www.iFourWinns.com

Hello All:

I had to cut my anchor recently so I'm the proud owner of a new anchor and rope / chain. My dealer walked me through the bascis on how to get the remains of the existing rope off and then put the new stuff on but I wanted to see if anyone has done this and could offer any advice. I have a mirror in my forward birth and my dealer says behind it is an access point for the anchor locker. Suggestions on to best tackle this job?

Thanks!

Bill
2005 328

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2005 328 Vista
2006 200 Horizon

You can't get to the locker from topside?

I have a nice hatch on my 318 that let's me in there...

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

My anchor locker is behind the mirror as well. Remove the mattress and I think there are 2 screws at the bottom and then pull the bottom toward you and the top will slide out (no screws). However, if your line is still good, just go buy a bunch of chain and then splice your line to the chain. Many of the bigger boats like more chain than line anyway. Here is a good demo on how to splice a line to chain: http://www.animatedknots.com/chainsplic ... dknots.com. I just had to re-splice my anchor and it is simple to do.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

You need the access through the hatch behind the mirror to attach the bitter end of the rode to the cleat that should be in the anchor locker.

First lay out the whole rode and chain on the dock or through the windshield back and forth through the cockpit (or side decks if you have them) so there are no kinks in it (It's really a two person job). Thread the bitter end of the rode through the windlass into the anchor locker and secure it to the cleat with a bowline. You'll probably have to work through the access hatch over the forward berth to secure the line. Once that is secure, have someone work the windlass to pull all the line and chain through the windlass and down into the anchor locker. Don't touch it, or move the pile at anytime. Just let it fall and pile up in the locker naturally. Someone needs to stay topsides at the windlass to make sure everything is flowing freely with no kinks or twists. Keep going until the anchor reaches it's bracket.

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Jerry
2004 378 Vista "Escapade", T-Mercruiser 8.1 SHO
2003 Maxum 3300SE
1987 Wellcraft San Tropez
1991 Chaparral 2550SX
1987 Bayliner 2150
!967 Caravelle 1751

Or, if your boat is in a slip, what we did with my neighbor's new rode and chain, we just used a kayak to take the rode out to it's full length, let it drop in the water, then used the method described above to let it flow into the locker until it was all in. It's going to get wet eventually, so it does not hurt to do it this way. It seemed better than having it all over the boat while getting it in.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy