatch cover too. As a way too access the rode in case of tangles. I would also want to add a liner of some kind. With a small drain line to the floor. So water don't fall onto the cushions in the cuddy.
Ok any ideas, suggestions or comments? I'm sure some one makes such a thing. But all my searches find anchor hatch lids. Not full units.

Ayuh,.... I bet yer Islander ain't like My Islander,..... Mine is a tinbarge Starcraft Islander,... What's yer's,..??

Got any pictures of where/ what yer seein',..??

 

[viper1]

No Title

Yes its a 1987 Starcraft Islander Hard Top. Yep a tinny! Is there any other type of boat? Pretty Cherry for the age. I had hoped it would be one with a winch on front. But I found this one and it was so nice i stopped looking. Dirty and the out side needs buffed and waxed. But other then that solid. I was lucky the first owner treated it like a baby. The last one just fished. But he did have a certified mechanic take care of it. 400 hours on engine. But i located a Breeze windlass for it. And it needs a vertical drop. Seems there is plenty. I now need to add a compartment i can drop it into and a hatch to be able to access rode and anchor.

 

[bobdec]

No Title

Here is a concept you may be interested in. I'm not sure how much strength an aluminum bow has, you may need to reinforce it from below. Requires a couple pieces of heavy aluminum or starboard, uses wing nuts to access the rode locker unless you have inside access. As far as a container search on ' hatch liners' and maybe you can find a correct size and depth with a little fabrication to add a drain line. Could probably drain it to the bilge and what little water that drips off the rode will eventually evaporate in the bilge, or you can run a thru hull drain if it's up high enough above the water line.

 

[viper1]

Hes that is what i had in mind. Except i was going to add a hatch so i could access the rode in case. But now that you mention it. I will have access in the cuddy if i design it right. Also thought, depending on the amount of water, maybe a 10-12" high container on bottom would be enough to catch water. That would leave easy access from the cuddy. As far as strength. I'll place a 3/8 thick and 10-12" wide length i don't know yet, aluminum in the underside of the bow to spread the stress out. And maybe tie into the boat floor if possible. What ever i can do for strength. Thanks for the pics. Up till now been all in my head!

 

[Bondo]

Hes that is what i had in mind. Except i was going to add a hatch so i could access the rode in case. But now that you mention it. I will have access in the cuddy if i design it right. Also thought, depending on the amount of water, maybe a 10-12" high container on bottom would be enough to catch water. That would leave easy access from the cuddy. As far as strength. I'll place a 3/8 thick and 10-12" wide length i don't know yet, aluminum in the underside of the bow to spread the stress out. And maybe tie into the boat floor if possible. What ever i can do for strength. Thanks for the pics. Up till now been all in my head!

Ayuh,.... Got any pictures of the point in yer cabin on yer boat,....

I can't feature what yer thinkin', lookin' in My '74 Islander cabin,...

In mine, I can sorta see usin' a plywwod panel to create a rope locker, might have to cut the point outa the cushion, 'n compartment lid,...
Nothin' in that area to tie the end of the anchor line to either, have to fab up something,...
Drainage wise, water would follow the keel, all the way to the bilge,...

 

[viper1]

No Title

As you see there is a plate cutting off the tip of the bow. Not exactly sure how its fastened in yet. As the boat is covered out back. But i took these pics when i brought it home. If this is enough space I thought i could use it. And as you see i can reach in from both sides on the bottom or from the top for access. Being metal im assuming its fastened in some where as a support. But like i say, i haven't investigated that yet.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Yer cabin is more finished than my ole '74,....

Ya, I agree, that sure looks like a little rope locker as it is,....

If it don't have a drainage tube, it shouldn't be to bad puttin' something in,...

 

[viper1]

What i thought too! Shocked me to find that was a metal plate. As my other cuddies were ply wood as you mentioned.

 

[Bondo]

What i thought too! Shocked me to find that was a metal plate. As my other cuddies were ply wood as you mentioned.

Ayuh,.... Hopefully, there's already limber holes directin' water right straight down the keel line to the pumpable bilge,....

 

[viper1]

Well finally got in the boat the other day. The boat tie on the front of hull comes through and has about 1.5 inches of 1/2 studs inside. So i figure thats where I'll tie off the anchor end. Also figure may help with the strengthening of a pulpit. Figured Id run an aluminum bar down the center of the hull inside and bolt to them. Then bring 10r 2 bars up to the inside of the cabin . Bolt a large flat aluminum plate to the ceiling and bolt the pulpit through that to spread out any pull. Just not sure what to box in the rope area with. As its a triangular area will be hard to find something. So maybe some Plywood Fully coated with epoxy or something to help with moisture.