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zooter · 26-08-2012, 12:37

I have a working fix for the chain locker pile up problem. With 400' of all 5/16 chain it works great. I used a gear motor from a marine head. You could use a wiper motor too. With the gear motor mounted under the deck I use a 1"x 20" stainless tube with an eye bolt on one end and the other on the gear motor arm. Wired across the windlass motor this thing slaps the chain as it falls and presto, no more pile up. Million dollar idea for free!

**Dockhead** · 26-08-2012, 12:57

Great idea, but I just stand in the chain locker and flake with my foot. Works a treat and even cheaper

Lagoon4us · 26-08-2012, 13:04

Trained my cat to sit, dont bother with anchor or chain any more,,
Years ago there used to be a rotating spurler to do this, i've googled to no avail.
Did fit a foam filled roadside witches hat beneath it worked well.

Also i used a 3inch pipe with a cap welded on directly below so the chain could not favour one spot to fall. It was very good.... Cheers and welcome to the Forum.

**noelex 77** · 26-08-2012, 14:38

Welcome to forum Zooter
A plastic traffic cone in the anchor locker is sometimes used, successfully, to spread the chain out and stop it pilling up in a heap.

**Snore** · 26-08-2012, 15:34

I am confused as to why letting the anchor rode heap is an issue.

Insight as to the "why" of the question would be appreciated.

meridian28 · 26-08-2012, 15:39

mine heaps up and blocks the opening to the deck.

**Cheechako** · 26-08-2012, 15:44

It's amazing how well it piles up in a nice neat column, then it jams the windlass!
OP: doesnt the wiper get caught in the heavy chain occassionally? If anyone wants a new Gear drive 12V motor, I have an old one that's new in box.....bigger than a wiper motor...

bobconnie · 26-08-2012, 17:56

I used some Old Pilot House windows(lexan 3/8s thick) And made a 4 sided box shaped like 4 triangles sorta like a Big traffic cone LOL the chain seems to just coil it's self into this box cus the sides are very slippery!! just sayin some bodys junk is gold to me sometimes !!

gjordan · 26-08-2012, 18:43

Two reasons you dont want you chain to pile up in a tall cone. #1(already stated) is that the pile can get so high that it jams the chain pipe. #2 is so that you dont pull in a couple of hundred feet of chain and make a nice tall cone, and then sail out of the harbor, get heeled over and have the pile fall over and create a big tangle that you wont discover until you get to your next anchorage. Yes that can and does happen. Any method of spreading the chain out is good._____Grant.

sailful · 26-08-2012, 19:37

Zooter. I have the same problem with 400' of 3/8 BBB. I use a boat hook to distribute the chain as it comes in. I really don't understand your system. Do you have a photo?

Lagoon4us · 26-08-2012, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Welcome to forum Zooter
A plastic traffic cone in the anchor locker is sometimes used, successfully, to spread the chain out and stop it pilling up in a heap.

Thats the witches hat i spoke of,,,,, Some foam stops the crush.. Cheers

**Don L** · 27-08-2012, 04:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailful

Zooter. I have the same problem with 400' of 3/8 BBB. I use a boat hook to distribute the chain as it comes in. I really don't understand your system. Do you have a photo?

That's what I do also, just push the pile to one side of the other as I bring it up. I never would have even thought there was some type of "fix" worth spending any money or time on that would be worth replacing the boat hook method.

zooter · 27-08-2012, 07:57

my 50' boat has no deck acess to the chain locker. whatever the windlass drops down the pipe has to get out of the way for the rest. The importance here is I can drive the boat, pull the anchor and leave the anchorage without going on deck. I safe the anchor while underway on the pilot.

zooter · 27-08-2012, 08:09

I got mt gear motor off a head in the trash. I tried the plastic in mine, however, the locker was not deep enough. Digging in marina dumpsters is like working a gold mine.

zooter · 27-08-2012, 08:52

The stainless tube has been beating my chain for 9 years with no failure. It doesn't have to do much more than tap the chain a little to keep it from piling up. Sometimes when using the whole 400' it will pile up with 20' to go so I let out 10' and it gets it right the next time. I will send a drawing to anyone interested in fixing "the pile up"