My parents have decided that for now they are in good enough health to do
all or part of the loop beginning this fall.  I have told them for the past
two years that they were welcome to take my boat.  I have a few things I
feel I must install before they undertake the trip.

My boat is only 26 ft in length but seems like 28-30.  I completely
remanufactured the boat top to bottom two years ago and all the bugs are
worked out of it so mechanically the boat is ready to go.  I would like to
have it ready in about 6 weeks and go launch them into Kentucky Lake to
begin their journey.  I have informed them that they may abandon at any time
and I will come and pick the boat up.

Since they are elderly and not that agile I feel I need to install a bow
thruster and a windlass for the anchor.  This boat can be a real bear in
even a moderate blow since the keel angles down from the bow to the stern.

There appear to be many small bow thrusters and windlasses on the market and
I am wondering what brand and where to buy?  I can install everything myself
and cost is a concern.  I just paid my kids tuition.

As far as a bow thruster would be concerned my boat is about 8000 lbs,  22'
LWL  26' LOA and round bottom.  A picture can be seen at Trawler MV at
http://groups.msn.com/TrawlerMV/piouspuffin.msnw?action=ShowPhoto
<http://groups.msn.com/TrawlerMV/piouspuffin.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1
195> &PhotoID=1195  The bow wants to blow off the wind very easily and the
prop walk is always to port as this boat has the  Sabb diesel with the
controllable pitch propeller (no reverse gear).

The anchor I am presently using is vastly overkill but I never worry about
holding.  The anchor is a 45 lb Navy type with 6' of 3/8" chain and 200' of
5/8" nylon braid.

Kurt Reno

Pious Puffin

26' Permacraft trawler

Kurt:

That is quite a nice little pocket trawler. I won't begin to question
whether that is too small for your folks- you have obviously thought this
through (haven't you?). And from your pics it looks like you have done all
or part of the loop before, so you know what you are in for.

So, on to the windlass. Lewmar has a new V700 that looks like it will work
for you- $700 at West Marine. You will need to also buy a circuit breaker,
reversing solenoid and switches to make it all work.

This windlass is set up for 1/4" HT chain and 1/2" nylon rode which should
be plenty for your boat. Install it with at least 100' of chain and 200' of
nylon behind it with a nylon to chain splice.  A 35 lb Delta, CQR or Bruce
would work well with this rig and your folks will sleep well at night.

David