Since I sail singlehanded most of the time, I thought it would be a good upgrade to replace the stock winches with self-tailing ones. Does anyone know the base diameter and bolt pattern of the stock winches, so I have some idea what to look for?
The information you are looking for should be in the installation instructions for the winch. Defender.com usually includes links to manuals in their item descriptions.
The smallest self-tailing winch I've seen is a Lewmar 16, which for a 17 foot boat is way overkill. Using a small single speed winch, like a Lewmar 6 with a cam cleat would be much less expensive and work pretty well.
The smallest self-tailing winch I've seen is a Lewmar 16, which for a 17 foot boat is way overkill. Using a small single speed winch, like a Lewmar 6 with a cam cleat would be much less expensive and work pretty well.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,453
Here is a Monty 17 owner in BC with standard winches and cam cleats to hold his foresail.
Her owner, in the cockpit, rigged with a pair of small winch snubbers and cam-cleats. This setup is somewhat affordable (If you can find a #8 or #10 snubber winch at a price under $250, and it is in serviceable condition). It addresses the ideas you query.
The challenge is that Self-Tailing winches are $750 to $1250 a piece, and they are large in size. Your foresails are the size used on daysailers and dinghy racers, 80 to 120 sq ft in area. ST winches are way over-powering for the forces on your sails.
If handling the foresails is causing you stress, why not set up a self-tacking jib?
How to Rig a Self-Tacking Jib for Free!
You may not have seen or even heard of a self-tacking jib before. They’re usually only found on luxury sailboats. But that’s exactly what one is, a headsail that sheets itself when you …
stingysailor.com
You can go as simple or complex as you desire. I always enjoyed the simplest design that was light in weight and affordable on my Monty 15.
Which setup is best?
- Simple daysailing/racing on very small boats → Cam cleats + tracks or fairleads.
- Single-handing or frequent short tacks → Self-tacking track or DIY bridle.
- A bit more power needed → Add a small snubbing or standard winch.
- Want maximum adjustability → Cockpit-adjustable jib cars.
I'd invest in a tiller pilot before anything else. ST winches are slower, and still require two hands to load and unload, which could mean moving away from the tiller. The solution there is to straddle the tiller and steer with your knees when you need both hands to do other chores.
Now if you just want some pretty new hardware because .... its just cool...... well that's a good enough reason to spend $1000 in my book.
Now if you just want some pretty new hardware because .... its just cool...... well that's a good enough reason to spend $1000 in my book.
Agreed, already have one. It's a simple bungee cord wrapped around the tiller and attached to the back cleats. Holds the tiller in any position, perfect for countering lee drift or holding a heave-to position.
I saw some Lewmar 14 STs on eBay for about $650, but they are too large. Sadly it doesn't look like there are any self-tailing winches on the market small enough to fit my boat (the stock winches are Lewmar 6).
Yeah, that's my current setup. Can't really complain, it works fine. I just thought ST winches would be a cool upgrade.
Well, you could always buy a bigger boat to get ST winches.Yeah, that's my current setup. Can't really complain, it works fine. I just thought ST winches would be a cool upgrade.