Block and tackle for an anchor ?

[Serin]

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!

 

[Neeves]

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!

I think you are overly harsh on mature, female non sailors (or sailors). I am sure many mature, male sailors would do exactly as you do and would not waste their time trying to explain what is needed - mature, male, non sailors seem to ignore advice and stubbornly want to do it their way (which can result in serious injury). Not me of course but mature, males seems to be prone to the development of selective hearing (though my wife does elude to such an ailment, occasionally (each day)

Keep at it and continue to show how age is just a number.

Jonathan