Echoing Cheechako: Yes, pics will help us to help you.
The Newport 30 is not significantly different from TrentePieds, although perhaps 1,500 lbs lighter. And since we
cruise the same waters, I thought you might like to know that while TP has a capstan, I really only ever use it for stowing my rode. And here is the reason:
My bower is a 33 lb galvanized original Bruce. Some people disparage the Bruce because "modern" anchors are allegedly "better". For my kinda cruising it is quite adequate, and that has to do with the fact that the Salish Sea is really only a big bathtub where the
weather is usually benign. And when it is not, you are never more than about two hours from actual shelter. One of the places where the swell occasional can be bothersome is Centre Bay on Gambier because it is exposed to a 40 mile long fetch with the swell running straight into the bay for a funnel effect. But that's a rarity in the Salish Sea.
My rode is 7 fathoms of 5/16" chain and 35 fathoms of 3/4" 3-strand nylon. In all the common
anchorages in the Gulf Islands that permits a
scope of 7 even on a 16 foot rise of tide.
It is not, IMO, good practice to warp the boat forward using the capstan/windlass. No need to put such strain on the
electrical system. I come forward slowly on the
engine until I'm "up'n'down", taking in the rode hand over hand as it slackens. I leave the rode lying on deck while I'm doing this. Even at the age 82 I have no difficulty hauling up the anchor by main might once I'm "up'n'down". I then stop the anchor in its chocks using a "devil's claw".
A bucket of
water will wash the rode before it goes in the locker. The locker drains through a scupper about 3" above the
water line but below the grid in the bottom of the locker upon which the lode lies.
My Capstan is a Lofran's X1. It, like much modern yacht
equipment, is a manifestation of the
marketing principle that "pretty" beats "useful". Its principal failing is that the spurling pipe is too small in diameter to let the rope-to-chain splice pass through easily. It always has to be "helped". Once the splice is through the spurling, the rest of the
rope will usually stow by running the capstan, but not always. The few feet of
rope twixt the spurling and the pile in the locker simply doesn't have enuff weight to pull the remaining rope through the spurling. Help is then required. Once we are onto the chain part of the rode, it stows properly.
So given that the capstan always needs help from me, or at least supervision, I might as well not have it!
You might also like to know that TP will not lie still
head to
wind, and I dare say that your boat won't either. All "modern" boats (fin-keeled sloops and cutters) with
roller furling headsails will "hunt", which is a pain for other people in a crowded anchorage. Therefore, once my hook has set, I take the rode aft outside the shrouds and belay it on a sheet
winch. TP will then slew around and lie perfectly still and windrode, quarter to the
wind. Such techniques are perfectly viable in the Salish Sea because the conditions there are, at least in the summer cruising season, so very benign.
Cheers
TrentePieds
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