Chalk up two "Warm Fuzzies" for me today.

All chain anchor rode isn't necessary enough in this part of the world (New
England) to justify the weight and space on a 32 foot boat. I'm planning
some cruising during hurricane season though and it sure would be nice to
have a bunch of chain if I have to ride one out "on the road (or rode)"
somewhere.

There has been a large plastic container in the bilge of the boat that the
PO used to store fuel filters, and other spare parts. "Strider" isn't the
stiffest boat in the world so I've always thought that was a silly place for
such light stuff.

I relocated some wiring and installed a wooden slat against the floor
framing to hold the container more securely. Then I took it down to Hamilton
Marine and had them fill it up with chain. It came to 130 feet which I had
cut into two parts and put shackles on each end. With the two 25 foot
lengths on each rope anchor rode, I now have 180 feet of chain on board. The
new stuff will sit in the bilge being ballast alongside the 35 pound lead
ball with an eyebolt in it that already sits in a cradle below the
floorboards. It will be a comfort knowing it's there even if I never use it.

That didn't take long so I next relocated the fuel filter from its truly
atrocious location. Checking and draining the sediment bowl meant removing
everything (Fortress anchor, rode, and chain; fenders; spare line container;
kedge anchor rode, dinghy oars, etc.) from the cockpit locker and crawling
headfirst down into the engine space and over the shaft. This meant shutting
down the engine. Replacing the filter had to be done working blind through a
small door from the quarter berth. Awful.

While checking something else on the engine, I suddenly realized that there
was enough space between the forward engine mount and the removable
companionway ladder / engine cover to mount the filter in just about the
most convenient place on the boat for checking, draining, and element
replacement. It's there and it will be a snap to add the vacuum gauge when
the Racor dealer gets them back in stock.

I don't mind a bit that I missed a good sailing breeze. I even found the
watch I lost a couple months ago lying in the bilge and still running.
Fixed the strap and it's back on my wrist.

--
Roger Long