Stargazer is now sporting a 'new generation,' French designed, Spade anchor. I had wanted to include the upgrade in last winter's programme of works. But a test-fit was needed, to check that the anchor would stow in the space available. However, none of my local chandlers stocked the design. So the plan had to be postponed.
When buying Gaz, the evening before we left for Spain, I had noticed that the U-Ship chandlery (which is located right on the quayside, at Port Medoc) had a display of Spade anchors. Today, they were happy, on temporary surrender of my phone, as a token of good faith, for me to carry one off for a test fitting.
Traditional 'plough type' anchors are convex. In extremis (high pull or loose bottom) they will literally plough a furrow. Although, in doing so, our Delta has always delved deeper. After storm Evert, considerable effort was required to break it out of a sand (loose) bottom.
The 'new generation' anchors are concave, like a spoon. If they start to shift, they have an even greater propensity to dig themselves in. Giving even more holding power.
The strong likelihood, of persuading the Medoc U-Ship to let me try a Spade for size, was one reason for putting back into what, by all appearances, is something of a sleepy backwater. Others were: familiarity with its layout (useful with our after-dark arrival) ; and the probability of a lengthy period of undisturbed sleep, followed by time for an investigation of some untoward engine noises.
Stargazer rarely motors, other than to leave or enter port. Twelve solid hours of motoring, in from Biscay, were therefore new territory. About six hours in, a high pitched, rev related whine set in. Most audible aft. Where the saildrive and gearbox (rebuilt over the winter) are located.
They are mounted below the 'floor' (bunk boards) of the 'shed' (aft cabin), which is filled with gear when we are cruising. (The fenders fill the remaining space when at sea - picture taken in harbour). Rendering investigation at the time impractical. In any case, I reasoned that, with no wind, whatever I found, I would keep going under engine, unless or until it failed completely.
My concerns had been somewhat allayed when, during an inspection of the front of the engine, with the companionway steps hinged up, the steps collapsed. Their supporting gas strut, spearing past my ear ; and one of the pivot bolts (silver, at top of steps) dropping into the bilge. With the steps lashed back in position, the whining noise disappeared. But the seed of doubt, about the state of the gearbox and saildrive, was sown.
This morning, I emptied the contents of 'the shed,' into the saloon, to permit a full investigation.
With access to the saildrive, I nervously opened the oil filler (yellow). Both to check the level and for any repeat signs of milkiness (water ingress). Tom Petty's wise words, "most things I worry about never happen anyway," ringing in my ears, as I found the oil exactly as it was, when I last checked, before leaving Chatham in April.
The missing pivot bolt was nowhere to be found in the bilge. Search as I might . Stargazer's 'ditty box' supplying a suitable replacement . I did, though, discover two spring-steel clips. . . . .
These proved to exactly slot into two grooves at either end of the gas strut. Which, with them in place, clicked, with a satisfying 'clunk,' onto two locating studs. One in the engine bay, the other on the companionway steps.
Stargazer is once more ready for sea. A 'make and mend day,' I think its known as, in the Navy.
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