Tartan anchor lockers and bilge odor

[captaintz]

We are looking at acquiring either a 93 Tartan 372 or 89 Tartan 40. Our concern is the anchor compartment has an access door in the V berth and we can not tell if this compartment drains into the bilge. Will we be bringing mud and salt water into the bilge and or foul odor into the v-berth? We sail in Rhode Island and anchor in stinky mud. Our prior boats all had separated anchor lockers with a drain to the exterior. Anybody have experience with the Tartan's?

[Tortuga's Lie]

I had a Tartan 37 (S&S design) for 20 years with the same configuration as what you're looking at with a louvered door in the V-berth to the anchor locker. Mine drained into the bilge but I never really noticed smelly mud, and here on the Chesapeake, we have a lot of muddy bottoms to deal with......that's one reason I installed a wash down pump!
My T-4100 has a locker that is sealed off from the rest of the boat with over-board drains so Tartan at some point changed their design of the locker.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, TZ.

[captaintz]

Thank you for the feedback regarding your T-37.

[Snore]

There is a Tartan Owners Group on Yahoo. As you have already made the wise choice to buy a Tartan, you should join the group. You will find a good number of 372 and 40 owners there.

I know there are some T-33 owners who are original owners. Having access to long term owners is priceless.

[Symphony]

I had a 1988 T34-2, which is of the same design style as the 37-2 and the T40 you are looking at. the anchor locker drained overboard, near the bow. we never had any anchor mud smells inside the boat while sleeping in the V berth.

my T34-2 was one of my favorite boats. I bought it the first day it was listed for sale, and I sold it within two days of listing it (to buy a T4100).

enjoy

[UNCIVILIZED]

If you find that you want to change how the locker drains, it's simple enough to do. You seal the bottom of the locker & then drill overboard drain holes on both sides of the locker at the low point, & cover them with clam shell type vent covers.

Having a way to access the rode from belowdecks is important so that you can knock down any chain castles that form, add a tie in point for the rode's bitter end, & access all of the fasteners for your bow hardware from the underside. Including adding backing plates, nuts & washers, etc.

You can make the access door vapor tight, or even watertight, but having access to that area of the boat is critical. Imagine if you need to work on the windlass, clean the locker, or add an extra pair of bow cleats. That or to unsnarl the rode, as it gets stuck at some point when you're dropping anchor.