The anchoring setup has worked out VERY nicely and was quite a surprise when it's full functionality was discovered. If you look at the diagram left you'll see a bunch of sail bags behind the anchor; this is Billabong's garage, which is a watertight compartment. To this we added partial bulkhead that forms the primary chain locker (nice and low and aft). The bottom of the new locker was then glassed over with Kevlar (for both impact and chain chafe protection). The top of the partial bulkhead is covered with a trimmed piece of stainless tubing which allows me to move some of the chain further aft for the long passages. The best feature is the flexible hawse pipe, which is just a 2 inch diameter hose attached with stainless tubing bracket under the windlass and 6 inch sleeve at the bottom for chafe protection. Attached to one side of the hose is a bungee cord and to the other side is a line that goes up through a block to the deck where I use the windlass remote. This allows me to pull on the line that moves the flexible hawse pipe back and forth and automatically flakes the chain for me. If I need to move anything it's all right there; a quick jump down the ladder.
 

In one side of the old anchor locker I keep the backup Bruce anchor and rode ready to go at all times with a small bin to keep the chain under control. The other side holds the dingy fuel and keeps it (and its fumes) way out of the way. I always keep a short piece of line on deck attached to a chain hook. This allows me to quickly take the load off the windlass if needed. It allows me to remove the primary chain (held secure and out of the way) and feed the secondary anchor rode/chain around the windlass OR I can feed all the primary chain into the other side of the old chain locker (remove the safety lashings) and add backup rode to the primary anchor.
 

55 lb Delta Primary with 250' 3/8 High Test Chain
Chain stored in bottom of water tight compartment as far aft as possible
 

Lofrans vertical capstan and chain gypsy electric windlass with hard wired up foot switch.
Hand held remote allows controlled up-down function from foredeck or cockpit
 

44 lb Bruce with 75' 3/8 Chain 315' 7/8 Nylon Rode
 

Fortress FX55 Anchor
 

West Marine Performance 35 Danforth Type Anchor
 

Goiot 55 Danforth Type Anchor
 

Bronze Fisherman Type Anchor (yes that’s SIX anchors)
 

Suncor Stainless Anchor Swivels (Two way swivel and standard)
 

Spare rode and chain
2 sections of 300 foot 3/4 anchor rode, 150 foot 7/8 rode, 450 foot 5/8 parachute anchor rode (pre-stretched)
3 Sections 50 foot 3/8 Chain with 1/2 Stainless Shackles and Quick links to match the load rating of the high test chain. 1 section 3/8 high test for chain Danforth to Bruce or Delta in short scope or mud situations.
 

Chain snubber bridle (stainless plate with slot with two lines to the deck) with 25 foot ½” lines
 

Deck wash down, located in anchor rode compartment (with Y valve for salt or fresh water selection)
 

Heavy stainless, twin bow roller setup with removable pins. SS deck wear plates installed.
Hawse pipe and Bow locker have water proof inserts to keep the water out during passages. It’ll find its way in .. we know of a boat that got to the Marquesas and found out their windlass was submerged in water in their bow locker for the entire 22 day trip, needless to say it did NOT work when they went to anchor.
 

Hand held depth sounder to double check the swinging area in coral bomie infested areas. Also helpful for checking pass depths in remote un-charted areas.