Interesting People, and an Anchor Windlass

You know, one of the best things about living on a boat, on the water, is that you get to meet some very interesting people. This is John Guider, a Tennessee man, who like me, has discovered that his place in the world, is a little different than the norm. He is currently rowing and sailing his 14 1/2 foot Chesapeake Light Craft that he built himself, around the great loop. Two months at a time, he started in 08, and is hoping to complete the trip next year. If your interested in this unique individual, you should visit his website at www.johnguider.com. The few moments I spent talking with him while he was camped at our yacht club where wonderful, and his exploits have inspired me to add a similar trip to my bucket list, but not until we're done sailing Vita.

 Keen, driven, and misunderstood by the rest of the world. Sounds familiar. In fact, "normal people" call us crazy.

In the news world, we are delayed yet again. Our son had an accident this week, and his car was totaled, so I spent 3 days of boat work time driving him around looking for a car. The boat has been coming along well, but we are still massively behind. Our friend Rick has been completing the fibreglass work, and he's almost done, just a little jelcoat matching. We are not accustomed to accepting help, but in this case we are damn glad to have it. The good news is that we have an anchor windlass. We can't use it, because I haven't put in the hawse pipes, but its close. Bayfield 29 owners will notice in the picture that anchor locker door is a little shorter than the original design. Rick gelcoated, and added a non-stick surface . There is still some touch up to do to the gelcoat, and the hinges to put in, but it looks original, doesn't it.

Set up on cedar blocks, bedded with 3M 4000.

 There is a lot of aluminum, and a lot of stainless bolts for the backing plates. We put in 4" angled, 1/4" thick aluminum to transfer the load into the whole fore deck. The windlass can be forced to take some nasty loads, if the chain stop and the snubber let go during a bad blow. Not to mention the lifting of 130' of chain and a 33 lb Rocha anchor, every day.

Looks good on the bow. I just wish I had of taken a little more time and made a nicer job of the 4000, but a storm was coming, and my Dad was there visiting, so I was rushing just a bit.

Also have managed to get some sewing done. Barbecue cover, more vent covers.....

 And some very nice, very effective spray skirts.

 She is starting to look like a cruising boat.