[Rhodes22-list] Sailing questions

[CHIMNEY18@aol.com]

At the risk of interrupting the recent threads on war, politics, welfare, 
etc. the cold weather has caused me to reflect on various experiences last 
summer that clearly tell me I have yet to graduate from newbie status,   I 
thought I would solicit guidance from the group.

Anchoring - I finally worked up the courage one day to practice anchoring - 
one of my hidden anxieties - while singlehandling.   Dropping and securing 
the anchor was not a problem.   I threw the anchor out from the cockpit, 
walked it forward, let out sufficient scope while the boat backed up in the 
wind, and secured the line on the bow cleat when I was satisfied the anchor 
was secure.   I had lunch and read a little while watching for drift, which 
didn't occur.   Retrieving the anchor was more problematic.   I released the 
line from the bow cleat, walked back to the cockpit, motored up and hauled in 
the line until I guessed I was pretty much over the anchor, and began to haul 
it up.   I found it was very difficult to do, difficult to keep the boat in 
place, and needed at least a couple of more arms to handle the tiller, motor, 
anchor,etc.   It seems to me I obviously went astray somewhere but I'm not 
sure where.   I am need of at least some helpful hints and maybe serious 
instruction.

Jibsheets inside the stays - Two summers ago - my first with the boat - I 
found myself having a lot of difficulty heading up when in a stiff wind with 
the jib partly furled.   It was suggested that, among other things, I try 
moving the sheets to one of the inward positions.  This past summer I did 
just that and found that I indeed was able to point somewhat better.    I 
also found, however, that unless I was sailing closehauled, the jib sheet was 
hard against the outer sidestay.   I didn't see how to avoid that unless I 
kept re-running the sheets every time I changed my point of sail, which 
didn't, and still doesn't seem very practical to me.   Again, what am I 
missing here?

Spinnaker blocks - Someone - I think it was Jay - just asked this question - 
but I need a more detailed answer - or at least pictures.   I have a harken 
furler (which I love, by the way) which uses the third sheave on the masthead 
block and am confused as to where and how to install the necessary additional 
blocks for a spinnaker (or UPS) halyard and topping lift for the 
spinnaker/whisker pole.   As I recall Roger's posting in the Q&A, he made his 
own masthead block.   That is probably not in the cards for me.   Can someone 
give me some guidance as to what to order and how to install an appropriate 
masthead?

Thanks in advance for all your help and advice.   Feel free to change the 
subject heading to one specific to the topic.

Bruce Greenwald
S/V Ruach II