On the port cockpit bulkhead, resides an old compass. Try as I might, I don't seem to have a good picture as of yet, so you'll have to wait until I get back up there to see that. Take my word for it that it's hurting. While it physically works, the mounting leaves a lot to be desired. There are plastic threaded rods that go through the opening and then some nylon nuts holding the body of the compass forward against the outer trim ring of the compass. It's hard to describe, but if you can imagine a standard compass, and then if you were to push on the globe and the globe part of the compass pushes inward, that's what it's doing. I've been able to try to tape and use glues to try to hold the back of the unit fully forward, but it's a temporary fix at best.
To rectify that situation, I was able to pick up a Richie Venture compass, a BN-202 model. I believe it might be a little larger than the one that's on the boat now, but that's ok. I'll be able to enlarge the opening, fit this in it's place, and seal and adhere it correctly. This BN-202 retails for $350 on up depending on where you find it, and I was able to find this one in good condition, complete with everything but the box, for just over a hundred dollars on ebay.
As evidenced by my possession of a 45 year old boat with cracked paint, missing cushions, and an outboard on a bracket, I am by all means a budget boater. Being able to find a good value online is the name of the game. I don't have sponsors, I don't ask for handouts on social media, or forum posts. I'm of the mindset that if I can't afford to do it on my own, then it's not meant for me to do. If anyone wanted to support what I do as a hobby, that's great, but I'm not basing my enjoyment on the charity of others.
The frugal shopping didn't end there. Last year, I bought a brand new Fortress FX-16 anchor. Now, that wasn't exactly frugal - I paid full price through Defender. But as I had then just recently bent the shank on my old Danforth and since it had proven reliable, I decided to just upgrade to the modern version. I do need an anchor swivel to mate with it, which is on the shopping list for tomorrow, since the chain does tend to bind here and there in the anchoring scheme. One of the things I had contemplated though, was adding another style anchor to the hatch. There are complications to be overcome, for storage. Walking around the marina, I've seen plenty of plow styles on bows, and it was one of the options I considered when I bought the Fortress. In my meandering around ebay whilst purchasing the compass, I stumbled across an ad for a Rocna "Big" anchor. It's the Rocna 15, original design with the roll bar.
The Rocna 15 (which is 15kg, or 33 lbs in weight) is definitely an over-sized anchor for my little Newport 28. I have a displacement listed at 7,000 lbs. I've lost the Atomic 4 weight, but added back an outboard and extra battery, so it's mostly a wash. Add all the rest of the gear, and lets call it 8,000 lbs. Four tons. The Rocna 10, a 22 lb model, is already considered a step over what I would need, and the one above that? With the proper rode, I'm guessing cleats will break first. And I do plan to upgrade my already-adequate 1/2" anchor rode to 5/8" instead, mostly for comfort when hauling it in. Retail on the Rocna of this size is again, around $350 dollars or so. Perhaps it was just the way the listing was made, but I only had one bidding competitor, and when the auction ended this morning, my purchase price was $147.50. Granted, shipping is another ninety dollars due to size and weight, but I'm still coming in over a hundred dollars under retail, more when you factor in shipping from the retailer as well. Between the Rocna and my Fortress, I should be plenty covered for most of what I do. And both can be transferred to whatever the next boat will be. That leaves me with another project though.
Neither the FX-16 or Rocna will fit in my chain locker, not by a long shot. The Danforth I had, was close but still no cigar. I usually leave the anchor in the cockpit locker until it's time to drop the hook, at which time I pull it out and walk it forward, shackling it to the chain and proceeding. The chain locker hatch has no notch for the rode, nor hinges or anything to hold it in place, other than gravity and that the lip of the lid sits in a channel of sorts. It's sole purpose in life is simply to cover the rode inside it. The Fortress being so light isn't an issue to carry up front. A little cumbersome, careful not to snag things, but manageable. I cannot foresee the same being said of a 33 lb Rocna. And while I can find hangers or mounts for the Fortress, I really do not have the desire to spend hundreds of dollars on a vertical stanchion mount for the Rocna, nor do I really have the real estate to do so. So one of the early projects this year will be to build a bowsprit of some sort to secure an anchor roller onto. I've talked it over with my Dad and there are a few different paths that can be taken. One suggestion made was to cut back the locker lid, in one fashion or another. If all it's holding is the rode, it doesn't need an opening nearly the size that it currently possesses.
Other ideas for this year, would be to finally double the battery bank and add a 2nd solar panel, ideally on a bimini cover, and maybe even add an actual wind gauge this year. Another higher-priority item is to finally get the interior cushions made to dress up the cabin. I'm thinking I'll add a wood backing board and just go simple, but I may actually change the foam over to a 4" firmer foam for the seating. As I tend to sleep on the port-side settee when I'm on board, I think what I bought last was a little softer than I'd like.
