2002 - 2004 Hunter 356 genoa winch location

[Hunter Fan]

I'm considering the purchase of a Hunter 356. The boat has beautiful lines; however there is one thing I dislike about the boat and that is the location of the genoa winches.

The winches are located on the cabin top instead of on the coamings near the rear of the cockpit. With the winches located on the cabin top, I believe it would be very difficult to single hand the vessel.

Is it possible to install winches on the coamings on the 356's? It looks like the lazarette locker may prevent you from doing this but was unsure. Does anyone know if this has been done? Also, how much do standard winches cost that would fit the coamings.

Many Thanks,

 

[sail sfbay]

I would think it is possible to install genoa winches on the coamings. A new Lewmar size 30 self tailing chrome winch (specs did not say if it is one or two speed) can be purchased from this site for $913 or a Lewmar ocean series 48 chrome self tailing winch size 48 costs ~$1800 from Defender. Of course you need to install a block on a stanchion to re-route the jib sheet to the cockpit, a jam cleat and possibly longer sheet. We like the cabin located genoa winches on our Hunter 386 and now 46 as it avoids sheets in the cockpit and you have a built-in sheet pocket there to stow your sheets. It makes genoa winch operation easy and comfortable.

Hunter 356 winch, chrome, self-tailing, large

Hunter 356 winch, chrome, self-tailing, large

shop.hunterowners.com

Lewmar Ocean Series 48 Self-Tailing Winch

The Lewmar Ocean Series 48 Self-Tailing Winch is a gray anodized, 2-speed, self-tailing winch. Specifications: Size 48 Type: 2-Speed, Self Tailing Base Diameter: 7-1/8" Height: 8-3/16" Line Size: 5/16" - 9/16" Lewmar Winch S

www.defender.com

 

[Hunter Fan]

Thank you for the feedback SF Bay. When you single hand the vessel, how do you adjust the genoa when the winch is on the cabin top? Does it require the use of the auto pilot?

I plan to sail on an inland lake, Lake Lanier located outside of Atlanta, and will tack more than others that sail on the ocean.

 

[jssailem]

HunterFan, If you sail in tight waters you will be tacking more than if the horizon is nothing but water. If you sail alone you will be working harder then if you have a crew. If this boat is new to you, then you need to do some cockpit time at the dock. You need to go through the motions that you will be experiencing. Pretend to tack the boat while you are standing behind the helm, in front of the helm, beside the helm. Before you know it you will develop your own routine.

My genoa sheets are positioned in front of the helm. With the big sail flying, it takes a practiced routine to tack the boat. Depending on the breeze, am I fully in control and the helm 100% of the time, no. But i shift my tasks to the most important step. I set up the rig for the events. I go through the routine but I am not married to it. Sometimes I stop and change the routine based upon what is happening.

For example, it is blowing 13knots. I have the regular jib up not the 144 because the forecast is for strengthening breezes. I am closing in on the time to tack, the rocks on the shore are approaching. I put the helm to lee and start to tack the jib, but an out of sync wave hits the stern changing the rudder angle, while the sheets are in my hands. I let go of one of the sheets, grab the helm set it back, then return to the sheets to get the tack completed. No fancy gear needed just practice and an awareness of the boat and the conditions. Am I perfect of course not. But I complete the tack. Maybe earlier then I would have if I had a crew and I was racing trying to get all the distance out of a single tack, close to the rocks with no margin for error.

Sometimes stuff falls apart. Like the when I tried the autotack feature of the AP. Just when the tack was complete and and I was setting the trim on the new tack. The AP decides to tack the bow back to the previous heading. . Quick release the backwinding jib. Get the boat moving. Turn off the F$x%%%% AP and try again.

It happens and as a solo sailer you deal with it.

To help with the labor, I installed an Autopilot and self tailing winches. The helm came with a break that I can tighten to mostly hold the rudder in place. There is always the option to tie the helm in place or bungee it with surgical tubing.

What really helps is just planning/practicing at the dock, Then getting out on the water and doing it. Not being afraid to stumble.

 

[sail sfbay]

I can single handle both sailboats with or without an autopilot. One major advantage of genoa winches on the cabin is you can social distance when sailing with others and will be doing this for some time to come, whereas you cannot social distance if the winches are on the coamings. The cabin mounted genoa winches was a great innovation. I assume the 356 sheet pockets are right behind the winches as shown on the 386. Very convenient!! You can easily re-route the main sheet to the helm with a jam cleat on the arch if you want ....but that is the subject of another thread.

 

[sail sfbay]

Ditto jssailem..............just to add, if you are single handling you can get lazy sheet set up on the winch and in your hand then tack and let the genoa backwind while at the helm. Then release the active sheet and sheet in the lazy (now active) sheet. If you have an autopilot (AP) you can tack with the AP and then step away from the helm to do these actions. The same procedure is used whether the genoa winches are on the cabin or on the coamings. You will find a rhythm that works for you.

 

[DRhoads]

Concur with all above. Either way works and I have done both single handing a 386 and a 420. This works best for me.

Ditto @jssailem..............just to add, if you are single handling you can get lazy sheet set up on the winch and in your hand then tack and let the genoa backwind while at the helm. Then release the active sheet and sheet in the lazy (now active) sheet. If you have an autopilot (AP) you can tack with the AP and then step away from the helm to do these actions. The same procedure is used whether the genoa winches are on the cabin or on the coamings. You will find a rhythm that works for you.

 

[Sailboz]

Hunter Fan,

If the cabin top winch of the 356 is a deal-breaker, but you otherwise like everything (or almost everything!) else about the boat, I would recommend the successor to the 356, the Hunter 36. I think they started production in 2004 and went until about 2009 (in that style). I had a 2005 from 2007 until 2018 and I really enjoyed the boat. Having those winches at the coamings was great. I could tack and do both the letting out and the taking in of the sheets myself, and also take care of the traveler myself.

I'm not sure what the differences are in price for, say, and 2002-3 356 versus a 2004-2006 36, but it might be close enough that it's not worth the expense of trying to retrofit additional winches on the coamings of a 356. Plus you'd need to add a genoa track to the inside of each deck as well I think.

Just something to think about.

 

[Hunter Fan]

All - Really appreciate your input. You have all provided me with a number of items to consider. Thank you

 

[chuckwayne]

There's a simple solution to this. The 356 is set up for spinnaker winches on the coaming, just forward of the pedastel. You can add a pair of 30 or 40 size winches - the stock sheets should be long enough, and then work the jib from there. I have the winches on escape, but I usually just use the autopilot autotack function and go forward the work the sheets. keeps the cockpit clear, and works well.

 

[Hunter Fan]

ChuckWayne, you are correct about being able to locate winches where the spinnaker winches would normally go on the coaming. I have spent a good bit of my covid-19 quarantine day reading through the resource information posted on this website and have found it to be very helpful.

Generator Questions:
I see that a generator was optional on these boats. With a generator, are you able to run the AC while away from the dock? If so, how quiet is the generator? Is it quiet enough that you can sleep in the rear cabin?

I am trying to reach the owner to see if the boat i am considering has a generator. Based on the pictures of the 110 electrical panel, i see there is a white switch for "generator". Does this mean that the boat has a generator?

Thanks again for everyone input.

Hunter Fan

 

[chuckwayne]

I don't have the generator but if the panel has switches for it it's probably installed.the factory installed northern lights generator will run the AC and is fairly quiet - whether it's quiet enough to sleep is a personal thing but plenty of owners say it is. the stock system has a sound enclosure. the 356 is a great boat, we've enjoyed her for 18 years.

 

[Former member 134612]

Generator Questions:
I see that a generator was optional on these boats. With a generator, are you able to run the AC while away from the dock? If so, how quiet is the generator? Is it quiet enough that you can sleep in the rear cabin?

You can run the AC away from the dock. My 356 has a 3.5 kW NextGen generator installed in the port locker (inside a noise enclosure) and while not excessively loud, it is a single cylinder diesel engine and you can hear it. I doubt I could sleep with the gen running. Unless you’re planning on anchoring in total isolation, running the gen all night will not win you any popularity contests.