We have a PVC pipe and shelf in the chain locker to help the chain fall properly into the locker but, it still sticks to the shelf and "castles up" and jams the windlass, unless the chain is perfectly clean and scoured by sandy bottoms. Never the case in the Chesapeake. We decided to install an aluminum plate on the shelf to help the chain slide better.
To work in the chain locker it helps to have a slender mate who can climb up to the peak -
We'll see if this works any better than the starboard shelf.
** Post trials report: The aluminum shelf didn't make any improvement and might be worse. We will give it a little more testing but looks like we will be removing this and returning to the original starboard. We have previously tried spraying the starboard with Pam which seems to help. Key is to keep the shelf clean and slippery. It doesn't help that our chain is old and has surface rust and oxidation on it.
To work in the chain locker it helps to have a slender mate who can climb up to the peak -
We'll see if this works any better than the starboard shelf.
** Post trials report: The aluminum shelf didn't make any improvement and might be worse. We will give it a little more testing but looks like we will be removing this and returning to the original starboard. We have previously tried spraying the starboard with Pam which seems to help. Key is to keep the shelf clean and slippery. It doesn't help that our chain is old and has surface rust and oxidation on it.
