Some folks had difficulty reefing with the system provided (not a single line reefing system) and added a winch where you describe. We were taught how to manage the sail with everything slack (mainsheet), sailing close reached to the wind, and the topping lift fully raised. So a winch for us was unnecessary. After securing the luff cringle to the gooseneck horn and tightening the halyard a bit, the reef line is addressed. I pull it to get the leech down to the elevated boom as best I can then form a loop and stick my foot into it to cinch it down the rest of the way. Then I engage the jammer to keep it from slipping then dump the topping lift and sheet the main in.