Willard 7m Anchor Locker

[ncp]

I started this project a long time ago. It's been sitting in the corner of my garage and I pull it out and work on it when I have time. I've lost some of pictures but attached what are what I have on my phone.

I was inspired by bigtalljv's locker and did some further research on some stitch and glue boat building forums. I've never quite done anything like this and that's why it took so long (and lack of effort for months at a time) - I stopped and researched every step and there was plenty of heavy sanding and starting over. The point to building it and getting the anchor out of the bilge was for ease of access when there are lots of people in the boat. When either surfing, diving, or cruising, gear always ends up piling up on the deck hatch.

I have removed the two cleats on the deck up by sampson post and box will bolt down there using the existing holes. The hole in the lid will allow the rode to pass through.

$100 in epoxy, $100 on paint ($50/quart - epoxy primer & poly topcoat), $50 on a sheet of 1/2" marine ply

[ncp]

Epoxy, woodflour, cabosil mixture holding it all together

[ncp]

More wood

[ncp]

Glass

Tried to put 10 oz on the bottom and learned quickly that it doesn't like to make turns. Ended up using mostly 10 on the inside for durability and 6 oz on the outside.

[ncp]

It's amazing what a little primer will do. Left out is the multiple coats of fairing compound and sanding prior to paint.

Even in these two pictures where the epoxy primer looks great, it needed a solid sanding with 220 and 320 before top coat.

[ncp]

More sanding

[A1an]

There is something satisfying about making something yourself.

Especially when it comes out as good as that looks.

[ncp]

I tried rolling and tipping twice... Couldn't ever get the paint to flow out. Had to sand sand it down each time - and the topcoat was not easy to sand!

Gave in and bought a gun from harbor freight and borrowed a compressor. Came out much better though hardly perfect (drips and sags that required more sanding a couple of reslrays)

The last step will be some non skid in the center of the lid. I'm going to do deck of boat at the same time to match.

When I bolt it on, I'll try to remember take a picture and add it to the end of this thread.

[Bigtalljv]

that looks great!

Jason

[ynp]

Great box