Arwen's meanderings

Hi everyone and welcome to my dinghy cruising blog about my John Welsford designed 'navigator' named Arwen. Built over three years, Arwen was launched in August 2007. She is a standing lug yawl 14' 6" in length. This blog records our dinghy cruising voyages together around the coastal waters of SW England.
Arwen has an associated YouTube channel so visit www.YouTube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy to find our most recent cruises and click subscribe.
On this blog you will find posts about dinghy cruising locations, accounts of our voyages, maintenance tips and 'How to's' ranging from rigging standing lug sails and building galley boxes to using 'anchor buddies' and creating 'pilotage notes'. I hope you find something that inspires you to get out on the water in your boat. Drop us a comment and happy sailing.
Steve and Arwen

Monday 30 December 2019

Sorting what I carry and where I store it

One of the things I must do is go back through what I carry on-board Arwen and re-think where I store it all.

Back in May 2010 I stored things like this
https://arwensmeanderings.blogspot.com/2010/05/getting-arwen-organised.html

Recently, I have been storing things like this...


I'm sure I carry way too much.

6 comments:

Timo said...

Hi Steve, thanks for sharing this beautiful and interesting picture! I wish I got my boat this organised one day... Does "Navigation equipment" include a compass too or do you have a fixed compass somewhere on the boat?

steve said...

Hi Timo - hope you are well - happy new year to you - Nav equipment on Arwen comprises of charts, handheld Gps, chart equipment, handheld compass, fixed compass on centreboard top which can be converted to hand held, a couple of help flipchart booklets on nav techniques and reminders, binoculars

Arwen needs organising - I carry way too much

Timo said...

I don't think you can never carry too much, as long as your gear is well-organised and the boat stays afloat. Found a photo of your compass in an older post. Looks good, thank you.

Happy new year, Steve!

steve said...

And to you as well Timo.

Mike Roberts said...

Hi,

I'm interested that you have two anchors on board, but neither are in the anchor well. Do you find that the anchor well is too small for the correct size anchor?

steve said...

Hi Mike.

I could put one anchor in the anchor well - the smaller one - but it is an awkward fit. It also puts lots of weight at the bow as well. The anchor well is also quite a stretch forward from where I stand at the coaming. The shank of the anchor has to rest lengthways alongside the bowsprit on the foredeck area.

basically - it is easier to have them in trays low down on the floor.

Why two anchors? One is significantly heavier than the other - this is the one I use for overnight anchoring stops. The other acts as a kedge anchor and a picnic stop anchor; also as a stern anchor if I need the extra security for an overnight top. I suspect both are overkill :)