Serin
Well-known member
Thank you. I know full well that my chain is heavier than is needful, but I doubt if I could locate an 8 mm gypsy for my equally ancient Simpson Lawrence windlass. And I have no real need for an electric windlass. Getting the anchor to the stemhead isn't the problem. It's getting it back on deck that was making me fear for my back. Hence the halliard handy billy. The anchor is a dreaded CQR and it has dragged on only one occasion. That was when my late, Mediterranean sailor, husband insisted on using an all octoplait rode, which wrapped itself around the keel and we dragged merrily along for half an hour in a Force 6 until we could unwrap it. He and I fitted the boat out together from scratch and in 50 years that was our only disagreement about her construction or equipment. He conceded on that one.
The surveyor says the boat is "in fine fettle" and good for "decades" more of coastal and offshore cruising, but I doubt if I shall still be at it in a decade! The people I sail with always want to help with the anchor, but as they are usually not sailors or as ancient (and female) as I am, I prefer to do it myself. Safer and quicker than than trying to explain it all and watch them struggle!
The surveyor says the boat is "in fine fettle" and good for "decades" more of coastal and offshore cruising, but I doubt if I shall still be at it in a decade! The people I sail with always want to help with the anchor, but as they are usually not sailors or as ancient (and female) as I am, I prefer to do it myself. Safer and quicker than than trying to explain it all and watch them struggle!
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