Anchor chain fairlead cover

[MikeBz]

We have a fairlead in the afternoon deck for a stern anchor:



The boat has bulwarks, so whenever a wave comes over there are inches of water sloshing around for a while which results in the locker beneath being doused with salt water. The locker contains anchor chain and warp, kellet (now rather rusty), numerous assorted spare bits of line, gas bottles and so on. I’d rather it wasn’t permanently salty and damp. Ideally I’d have a snap-on cover for it (maybe a good application for a 3D printer). In the US there is a similar looking product with a spring-loaded lid but I can’t find anything like it in the UK. Any ideas?

Worst case I’ll just make a lid out of nylon and clamp it on with a plate underneath, through-bolt and wing nut.

 

[ash2020]

Hey Mike. If you can give me exact dimensions I'd be happy to 3D print one for you (for the cost of the postage). Message me if you're interested. Andrew.

 

[MikeBz]

Wow, thankyou Andrew! I’ll measure up next time I’m at the boat.

 

[thinwater]

I suspect a plastic cover alone would get lost in the first windstorm.

I think you will need something like a weight that drops into the slot. A short length of chain? If that is the case, an oval of wood with a rubber gasket would do. The 3D part with a lip would be very nice, but you still need the weight or a latch.

 

[ash2020]

Wow, thankyou Andrew! I’ll measure up next time I’m at the boat.

I'll need the depth as well as the width and length. I would think TPU, which is very flexible and should grip. Am I right in thinking that top plate hinges up or is it fixed?

 

[ash2020]

Wow, thankyou Andrew! I’ll measure up next time I’m at the boat.

I'm thinking maybe even something like this. Bearing in mind it would be flexible, like a tupperware lid, you could push the T section in and twist, until it dropped over the fitting. Dunno.

 

[MikeBz]

I'll need the depth as well as the width and length. I would think TPU, which is very flexible and should grip. Am I right in thinking that top plate hinges up or is it fixed?

The top plate just lifts off - it’s normally held in place by the chain, one link poking up through it with a shackle through it. But I’d rather keep the chain in the locker (maybe shackled to the underside of the cap as @thinwater suggested). I’ll take some more pics and measurements.

 

[MikeBz]

@ash2020 I've sent you a message.

 

[ash2020]

There you go. Hope it works. M8 thread for an eye bolt. good luck.

 

[MikeBz]

That looks great, thankyou. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[MikeBz]

Perfect! Thankyou @ash2020!

 

[thinwater]

That's a good story!

 

[Cerebus]

I'm thinking maybe even something like this. Bearing in mind it would be flexible, like a tupperware lid, you could push the T section in and twist, until it dropped over the fitting. Dunno.
View attachment 200645

That is clever (for the hinged ‘flap’).

Do you design things for a living or is it simply something you are good at?

 

[ash2020]

That is clever (for the hinged ‘flap’).

Do you design things for a living or is it simply something you are good at?

Thank you. I'm actually supposed to be retired. I used to design medical equipment. I have a part time hustle on Etsy but I'd much rather be doing one off designs.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SharpShapes