Block windlass chain hole

[arch007]

Installing a windlass.

Wonder how people ensure mice and rodents do not enter the boat via the hole
Where the chain drops from the windlass into the chain locker ?

Thanks

[Alan Mighty]

Usually a chain deck pipe fitting of some sort. Also called hawse pipe, chain pipe, spurling pipe (but each of these names are also used for other things).

Often the chain deck pipe has a plate, either hinged to the chain pipe fitting or free and slid into and out of slots.

The plate has a perforation, shaped to accommodate a link of chain. So the plate holds the chain, removing any persistent force on the windlass from the pendant or hanging chain as it falls down a navel pipe (perhaps) to the chain locker.

The plate obstructs larger beasts. Snakes have been known to enter a chain pipe fitting even though barred by a plate.

[Bellinghamster]

That spurling pipe with a hinged cover is exactly what I'm looking for... where'd you find the picture?

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Bellinghamster

That spurling pipe with a hinged cover is exactly what I'm looking for... where'd you find the picture?

Internet!

It's probably a Davey casting (or copy thereof). Try https://rwrope.com/collections/davey...31051592499302

I personally prefer (and have) a deck pipe with a free plate (it's attached to the pipe fitting by a short length of wire rope) that slides in and out. I don't have a good pix of my own chain deck pipe, so I looked on the Net.

Edit: the image came from https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/12...g?v=1490665774

[sailing_gal]

I have a much lower tech solution. I putchased some nerf balls and cut a slit for the chain and stuffed them into the hawse pipe.

[John Hornung]

Tennis ball!

[Nico Domino]

Depending on your windlass, I use expanding foam when I have to block chain entrance, predominantly from water.

[Searles]

Plasticine modeling clay ,fits all shapes ,plus not a biggy if lost

[kryg]

The chain deck pipe still allows a surprising amount of water into the boat in heavy seas. Solution - I heated up a short section of chain and cut a foam pipe kids use in a pool as a float down one side. Just like a hot dog bun, I had the hot chain melt its shape inside the foam pipe. I had inserted the anchor chain like a hot dog into the split foam pipe floaty, about 12" long. The foam now closed around the anchor chain as it has the inside shape of the chain. When I sail out in the ocean first I put the foam moulded shape around the anchor chain, and let the weight of the chain hold it in place, effectively blocked the windless inlet hole. No more leaks. !!

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

Usually a chain deck pipe fitting of some sort. Also called hawse pipe, chain pipe, spurling pipe (but each of these names are also used for other things).

Often the chain deck pipe has a plate, either hinged to the chain pipe fitting or free and slid into and out of slots.

The plate has a perforation, shaped to accommodate a link of chain. So the plate holds the chain, removing any persistent force on the windlass from the pendant or hanging chain as it falls down a navel pipe (perhaps) to the chain locker.

The plate obstructs larger beasts. Snakes have been known to enter a chain pipe fitting even though barred by a plate.

[GEH]

My chain locker drains into the bilge. It was remarkable how much water can come down the chain pipe when burying the bows in green water. My solution is to mould plasticine around the chain in the opening to the chain pipe under the winch before sailing offshore. This has proved effective.

[BillKny]

Here is a detailed description of another solution I used on my old boat:

https://fetchinketch.net/2015/10/29/...e-in-the-boat/

[Clivevon]

"a foam pipe kids use in a pool as a float "
They are called pool noodles, I believe. Cheap & surprisingly useful in several ways - & in the pool, too.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by arch007

Installing a windlass.

Wonder how people ensure mice and rodents do not enter the boat via the hole
Where the chain drops from the windlass into the chain locker ?

Thanks

Depends on what windlass you get and the type of chain pipe location. The pipe stand (suggested from Alan) will let in less water than a straight drop down like Bill showed a very good solution to plug it up.


What are your choices so far?

[Catboat Willy]

Whatever technique you use, its a good idea to block it! We took to survey, a Nonsuch 36 in the Florida Keys. The surveyor found that termites had swarmed down the hawse pipe and started working on destroying the forward bulkhead and that forward bulkhead was one inch marine plywood. Probably a few moth balls in there would have saved the day.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by GEH

My chain locker drains into the bilge.

Our anchor locker drains overboard. Complete crash bulkhead separates the anchor locker from the rest of the boat. No holes, no wires breach the bulkhead. Drain hole goes forward out through the stem 9" above the waterline at rest.

I really don't like the idea of water draining into the bilges.

Pete