Boat Improvement continues.....

[john Gonzalez]

Brian, it was a pleasure meeting you and your family. Your kind comments are flattering and I am glad your were not looking too critically at all the nicks, bumps and the things that are undone. I hope one day I can get in a fraction of the sailing experience that you have had. Comforting to know how much you have enjoyed your Morgan and it sailing capabilities. Safe return wishes to you to your home port!

 

[calley]

Have you guys posted on the cap rail replacement? I for one would love to know you strategy and results!

 

[john Gonzalez]

Been out of circulation recently but I thought I would post these pictures of recent improvements. 1. took out the plexi fixed port and had a SS rim made by Stainless Outfitters and installed with safety glass. 2. added dorade boxes with venting into cabin to help get ventilation from the Gulf South heat, 3. made sail pack from video.

I think I read where someone was asking about the cap rail. I have had the dickens keeping rain out of boat with the Genny track and where they are boards are joined. I am going to have to redo the cap and am thinking of pulling cap off and glassing directly on boat with amber epoxy. Researching that now. Also I have no windlass so its all by hand. Recommendations on the type of windlass I should use and the ground tackle would be helpful. 5/16 or 3/8 chain? I would like 50 ft of chain and then 100 ft nylon 3 stand. any thoughts there is appreciated. BTW, I have had my boat in the water for 3 years now without deploying anchor due to my not wanting to haul it up by hand. I've had to evacuate from the Marina 7 times in the three years and thank goodness not having to use anchor.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Wow John, Your ports look really nice.
And the trim ties in well with the others.

I've ordered 2 Dorade boxes and plan on adding to the aft cabin top too. Though our traveler is in the area you have put yours. I hope they will add some air flow.

Sonata never had a windlass. I can't imagine hauling up that anchor and rode by hand! The anchor rode was 3/4" 3 strand and 3/8" chain. 45lb. CQR. Big. HEAVY.
I've added a Maxwell HRG8 horizontal windlass, because of Mark's review and his experience with it. It's all below deck.

I did a similar installation in the Anchor well. It seems like a very well made piece. And the price was right too.
I must say though, I have yet to use it other than loading the rode and testing at the dock.

To fit the windlass Gypsy, I bought the appropriate sized 9/16", 250' Mega Braid line. It's a twelve strand. 65' of 5/16" chain, so about 300' usable rode. The 250' Mega braid stores into the lower anchor locker really well. And keeps less weight at the bow than all chain. It doesn't kink, it's very easy to handle. Much nicer all around than 3 strand.
I used a lot of chain, more than normal in a hybrid system.
Where I hope to be cruising, I didn't feel there was a need for all chain. I may be wrong. And that may change in the future. But this much should be safe with most bottom conditions, and in most shallower depths, kinda act like all chain. This much Rode is probabaly overkill for San Francisco Bay and the Delta, it's all pretty shallow, but...

I would use 8 plait line in the future. I had to figure out how to splice the 12 plait to the chain on my own. Not bad, but 8 plait would have been easier.
A new 44lb. Vulcan 20 anchor replaced the old CQR that Sonata came with. Also, a Crosby 209A Shackle at the anchor to chain.

Again, just what I've done and no real world experience yet.

Mitchell

 

[john Gonzalez]

Thank you Mithell. And thank you for the ground tackle advice. I do like that windlass and it is beefy, a lot of lb. force for hauling up 3/8 chain. I will do some research on that windlass. Here in Mississippi sound the bottom is muddy and the average depth is 15 to 18 feet, very swallow. That is good and bad as the waves are close together when the wind pipes up. I have an oversize fortress which a smaller size one on my smaller boat, held my Hunter in quite blow one night I was on the hook; so I am partial to the Fortress for this area. I have been told I do not need 3/8 inch chain where others say I should indeed rely only on BBB 3/8 inch chain and at least 100 ft. In any event thank you for your advice and I will start my research on this and on how to install one on the Morgan.

 

[jimcleary]

Mitchell And John
Dana's anchoring system is pretty robust. The windlass is a Lofrans Tigres, made in Italy. The anchor is a 45lb Manson Supreme. The rode is 225 feet of G4 5/16 high tensile chain. The whole system weighs in at 300lbs. just happens to coincide with the 300lbs of lead weights I removed from the bow under the V-bunk. We anchor about 75% of the time when we cruise and we always sleep well at night.

Jim

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

I got Windlass envy Jim. I just couldn't swing the $ at the time I did all this. But Lofrans, yeah!
And John, rather than "advice" I was relating my thoughts and what I did for anchor gear. Take it with a grain of sea salt. Again, it hasn't been really tested yet. So, it's based on a lot of research and what I felt would work for me. A lot of which was based on cost. Bang for the buck.
We have mostly shallow mud bottoms in the Bay and Delta too. Some grass. Even that is probably an over generalization.

I may eventually buy a Fortress as a second, and kedge anchor. I like that it's light and disassembles too. I do have an ancient bigger Danforth Hi Tensile at the stern pulpit. They are great anchors for a wide range of bottoms in my view. (the Fortress are most likely better) With heavy chain and 3 strand in the Lazerette. So much for my disclaimer
Mitchell

 

[chandlerabney]

Hey John, I have a very similar model to yours docked in Pass Christian, MS. We are going to have to do a lot of work on ours.. Would like to lay my eyes on Quest one day for some inspiration haha. Let me know if that is possible. Also might have some questions for you as we dig into our boat.

Thanks,

Chandler Abney

 

[john Gonzalez]

Thanks for the responses. Jim, that's an impressive windlass. Two Island Packets in the Harbor have that windlass so that tells me they can haul in some chain. One of those IP is running 5/16 ad the other IP has 3/8th inch chain. I think what I would like to do is to install a Lofrans Manual windlass with 5/6 and mount just aft the anchor locker with a roller in front of it allowing the chain to fall back into the locker. That would mean for me not having to run electrical to the bow and modifying the locker except to lowering the floor to a lower level to allow the chain to fall into the lock by gravity. There is several postings on this site of that modification. I will try to find the Youtube the the manual Lofran and post it here. I am trying to keep things simple on my boat and I don't mind using a lever and taking a bit of time to reel in the chain an line. I don't anticipate anchoring often, (haven't yet since I've owned her), but I need to be prepared if I need to do it for some reason other than an overnight anchorage. In any event, I am leaning toward a manual windlass, I think the same as Jim's model but without the electric motor. If that is a mistake to go manual, let me know your thoughts on that.

Chandler, I am glad to know that there is another 382 in the area. I saw one in our harbor only one day this fall and the next day it was gone, I wonder if that was you on your way to Pass Christian. I would like to see your boat and get ideas from you. I know we are in the middle of the holiday season but let me know when you would like visit my boat and/or vice versa. Tom McNulty had one in my area that I was going to see but he sold it before I got a chance to. So let me know.

 

[chandlerabney]

Thanks for the responses. Jim, that's an impressive windlass. Two Island Packets in the Harbor have that windlass so that tells me they can haul in some chain. One of those IP is running 5/16 ad the other IP has 3/8th inch chain. I think what I would like to do is to install a Lofrans Manual windlass with 5/6 and mount just aft the anchor locker with a roller in front of it allowing the chain to fall back into the locker. That would mean for me not having to run electrical to the bow and modifying the locker except to lowering the floor to a lower level to allow the chain to fall into the lock by gravity. There is several postings on this site of that modification. I will try to find the Youtube the the manual Lofran and post it here. I am trying to keep things simple on my boat and I don't mind using a lever and taking a bit of time to reel in the chain an line. I don't anticipate anchoring often, (haven't yet since I've owned her), but I need to be prepared if I need to do it for some reason other than an overnight anchorage. In any event, I am leaning toward a manual windlass, I think the same as Jim's model but without the electric motor. If that is a mistake to go manual, let me know your thoughts on that.

Chandler, I am glad to know that there is another 382 in the area. I saw one in our harbor only one day this fall and the next day it was gone, I wonder if that was you on your way to Pass Christian. I would like to see your boat and get ideas from you. I know we are in the middle of the holiday season but let me know when you would like visit my boat and/or vice versa. Tom McNulty had one in my area that I was going to see but he sold it before I got a chance to. So let me know.

We can definitely link up sometime. My brother-in-law and I (co-owners of the boat), live around Brandon, MS. We should be down to the pass sometime after Christmas. (maybe before) My number is 601-454-0684, if you could text me so I will have your number that would be great.