Anchor chain deck pipe question

[mait]

Hello

I have an idea to build a waterproof compartment in the bow of my Shipman 28 for anchor chain. Asking for some thoughts, advice.

Current situation is:

-Anchor is stored in the bow, chain not attached. (I have a stern anchor handy for emergency situations or short breaks).

-Chain / rode combo is neatly stored in a special 2-compartment bucket (chain in the middle compartment and rode coiled around it) in cocpit locker.

To use the anchor I drag the bucket to the bow, attach the chain and lower the anchor. I don't have windlass as I don't see the need for it in the boat this size.

Why I want to change it?
A. I want to increase the chain part of the ground tackle, maybe even use all length chain. The bucket would become too heavy to drag around.
B. Cocpit locker space can be used better while there is no use for the bow locker at the moment.

Building the waterproof compartment would be quite straightforward, some glass mat / cloth and poly resin. Compartment can be accessed via watertight hatch from bow cabin. Drains out both sides.

What bothers me is the "deck pipe" or "navel pipe" to lead chain through the deck. They tend to leak as we know and Shipman 28 is not very dry riding boat in waves. There are different solutions, all somewhat glumsy or just not neat (i.e. modeling clay, tennis balls over the chain etc...)

Why not use a deck filler screw cap (like fuel filler cap) as a deck pipe? Like this: https://www.svb24.com/en/deck-filler...me-plated.html
Attach a small hook to the cap to hang the chain. To prepare anchoring one would unscrew the cap, pull out the end of chain and attach it to the anchor. The chain for Shipman 28 would be 8mm, like this https://www.osculati.com/en/11004-01...70-8-mm-x-50-m
It should feed through fuel cap type pipe OK, I hope (opening ca 30mm vs chain link 26mm). Or maybe not?

This proccess of anchoring like this does sound slow but it would definately be no slower than dragging the bucket from stern to bow and then start attching the chain.

Am I over thinking? Maybe go for standard lid type navel pipe and stuff some rags into the opening to waterproof?

Some photos of current setup:

Kobra 12kg anchor in the bow:


Orange chain/rode bucket in the bow:


Stern anchor 7.5kg Bruce with ankarolina webbing + some meters chain: