I have been getting some upgrades done though, installed new VHF/DSC radio with a remote mic and speaker in the cockpit which will go a long ways toward being able to hear the radio clearly, esp while motoring. The radio also has built in AIS which will allow us to see other boats which are transmitting an AIS signal so that we can hail them if required.
Line chafe is always worry, either at anchor, a mooring or even at the dock. Chafe on most sailboats occur at the chock where the line can take two 90 degree turns to leave the boats. I notice some sailboats (Hallberg Rassey, Hunters and some Tartans etc) eliminate the chock, thus the line just goes around the cleat and then off the boat with next to no chafe issues. I decided to modify our cleats to eliminate the chock out of the equation by raising the cleats up to the level of the toe rail and move them outboard. I added backing plates made up the plywood plus aluminum plate with lots of epoxy and the blocks I made out of Jatoba wood. I also bought larger and heavier duty chocks as I was quite surprised at how light and thin the old ones were even though they were made in the 70's before a lot of manufacturing was done overseas and had survived some good blows. I put one of the old cleats in the center to be able to help haul out the anchor if stuck and as a extra line if required etc. The following pictures show the old setup, old cleat, backing plates and finally the new setup. Til next time.....
