Anchor Locker Volume?

What is the height of the locker under the hawsepipe?

I find that chain stores better than line although it has been 20 years since I ve used line. Chain also allows you to reduce scope.

you may have to go in after half the line is retrieved to store it in way that work and then finish retrieving the rest

I have no knowledge of the Luhr's locker, but some experience with anchor handling. As Pascal mentions, height is the key.

Looking online for anchor locker details I found the below image.


Looking at this, the biggest problem will be depth directly under the windlass. As the saying goes - you can't push rope. Getting it to slide down the inside of the hull to the rear of the locker could be a problem.
If only the windlass shelf was aft, then the problem would be reduced.

Pascal's advice on more chain reducing scope is good. Putting a bit more chain on is often not a bad idea. One of our local clubs has a rule that boats have double the length of the vessel as a minimum. It also adds a bit more weight towards the end of retrieval that can push down the rope in your locker.

8 plait behaves as close to chain as any rope, but tends to not go into corners as well as chain. In small lockers it has the advantage that it can be hung in loops from the top of the locker. This is a good idea if you only use 100ft normally but want to carry 300ft. Hang the excess before pulling in the last 100ft. If you hang using light line/twine then in an emergency situation it will break the extra rode free.

New rope will behave nicely as it is very flexible. As it spends more time in salt water it will stiffen up. This helps with grip on the windlass, but can result in a locker that worked becoming a problem. One trick is to use laundry fabric softener to soak the rope and it will become more flexible.

In short - RER has the idea, you will need that length anyway and then you solve problems if/when they occur.

I have the same issue with my chain locker. Whereas the locker is plenty deep, the windlass is mounted toward the forward end of the locker. Chain slides down the hull but the 8 plait does not. I anchor in deep water (300' +) so I have 600' of 8 plait and 100' of chain. I have a hinged access door just aft of the windlass. When hauling in the anchor I open the access door and stand there with a boat hook. About every 25' or so I pull the pile of 8 plait aft so it gets into the deep part of the locker. It's pretty easy and I have become skilled at doing this while continuing to haul in on the windlass at the same time

I have contemplated moving the windlass aft to align the hawse pipe with the deep portion. However, the access door I mentioned means there is no structure over the deep part of the locker. I would have to add structure and then install an access to the side of the windlass. Seems like way too much work and effort just to avoid a few pulls on a boat hook.