Securing anchor, spreaders, prop shaft questions (new owner)

[rwsandersii]

Hello everyone,
My wife and I are new owners of a 27'. 
I have a few questions.  I usually hang out at the Compac yahoo group, but it is a bit dead lately and questions have gone by with no reply. 
1. How do you secure your anchor on the 27?  Is that what the forward hole in the stainless fitting for the forestay is for? 
2. Our Compac 23 had spreaders that were open tubes at the end and it had to have spreader boots, but the ones on the 27 are smooth, can we do without spreader boots?
3. What have people used to cover the area over the prop shaft?  I'm a bit concerned that leaving it open could lead to lines or other bits of stuff getting tangled on the shaft. 

Also I guess I should introduce myself.  I'm Richard, my wife's name is Lisa.  We bought a new 27 in 2010 and haven't had the chance to get her in the water yet.  We're planning on sailing the majority of the time on Stockton Lake in MO, but I'm already trying to lay the groundwork with Lisa for a Duluth MN to Chicago IL cruise in the future. 
Our 27 is called "Of Beren and Luthien".
Richard

[Bob23]

Hi Richard and Welcome:
   I have sailed on a friends 27 but myself have a 1985 23/2 so I don't have any firsthand answers to your 27 questions but given the number of 27 owners and former owners who hang around here, you should get some response eventually.
   1. Do you have a bow cleat? Did you get a manual with your boat? I'd imagine some of the anchor questions might be addressed there. My 23 has a bow pulpit with integrated roller for storing the anchor.   
My 23's spreaders are closed end tubes but I still have spreader boots. I don't want anything remotely sharp touching the sails.
 

[rwsandersii]

Thanks Bob,
I had a 23 for 19 years.  Loved the boat and I'm hoping to get at least as many years sailing the 27. 
I got the manual, but it doesn't get down into these kind of details. 
I'm only hoping to do without spreader boots because for the 23 I used the plastic ones and they'd look terrible after a season or two from sun damage.  If the consensus is still use them, I'll try the fabric ones with the buckles. 
The boat has 2 cleats and the bow roller, on the 23 I used to be able to route the chain around the single bow cleat since it was centered then into the hawse pipe.  For extra security I used a poly cord looped through the chocks and the shank of the anchor.  Since the 27 has 2 cleats, I'll have to rely primarily on the poly cord which doesn't seem as secure.
Richard in MO.

[bmiller]

Welcome.
I used to secure the anchor by using a small piece of line through the first available link in the chain and tie it to the upright of the pushpit. Use a knot that is easy to undo with one hand, just in case.
Always had spreader boots.
Never had the prop shaft covered and never had an issue. We did get Pooka healed enough to cause a problem if there was going to be one. But then the cockpit lockers were pretty well managed. Plastic milk crates worked great for things that might get loose and find their way down.

I'm really missing my old boat.

[rwsandersii]

I'm really missing my old boat.

Did you sell her and are sailing something else? 

Richard in MO.

[bmiller]

Well, yes and no. It's a long story.
Enjoy your boat. They're pretty good.

[skip1930]

Well Rich. For the CP-27 you may wish to look~see at these for ideas and pictures to stow the anchor. Do a skip all posts search for

-->Danforth Anchor On Bow Roller w/ Anchor Pin Suggestion.

« on: December 19, 2009, 11:08:45 AM »<--

Run spreader boots. It is cheap insurance. Cheap enough to replace every couple of seasons.
Additionally I run those wheels that fit around the standing rigging and sit on the spreaders. Lets the sail roll off the spreader.

I can't help you with the shaft alley cover.











skip.

[rwsandersii]

Thanks skip. 

[Catalina9405]

Richard,

Welcome.  Glad to hear of another 27 in Missouri.  I sail Shambhala our 1988 on Lake Jacomo near Kansas City.

I know have a Delta anchor which will not stay in the bow roller unless secured.  I use a short piece of line from the chain and cleat it off.  This has worked fine over the last year.

I do not have any boots over the spreaders.  Have not had any issues, but have considered adding some.  I would lean toward the leather type versus the rubber ones.

I don't have anything covering the propshaft.  I have seen some people who add elastic cargo netting between the side boards in the lazzerette and the cockpit floor.  My hatchboards fit in one side and that is where i store my dock lines and other loose gear.

Hope this helps.

Chad

[rwsandersii]

Chad,
I think we've talked on the water.  I have the 17' Vanguard called 'Silmaril'. 
I'm thinking about trying the spreader boots that look like they are made of woven polyester with buckles, but wanted to be sure I wasn't wasting money. 
I'm going to try one of the new Rocna anchors and I may have to wait until I get it to see how it will fit. 
A cargo net is an interesting idea, as it would give a spot for the hatch boards. 
We're still wanting to go to Stockton, but we'll be out on Jacomo periodically in the Vanguard. 
Richard in MO

[Catalina9405]

Richard,

Yep we have met.  Congrats on the new boat.  I'm sure we will see you out on Jacomo this summer.

Chad