Windlass navel pipe plug?

[majdrew]

Hi,
I need something to plug the oval shaped pipe on deck leading to the chain locker from the windlass.

Ideally, a solid one for use at sea with no cable, and one to use with the chain cable.

Anyone any ideas? I thought maybe some sort of rubber plug.. but where could I get one?

Any ideas gratefully received!
Mark.

 

[Pye_End]

I use a rag - partly threaded through the chain, then stuffed in the hole as tight as possible.

 

[Searush]

I have seen wooden designs made in two halves that fit together over the chain then drop in the hole. Keep thinking about making one, but always something more important to do, so the plastic aerosol can lid with a slot cut in it will have to remain pro-temp. Annoying thing is that I had the original galvanised item tied on & didn't renew the lanyard before it rotted. So it goes.

 

[glynnffc]

Last month's Classic Boat had RKJ's page devoted to this question, and I seem to remember the conclusion was pretty inconclusive.
A wooden bung seems to be one answer, but Plasticine was also mentioned.

Following on from this , how do you keep the anchor chain from splashing mud, etc all over the inside of the boat before it gets into the locker.
Plastic pipe, split around the chain seems to be the most popular, but not very attracive next to my sleeping head.

 

[Poignard]

I have a strip cut from an old sponge. Lift the chain about an inch, wrap the sponge around it and then push the chain back down into the pipe.

 

[ianabc]

1. Threaded stainless steel cap, with o ring seal, on pipe attached to deck

2.. Inside of cap has eyebolt welded/bolted in place facing down

3. Anchor chain or line is shackled to eyebolt (Probably a good idea to paint bitter ends bright yellow.....

 

[JayBee]

No really good ideas with the chain in the pipe. Ships usually use cement to do the job, but not really a very yachtie solution, is it?.
With the chain stowed for sea I have used a wooden bung and then had to chisel it out approaching an anchorage at the end of the trip.
The bung had got wet and had swollen incredibly tightly into the round pipe. I had anticipated this and fitted a hard eye to the outer surface of the bung, but ended up pulling the fastenings out!
I have found that a soft, solid rubber ball of suitable size from any handy toy/sports store now does the job pretty well.

 

[moody1]

[ QUOTE ]
Following on from this , how do you keep the anchor chain from splashing mud, etc all over the inside of the boat before it gets into the locker.
Plastic pipe, split around the chain seems to be the most popular, but not very attracive next to my sleeping head.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why split the pipe ? Our boat has large bore semi-flexible pipe fitted between locker and underdeck of naval pipe (spurling pipe). It's an interference fit and holds itself in place. Chain is fed through by using length of cord and then re-attached to anchor.

Back to OP - best IMHO is sponge or rag, then if you need the anchor - you can pull out chain and "plug" clears easily. Any other form needs removal. Normally we don't plug and rely on the flap supplied with pipe. We have not had water in locker for this yet. We used to place a plastic bag over and garden twist-tie to hold in place. (The reel of garden twist tie is really handy on board for tidying up stray cables, keeping things under control).

 

[majdrew]

Wow thanks for all those ideas!

My pipe is oval, and never had any flap to close over it, and is a horizontal hole, straight down, if you see what I mean..
so you can see the need to make it watertight somehow.

Anyhow I can try all those solutions and see which works best.

I too was wondering the best way to enclose the cable from pipe to locker to keep clean the berth.. large diameter plastic tubing seems to be the way to go..

Thanks again!
Mark.

 

[pampas]

<u>Following on from this , how do you keep the anchor chain from splashing mud, etc all over the inside of the boat before it gets into the locker</u>
The best way is to fit a anchor wash system. I Tee`d off from toilet suction through pump to another Tee, the anchor wash has a shut off valve before going to pemanently fitted pipe to the under side of th bow roller, the other side of the Tee goes to the deck wash/fire hose. That hose is cable tied to the lower guard wire and is coiled behind the dodger. I find the mud residue inside the boat has been reduced by about 90% and the deck wash is long enough to wash the fore peak out as well. All in all it is the best system that I have ever fitted. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Ardenfour]

mould a plug around the chain using silicon rubber sealant - comes in various colours as per bathroom sealant

 

[LittleSister]

How about a large cork stopper (when all chain below)? You can get large (i.e several inches diameter) cork stoppers for food jars, etc. (try a cookery shop - I seem to remember having to hunt a bit to find one big enough(for a different job)). Whittle & sand down to your navel pipe size/shape.

With anchor chain in place - as above but with slot cut for chain: width of slot as per dia of chain link; slot open one side and going about 3/4 way across; will need to reduce thickness of stopper near the slot to allow the stopper to slide between the links either side of the one passing through slot. Probably limited life, hence use (or when fails convert to) De Luxe model - use cork for outside edge (fitting into pipe) with slot just slightly smaller than overall width of the chain links, and glue on bit of plastic or metal sheet cut to form the slot of link diameter.

I had planned to do this on my boat this coming winter, so if anyone can see the flaw in this cunning plan, do let me know.

 

[Bosunof]

Won't the cork float out when a sea breaks over it? I am looking at a hinged metal flap. That might doi the trick.

 

[LittleSister]

[ QUOTE ]
Won't the cork float out when a sea breaks over it? I am looking at a hinged metal flap. That might doi the trick.

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends on how tight a fit you make it. (The cork doesn't float out of wine bottles!) Maybe I didn't make it clear that I meant that the cork should be tapered, as per a cork stopper in a jar.

 

[ColinR]

try plastecine

 

[samwise]

Had the same problem. The chain feed off our Lofrans Royal went straight down into the locker and any greenies coming over the front ended up going into the locker and the bilge, but via the end of the forepeak bunk.Damp toes are not nice!

I designed a simple swivel plate with a notch in it to fit around the chain. The plate pivots on a single ST screw with washers either side I made a cardboard template of the plate and took it to a stainless steel fabricator who made it up for me. The application of some thick rubber to the underside provides quite a good seal and keeps out most of the water. Never seen anything like this commercially available. The boat is in France at the moment but when we get it back ( hopefully next weekend) I'll take a pic and send it to you with a PM.

 

[majdrew]

Yes thank you samwise that sounds like a good idea.

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Sounds interesting and since I'm facing a similar problem I'm curious how your design works.

 

[Poignard]

Me too!

May I please have a copy of any sketches, photos you might be sending to others?