Since we have 300 feet of 8 plait with 30 feet of 1/4" G4 chain, and also retained the original deck plate, we wanted to make the "bin" where the anchor line is stowed forward of the V berth so it would hold the line, and prevent water from getting on the bunk.
I measured the dimensions of the top of the fiberglass bulkhead which forms the current "bin", (since this anchor locker did not have a drain, I made a drain hole, making sure that there was no way water could get between the hull and the v berth).
From these dimensions, I made a paper pattern, and then laid out on Sunbrella the trapezoid which would cover this space.
The Sunbrella was cut with a hot knife to seal the edges.
I folded over about 1" all of the way around, and cut out the corners to avoid excess material. The bottom had 1" wide by the entire length of 8 oz dacron sail tape placed in the fold for the seam. I always use a small piece of 8 oz dacron sail tape to give more substance and stiffen the Sunbrella when putting a fitting thru it. The bottom is held i place with #10 flat head screws, the flat head and a finish washer, to give more surface area on the inside, and a washer and nylon nut on the side toward the bunk secured the bottom. Holes in the re-enforced bottom were made with the point of a soldering iron, to avoid fraying. The top was sized so that a 1/2" wooden dowel would fit thru the open seam. I used SS/rubber support clips secured to one of the bolts on the bow pulpit. I put 1/8" seine net twine for the tie to this clip around the dowel and thru the Sunbrella. I made it a little "baggy" so that if any line overflowed, it had plenty of room. We seem to have enough fall for the chain and rode--although we may have to double check it under some conditions when we bring the rode in. It takes a couple of seconds to undo the ties if we need direct access to the rode or chain. Total cost less than $15. I had ordered about 10 yards of 61" wide sunbrella which matches our boat cover. This is being used to make a radar cover, windlass cover, foredeck shade and any other canvas projects we can think of. We do have access to a professional "ConSew" 1 hp machine for the sewing. Most good household sewing machines will do two layers of Sunbrella, but you are restricted to fairly light thread. We used V 69 Dacron thread for this project.
I measured the dimensions of the top of the fiberglass bulkhead which forms the current "bin", (since this anchor locker did not have a drain, I made a drain hole, making sure that there was no way water could get between the hull and the v berth).
From these dimensions, I made a paper pattern, and then laid out on Sunbrella the trapezoid which would cover this space.
The Sunbrella was cut with a hot knife to seal the edges.
I folded over about 1" all of the way around, and cut out the corners to avoid excess material. The bottom had 1" wide by the entire length of 8 oz dacron sail tape placed in the fold for the seam. I always use a small piece of 8 oz dacron sail tape to give more substance and stiffen the Sunbrella when putting a fitting thru it. The bottom is held i place with #10 flat head screws, the flat head and a finish washer, to give more surface area on the inside, and a washer and nylon nut on the side toward the bunk secured the bottom. Holes in the re-enforced bottom were made with the point of a soldering iron, to avoid fraying. The top was sized so that a 1/2" wooden dowel would fit thru the open seam. I used SS/rubber support clips secured to one of the bolts on the bow pulpit. I put 1/8" seine net twine for the tie to this clip around the dowel and thru the Sunbrella. I made it a little "baggy" so that if any line overflowed, it had plenty of room. We seem to have enough fall for the chain and rode--although we may have to double check it under some conditions when we bring the rode in. It takes a couple of seconds to undo the ties if we need direct access to the rode or chain. Total cost less than $15. I had ordered about 10 yards of 61" wide sunbrella which matches our boat cover. This is being used to make a radar cover, windlass cover, foredeck shade and any other canvas projects we can think of. We do have access to a professional "ConSew" 1 hp machine for the sewing. Most good household sewing machines will do two layers of Sunbrella, but you are restricted to fairly light thread. We used V 69 Dacron thread for this project.
