Originally Posted by Peter B
............... You don't have to go out in the rain...ever...
I see statements such as this a lot on forums but I wonder - don't you have to go to the bow to release whatever you use to secure your anchor while underway? Don't you have to go to the bow to release whatever you use to take the load off the windlass while anchored?
I have a pretty common windlass (Lewmar) and the instructions are pretty specific not to rely on only the windlass when anchored or underway. The rode must be secured independently of the windlass.
I installed switches at the bow and since I'm already there, I almost always use the bow switches and remain at the bow, even if it's raining.
You took me a bit literally there Wes. I meant, if its p***ing down, attaching the retaining hook, if it's come up, or the anchor strop or bridle, if it's just gone down, can wait until a more convenient time. Attaching those things is not exactly a 'must do this instant' issue, is it..?
But what really gets me in all of this is this. My boat's cheap. Most of the stuff on it is quite cheap. My navigation instruments are years old, and comparatively cheap, because my pockets are not as deep as I'd like. I bet the vast majority of you have sophisticated electronics to do most other stuff, way better than what I have, and good on you for having it. I don't even have an autopilot. Yet I found it worth my while to install a quite cheap chain counter, while all of you go to extraordinary lengths with all this fricking chain marking stuff, when you could just put a chain counter on. Beats me, but I guess it's kinda like sayin'..."I have all this other sophisticated stuff that I don't really understand how it works, so by God...I'm gonna have something that dates back to caveman days, I do understand..." I guess that works for me in a sort of way, if that's what floats your boat..?
Oh yeah...and happy Christmas, all...