Date: 9 August 2017. Anchor Locker Leak Fixed.

© janice142

The rains of summer have arrived and with a vengeance. Much to my chagrin I discovered that water can seep into my cabin from the anchor locker door. When making my bunk with fresh sheets I discovered the far end of the mattress was damp. Here's how I solved that problem for less than a dollar.
 

Access to the anchor locker is via the small square locker door at the foot of my bunk.

On a boat when a leak is discovered part one is always finding where the drip originated. That can be problematic as water tends to go a long way before showing up inside the boat. It's a real pain in the transom to track down leaks.
 

This time I was lucky as I could easily see where the water was entering my cabin. Of course using the word "lucky" when it comes to having a damp mattress could be considered a misnomer. The good thing was this: I discovered the leak quickly. The best part was that I was able to remedy the situation with materials found onboard the boat.
 

The loop of line shown in previous picture on left side, hooks on a SCREW. That keeps the door open.

The door naturally wants to close. The screw/loop combination prevents the door from shutting.
 

The problem was this: Water was flowing down the inside of my anchor locker. It's supposed to do that.
 

Then the door happened. Water would go along the inside of the door panel. At the bottom water would then come to the other side of the panel and into my bunk/cabin. That's when the foot of my bunk got damp.

WATER FLOWS down the anchor locker door and then into my cabin.

 

Having tools and supplies is important for extended life afloat. That said, it is not my belief that you should go out and buy tons of tools as soon as you buy a boat. Your basics of course are needed. The esoteric however can be bought as you go along. Simply buy extras as you come upon a need.

If I need four nuts and bolts in a particular size, I'll buy ten. Four to use immediately, two to drop in the bilge or overboard, and four more for the next project. Although I started out with what I thought was a lot, I have more now than ever.
 

Some items are repurposed. For instance, I had run across a set of flexible cutting boards at the Dollar Tree. I originally thought they'd be great for their marketed use. Then the leak caused me to rethink that.
 

This is the package I bought:

 

My anchor locker problem entailed water. I needed to prevent it from coming into my cabin. I thought that if I could divert the water away from that forward bulkhead at the doorway the problem would be resolved. After much thought I pulled out my plastic cutting board set.
 

One flexible plastic chopping mat aka cutting board was used for this project. Two come in the package. I did buy a second package for future projects.
 

When I find an essential and inexpensive item I usually acquire a spare for ship's stores.

I used regular scissors. It was easy to cut to the width of the locker opening. I made the plastic piece one inch longer than the door. It fits inside the anchor locker when the door is closed.
 

Because the mat is flexible bending is not an issue.
I can easily tuck it inside the locker as I shut the door.

An old ice pick poked holes into the cutting board. Two screws secure it to the door.

Please note the cutting board is attached to the frame. This is both above and outside of my anchor locker interior. The teak frame does not extend into the anchor locker. Only the small cutout section is inside the locker.

I wanted to make sure that water would have a straight down hill track. I did not want the water to ooze out the bottom of that door.
 

As the water flows down the inside of my anchor locker, it hits the cutting board. Water goes all the way down the plastic until it passes the bottom of the locker door. That diversion prevents water from leaking into my cabin at the bottom of the door. The water simply drains to the bottom of the anchor locker.
 

Aboard Seaweed, the anchor locker drains into the bilge.

Though not perfect, this is a working solution. Water does not get into my cabin. My bunk has been dry over the past few thunder-boomers. When tropical storm Alice came through, my bunk stayed dry.
 

	Photo repeated for your convenience.   ← GLASSES AND A FLASHLIGHT are stashed near the anchor locker door. Every place aboard Seaweed where I might need to see I have an extra pair of Dollar store magnifiers and a flashlight too.   Previously, it seems that every time I sat down to reach into a locker I had forgotten my glasses. If I remembered the glasses, my flashlight would be across the boat.
After that happened enough times I chose to buy a half dozen pairs of glasses. They are stashed anyplace I might need or want them. The same holds true for flashlights.

I could have hard-wired more 12-volt lights. Realistically speaking however, the flashlights are used for brief periods of time. The batteries seldom need replacement. I have dropped a couple in the bilge which is the death knell for the inexpensive flashlights I use.
 

If it's easy and it works, it's not wrong. That's the way I look at things anyway.

There are professional ways to fix a dripping anchor locker door. They would include gasket material and secure latch-down systems. I opted for an inexpensive, simple and effective solution.
 

That said, I live aboard a small boat without a lot of cash flow. I am so blessed to be out here. I honestly require nothing more. This is a wonderful life. Even a damp bunk can't keep me down. The mattress dried out nicely too, so all is well.
 

Besides, I've got friends.

One friend of mine is Gus. He likes hotdogs.  Have I mentioned it's rained quite a lot lately?!?

This is a rather damp Gus. He is a Night Heron. Gus lives in the mangroves behind Seaweed.
 

Hoping you and yours are having a great day.
 

Is access to your anchor locker on deck or in your forward cabin?
And, does your anchor locker drain overboard or into the bilge? 

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Categories: Gear, In the Bilges, Money, Wild Things,

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