Rope Locker

RJC2628 · Post by **RJC2628** » Mon May 16, 2005 4:00 am

I am interested in learning the configurations of the rope lockers on the 33' FBC. Specifically, do you all have a plywood "floor" tabbed into the fiberglass? How deep is it, i.e. how far below the level of the access hatch? I have such a "floor" and it sits just below the level of the hatch. I have a Goode windlass that feeds directly into the rope locker. It often fails to retrieve due to the rode piling up directly under the feed. I am reluctantly considering removing the floor and lowering it or otherwise putting some other type of bottom to the rope locker. It is so well installed I hate to take a saw to it, but it is a problem. I am also considering upgrading to the chain/rope model that Goode is promoting right now. This would likely have a longer rode and more chain, so the problem will likely get worse. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks. Ron Callahan SCOUT 1980 Convertible

Post by **dougl33** » Mon May 16, 2005 5:24 am

Ron, Sadly I've never actually poked my head in there. I will make sure to do so the next time I'm on the boat. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

RJC2628 · Post by **RJC2628** » Mon May 16, 2005 5:26 am

Doug, Sadly, there are NO places on my boat that I haven't stuck my head. Ron Callahan SCOUT 1980 Convertible

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon May 16, 2005 5:51 am

i have the same setup as you and someday would like the chain model as well. my problem is not bringing the rode in it is releasing the anchor the rope gets kinked slightly and does not release properly so i have to send the admiral down to guide to the cabin to guide it through.....maybe you have more rode than i do...i think i have 300 feet. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

RJC2628 · Post by **RJC2628** » Mon May 16, 2005 6:24 am

Tim, I have that problem, too. My goal is to be able to set and fully retrieve the anchor from the bridge. I'm getting too old to be running up forward and down to the forepeak while the boat is drifting toward the rocks! With the current set up I have to bring in the last few feet (chain) by hand even if the windlass is working properly. Ron Ron Callahan SCOUT 1980 Convertible

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Mon May 16, 2005 8:03 am

Was in there painting a couple of weeks ago. I have a fiberglass base and I'd have to measure to be sure, but would guess that I have an 18"-20" depth from the deck above??? I can measure this weekend. Did you say you have a deck hatch? I only have a deck pipe currently for a manual anchor line feed. I have purchased a bow pulpit from Glasstech and plan on installing sometime with new Maxwell windlass. I'm interested in anyone's feedback regarding chain/line length combination, type of line, or any other ideas / issues I should watch out for? Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

Post by **dougl33** » Mon May 16, 2005 8:36 am

I also have a hawse pipe as opposed to a full hatch. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

RJC2628 · Post by **RJC2628** » Mon May 16, 2005 8:46 am

Brian, The hatch I referred to was the bulkhead hatch which opens from the forward cabin into the rope locker. I have an aluminum pulpit through which the windlass is mounted. I currently have about 250' of 5/8" nylon with about 6 feet of 5/16" chain. If you buy a self storing windlass that doesn't handle chain then you will be faced with hauling the anchor manually for approximaately the length of chain that you have. I highly recommend a chain/rope type regardless of the brand. I have found the people at Good to be very helpful and they make a rugged product. I think I am going to upgrade to their chain/rope model. They claim the switch out from the rope only to the rope/ chain is relatively easy. I'll let you know. Has anyone ever modified the rope locker to remove or relocate the plywood "floor"? Ron Callahan SCOUT 1980 Convertible

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Mon May 16, 2005 10:46 am

Ron, I'm guessing that it is closer to 3' deep from the deck above. I carry 300' of 9/16th rode with 20' of 5/16th chain. It gets swallowed up by the locker. I also left in, pushed off to the side, the original 150'??? of rode from the dinky little Danforth that is stored in chocks on the deck. Under one of the stern hatches I also carry a 22 lb SL Claw anchor (Bruce knockoff)with 300' of rode & 20' of chain. My primary anchor is a 35 lb Kingston Fastset. AL 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Tue May 17, 2005 8:13 am

I had a Goode windlass. Got tired of the jam up and rebuilding the motor all the time. Line still kinked, even with a swivel. I took it out & sold it for $200. Got me a great big Fortress and 12 ft of chain and 300 ft of 5/8 double braid. Now I use my Anchor Wench. Anchor goes right where I want it, when I want it. I like to sleep at night when I'm on the hook. Gene Dugan

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Mon May 23, 2005 5:30 am

Measured my anchor locker this weekend. I only have 20" of clearance at the aft edge, floor to ceiling, and 22" of clearance about 12" forward where the fiberglass floor tapers down for a drain hole. I'm wondering if mine is different then some of yours since it is a 1990. You guys sound like you have more depth? By the way, spoke to Maxwell technical guy who told me don't use anything but 8-plait line (not 3 strand) if I want to avoid kinks and jams. He said they hear about 3 strand problems everyday. 8-plait doesn't have a memory like 3 strand and you can hold a lot more length in an anchor locker than 3 strand. FYI Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

Post by **dougl33** » Mon May 23, 2005 5:48 am

Brian, Do you have a separate shower stall? If so, could you please post pics at some time. I'm dying to see how Bert made it work. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:20 am

Doug, Yes, I have the separate stall shower introduced with the 1990 model. The closet in the V-berth is a single door width instead of a double door. Going into the bathroom, stall shower is on left and head to right. I'll try and post some pictures at some point. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:22 am

quote:Originally posted by Brian Davin By the way, spoke to Maxwell technical guy who told me don't use anything but 8-plait line (not 3 strand) if I want to avoid kinks and jams. He said they hear about 3 strand problems everyday. 8-plait doesn't have a memory like 3 strand and you can hold a lot more length in an anchor locker than 3 strand. FYI I had a freefall windlass on my old Pro-Line that I installed, and I put in 3-strand 1/2" line with 30 feet of chain. It only occasionally jammed when releasing, which was no big deal on that boat because there was a rode locker hatch on deck to open and fiddle with the line. Loved the whole setup on that boat, anchoring and re-anchoring was a breeze. 30 foot chain always made the anchor stick and it was easy to move from spot to spot when bottom fishing. I've been looking at putting one of the freefall windlasses on my B33 SF, but you guys have got me thinking about that shallow rode locker. If it jams up, someone has to go below all the way into the berth to untangle, no fun. And I wouldn't dare trying to make a fiberglass deck hatch myself, am all thumbs when it comes to fiberglass. I like the idea of the braided line as you mention, but I've never seen a windlass that can: 1) Freefall function 2) handle the chain too 3) handle the braided line. Usually the freefall gypsys will only take the 3-strand stuff, which we all know likes to bind below deck. I think maybe because the braided stuff is too smooth for the gypsy to grab. Anybody know of a windlass that can do all that? Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Mon May 23, 2005 11:01 am

Sean, Take a look at this Powerboat Report Feb. 2004 that conducted a windlass test. http://maxwellwinches.com/powerboat_reports_page1.php (If I linked correctly) I bought the Maxwell RC800 (the 500's big brother). Haven't installed yet, but claims to be able to do what you've listed as your requirements. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT