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Caution: 8-plait not so great??

So soft and fluffy, the anchor windlass found our new line a tasty morsel

So soft and fluffy, the anchor windlass found our new line a tasty morsel

On our second use of our newly acquired chain and rode, the line got caught in the windlass when Russ was bringing up the anchor. The line was never in the water even, but maybe that was the problem.  For the next few anchorings during our week’s trip, Russ babysat the process and had no further troubles.

Immediate research was in order; but wait, didn’t Russ already check with Lewmar and Defender before purchasing the chain and Buccaneer 8-plait line? Of course he did; switching from all chain (that rusty mess) to 90ft of chain with the 8-plait line sliced requires prudent research. What was missed in that vast sea of online info was a cautionary note to at least wet the line in either fresh or salt water before using. Salt water would seem preferred as that would cause stiffening of the line as the water dried.

Unfortunately this caution was not provided to us in any form when we ordered or picked up the chain/rode at Defender. Defender is top-notch about providing product info and this is one instance where they failed miserably; we let them know. A few emails back and forth with Defender customer service (kudos on responsiveness) led to a phone call with the high chief at Buccaneer. No, we hadn’t pulled the line through the windlass because our anchor was stuck; no, the gypsy didn’t have any burrs on her (we suspected it did, but close inspection showed none); and no, that part of the line never was wet.

Well, he went on to say, you could wrap electrical tape around it, but then again with just one strand mutilated the pull strength is only down 1,000 lbs.  Excuse me, this is our home not simply a boat we use once in a while. Thanks so much, good-bye.

Three choices remain: take the chain and line to Defender and they would cut off the first 10ft of line and re-splice; have Sound Rigging come out and re-splice; or, we do it ourselves. Can you guess the choice we made?  We did what any self-respecting cruiser would want/try to do; re-splice it ourselves. Oh the fun we will have :-). “Who is this we?”, asks Russ, knowing the one-person job will fall into his capable hands.

Weaving the strands back into the line

Weaving the strands back into the line

The splice is complete. The ends of the strands will get pulled in when the line gets used.

The splice is complete. The ends of the strands will get pulled in when the line gets used.

 

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Inching closer to Deep River

Friday late afternoon found us anchored off Crescent Beach in Niantic. A SE wind direction gave us a pleasing beach view as opposed to one of the Millstone nuclear power station to our NW along Waterford’s shore. This isn’t much of a cruising destination; however, for us it was a new stop and a good way to prolong our eventual return to Deep River home base.

Yacht Cub behind breakwater, to the left is an association beach

Yacht Cub behind breakwater, to the left is an association beach

Saturday morning we moved north a mile to a spot off what I call Boardwalk Beach. It is a town beach but not as cozy as the one near Crescent Beach and the Yacht Club. This one mile waterfront walkway, opened in 2005, provides views of Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound. You will find only two entrances to the boardwalk.  Benches and interpretive signs along the entire length of the boardwalk provide opportunities to relax and learn more about the history and coastal environments you see from the boardwalk.

Moving gave us a shorter dinghy ride into the inner harbor which took us under the new Amtrak bridge and the highway bridge.

Entering the inner harbor after passing under the bridges.

Entering the inner harbor (Niantic River) after passing under the bridges.

We found a spit of beach to land on and bravely marched several blocks into town. Our local knowledge was useful as we’d driven here many times just never visited by boat. People outside their homes actually spoke to us; I thought for a moment we’d been transported south. Perhaps the proximity to water is a friendliness factor.

Our first stop was Thistle Beads in order that I might find a few jewelry-making items on my list; and that I did.  A couple of bakeries called out but we yielded to ice cream; egads- before lunch even. Main St is lined with useful shops, a small movie theater, a plethora of eateries and ice cream options not to mention banks, books and bars.

A few more precious leisure hours would be ours until heading back to our faithful mooring ball. (at least we hope it’s more faithful than the first one)