Swan 48 anchor locker drainage issues

Hi, We have a Swan 48 (1972), and wanted to seek advice concerning the draining of the anchor well.

There are two drain holes at the end of the anchor well and these drain holes are just above the anchor well, they drain out the sea water from the anchor windlass. 

I noticed there used to be a 80mm diameter hole that is now blocked off at the end of the anchor well bulkhead, there is also another hole that is in the end of the port bunk and can assume that this must have been for a pioe that took sea water from the anchor well and then water into the bilge?

When sailing sea water enters through the anchor windlass and assume a previous owner must have added the drain holes that are above the waterline and blocked off the pipe hole taking sea water into the bilge?

May I ask if other Swan owners of similar vintage have the same set up arrangement? and seek any advice on this matter?

Thanks

Dear Jonty,

correct, not original.  " ...a cup of water poured in one of the far ends of the boat should be collected at the deepest point of the bilge...".  That's Rod Stephens mantra.

I would certainly onen again the filled drain on the bulkhead and a simple canvas cover on the windlass will prevent water to get into the anchor locker.  It worked 100% for me (see photo).

Fair winds!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Matteo, 

Do you find this solution safe upwind under heavy seas in the North Atlantic?

Brgds

Carsten

Dear Carsten,

I think it's safer than having (not original) drain holes on the hull.

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Hi Jonty,

did your previous owner add an additional laminated floor into the anchor well that is above the waterline? 

The original setup, I believe, is a V-shaped anchor well (the naked hull, so to speak) that drains through the big hole in the centerline -- continuing all along the centerline, under the tanks, and into the deepest part of the bilge. There is actually no other simple way to drain the well, as I think the bottom of the well is below the waterline. 

I'd agree with Matteo -- I'd prefer to stop or slow water ingress through the chainhole rather than drilling holes into the hull (with the notable exception of the bowthrust ... but that is a different topic).

Fair winds, Martin (Vellamo, 48/039)

Hi.

Thanks for the replies, I think over the winter will block of the two through hull drain holes and re-establish the single pipe that can then be connected to a suiatble sea cock.

Also will make sure the windlass is a sea proof as is possiblke.

Regards

Jonty

Hi.

If you anchor in areas with clay or weed, the problem of the anchor locker draining into the bilge,I have found. Is that it is almost impossible to remove all the mud and weed from the chain, when the anchor is retrieved. This debris ends up in the bilge and can cause smells.

It may not be an issue if you are fortunate to anchor, always on a clean sandy bottom !

Paul B