I have a '96 29.5 Hunnter. I have have been sailing it for about a year and have been slowly upgrading (new llines, mainsail, boomkicker ect...). I am now thinking of upgrading the original Lewmar "16 1 speed (3 on top of cabin) winches in favor of a fourth (2 speed). Actually, I would rather add one 2 speed winch to port and starboard baseplates in the cockpit, but the bimini is anchored there and prevents being able to operate a winch handle. My other thought is to add a larger wheel (original is the standard 27") in the cockpit. The only thing I can think of, is to get a new side mounting bimini and clear up the space to install and be able to use the winches. Has anyone else entertained thoughts of these uprades and has any words of wisdom on sizes and manufacturers to look for?
Advice on adding new winches and wheel
- Thread starter ROB STOEGBAUER
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Winches
I can't advise too much except that I have winches in the cockpit with my 07 H-36 with the arch and love them for the jib and spinnaker for sure,I also have a folding wheel and that is pretty good also.
Nick
I can't advise too much except that I have winches in the cockpit with my 07 H-36 with the arch and love them for the jib and spinnaker for sure,I also have a folding wheel and that is pretty good also.
Nick
You could always modify the bimini so it doesn't use any straps to secure it, thus freeing the space to do what you want with the winches... Dig through my website (link in my Sig) for my bimini installation for pictures on how mine is secured, and totally strapless.
On my 29.5 the bimini attaches to the stern rails as I have 2 speed winches down in the cockpit. I am toying with moving at least one of them up to the starboard side forward winch location to help with the main.
As for the larger wheel. Think hard. I have a 36" I believe and it is a royal pain to get around it moving from the back to the front of the cock pit. It extends almost into the depressions in the seats. You have to hang on to the main sheet and work yourself around. I'm thinking of moving down a size.
Are you in the Hampton Yacht Club in Hampton VA? If so, I am at York River Yacht Haven and you are welcome to come by and take a look at my set up.
I can send you some pic's if you want to PM me.
As for the larger wheel. Think hard. I have a 36" I believe and it is a royal pain to get around it moving from the back to the front of the cock pit. It extends almost into the depressions in the seats. You have to hang on to the main sheet and work yourself around. I'm thinking of moving down a size.
Are you in the Hampton Yacht Club in Hampton VA? If so, I am at York River Yacht Haven and you are welcome to come by and take a look at my set up.
I can send you some pic's if you want to PM me.
Rob, a lewmar #30 2-speed winch and Lewmar Folding Steering Wheel would be good upgrade. You have to test out the wheel size by sitting to one side, lean on coaming and imagine you have a larger wheel and see how much more inches is right.
I replaced 28" wheel last year to 32" and I am happy with a change. With 28" as soon as wind picked up boat had too much weather help and with small wheel it was a pain to control. I was forced to put reef early. With 32" I can control boat much easier. We start to enjoy going out in 15-20 knots wind: with small wheel it was hard work now it is fun to go out.
Now there is small draw back of space. It's a bit harder to get around.
32" wheel is still too small to steer from the side but I would say 36" would be too big to get around.
Now there is small draw back of space. It's a bit harder to get around.
32" wheel is still too small to steer from the side but I would say 36" would be too big to get around.
if you have too much weather helm your sails are not adjusted properly, if no ammount of adjustment will correct it, they are probably blown out and overdue for replacment. Read through some of the posts on Don's board for more details...
Brian, my sails are old and probably contribute to the weather helm. I only start to experience weather helm worth mentioning in winds over 12-13kt. I am sure the fact that boat heals over 20-30 degrees contributes as well. The fact that Hunters have huge mains and when wind increases CE shifts also contributes to weather helm. I don't think investing in new sails along would solve weather helm issue.
How do I find Don’s article?
How do I find Don’s article?
I replaced my sails this spring and was amazed at the difference. it reduced heeling, improved speed, and I was better able to balance the sails to eliminate weather helm. Your rig may also be improperly tensioned... I would have it looked at before making any other purchase deciisions.
couple quick posts that came up in search...
this isn't directly about weather helm, but does explain balancing the sails really welll:
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=128362
this talks about how rig tensioning affects weather helm:
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=134100&highlight=weather+helm
couple quick posts that came up in search...
this isn't directly about weather helm, but does explain balancing the sails really welll:
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=128362
this talks about how rig tensioning affects weather helm:
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=134100&highlight=weather+helm
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