Oday 25 Really don't want to invest much more $ in my 25 due to possibly upgrading to larger boat soon, so replacing mine with new self tailing wenches is out of the question. I've wondered about the effectiveness of the blue ring add-ons. I realize they would be a waste on a larger boat, but what about my 25? Anybody had luck with them on this size boat? Thanks much
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I love them
I put them on my Oday 23 four years ago. They are terrific. When I follow the manufacturer's instructions for their use, they make my standard jib winches into self-tailers. I've seen some posts on this website where people have had the opposite experience, but I have found them to be everything they are advertised to be. I have never had a line slip from them. I think they are about $35 for a pair of the small ones, so you don't have much to lose by trying them.
I put them on my Oday 23 four years ago. They are terrific. When I follow the manufacturer's instructions for their use, they make my standard jib winches into self-tailers. I've seen some posts on this website where people have had the opposite experience, but I have found them to be everything they are advertised to be. I have never had a line slip from them. I think they are about $35 for a pair of the small ones, so you don't have much to lose by trying them.
I had 'em
on my Columbia 26. They worked OK, I had to use one hand to "strip" the line away (no two handed turning - line piles up on itself). They held the line in place on the drum. If I was on a long tack (hour of so), I would cleat the line. I'd buy them again. Marc
on my Columbia 26. They worked OK, I had to use one hand to "strip" the line away (no two handed turning - line piles up on itself). They held the line in place on the drum. If I was on a long tack (hour of so), I would cleat the line. I'd buy them again. Marc
Been using them for...
two years now. They have been in the sun uncovered, and are still in good shape. They work great as long as you continue to pull the tail off so the line does not wrap over itself. They work by forcing the top wrap of the line against the rubber. The notch around the rim is not for tailing the line.
two years now. They have been in the sun uncovered, and are still in good shape. They work great as long as you continue to pull the tail off so the line does not wrap over itself. They work by forcing the top wrap of the line against the rubber. The notch around the rim is not for tailing the line.
winchers
I put them on my last boat, a 22' Gloucester, and they worked great. Never had a line slip. I have Lewmar self tailing winches on my current boat and they are certainly a step up but at about $1700 a pair for the Lewmars versus $30 a pair for the Winchers, if I was doing a retrofit, I'd certainly look at the Winchers first. I'm not sure why they didn't work for others, with no moving parts there is not much to malfunction. Using the wrong size lines or using a too large Wincher are the only things that I can think of. They are not easy to install ( if it is, you have the wrong size for your winches), they really fit tight and it takes some real strength to stretch them onto the winch. On my first attempt, one shot out of my hand into the drink.
I put them on my last boat, a 22' Gloucester, and they worked great. Never had a line slip. I have Lewmar self tailing winches on my current boat and they are certainly a step up but at about $1700 a pair for the Lewmars versus $30 a pair for the Winchers, if I was doing a retrofit, I'd certainly look at the Winchers first. I'm not sure why they didn't work for others, with no moving parts there is not much to malfunction. Using the wrong size lines or using a too large Wincher are the only things that I can think of. They are not easy to install ( if it is, you have the wrong size for your winches), they really fit tight and it takes some real strength to stretch them onto the winch. On my first attempt, one shot out of my hand into the drink.
Winchers
I have them on my 1980 Tartan 33. They work great. As Rich W. from Alameda said, you have to use them correctly. The groove around the top is not for the same use as the groove at the top of self tailers. The proper use is as you are grinding on the winch you add wraps to the drum of the winch until the number of wraps applies pressure to the under side of the flange at the top. This pressure is what makes the winchers a self tailing type. If you are jamming your sheets into the groove then that is not the right way to use. With so many projects and boat bucks needed on some of these old classics, the winchers are an effective item to help with your sail handling while saving some boat bucks to use of other more pressing projects. Tip for installing. Use a litle dishwashing soap on the inside of the winchers and then slip the winchers over the top of your winch and into position. It works and makes it real easy.
I have them on my 1980 Tartan 33. They work great. As Rich W. from Alameda said, you have to use them correctly. The groove around the top is not for the same use as the groove at the top of self tailers. The proper use is as you are grinding on the winch you add wraps to the drum of the winch until the number of wraps applies pressure to the under side of the flange at the top. This pressure is what makes the winchers a self tailing type. If you are jamming your sheets into the groove then that is not the right way to use. With so many projects and boat bucks needed on some of these old classics, the winchers are an effective item to help with your sail handling while saving some boat bucks to use of other more pressing projects. Tip for installing. Use a litle dishwashing soap on the inside of the winchers and then slip the winchers over the top of your winch and into position. It works and makes it real easy.
Thanks for the lesson you guys
I have them on my mast mounted halyard winches and could not figure out how to make 'em work. So its "wraps until it grabs"? Scott
I have them on my mast mounted halyard winches and could not figure out how to make 'em work. So its "wraps until it grabs"? Scott
Now you've got me interested
Wow...thanks for all the response. I think I understand, but will probably have to actually use one to know for sure. So...the drum wraps must "pile up" on the drum, so as to apply pressure to the underside of the ring? The whole purpose of a self tailer is to free one hand, and prevent cleating off the sheet tail.....right? Does the blue ring do this just the same as the real mccoy?
Wow...thanks for all the response. I think I understand, but will probably have to actually use one to know for sure. So...the drum wraps must "pile up" on the drum, so as to apply pressure to the underside of the ring? The whole purpose of a self tailer is to free one hand, and prevent cleating off the sheet tail.....right? Does the blue ring do this just the same as the real mccoy?
No, It doesn't......
I have a couple on my halyard winches. Let me make this very clear.....Winchers DO NOT change a standard winch into a self-tailing one!!! Why, because they don't have a stripping device. You must tail the line. What they are good for is perhaps making small adjustments, like tweaking a halyard or mainsheet. The drum must be fully loaded for the wicnher to grab the line. Even then, the line must be uncleated (pulled off the collar) before trimming, and then re cleated. They are no good for jib sheet winches, they actually slow things down because it's more difficult to throw off the lazy sheet. You still have to use two hands. If you're looking for a cheap way to have a self-tailing winch.......forget it. This isn't the answer.
I have a couple on my halyard winches. Let me make this very clear.....Winchers DO NOT change a standard winch into a self-tailing one!!! Why, because they don't have a stripping device. You must tail the line. What they are good for is perhaps making small adjustments, like tweaking a halyard or mainsheet. The drum must be fully loaded for the wicnher to grab the line. Even then, the line must be uncleated (pulled off the collar) before trimming, and then re cleated. They are no good for jib sheet winches, they actually slow things down because it's more difficult to throw off the lazy sheet. You still have to use two hands. If you're looking for a cheap way to have a self-tailing winch.......forget it. This isn't the answer.
Now I'm confused
I used the grove in my winchers,instead of a cleat, to hold my jib sheets. The number of wraps did not play any role on how well the Winchers functioned. When single handing,I often brought the working jib sheet from the lee winch, across to the windward Wincher and secured it in the groove with no wraps around the windward winch. This provided quick access when sitting on the windward rail and the sheets never slipped. You do have to pull the line out of the grove to trim sails (as stated, they don't act as a tailer) but that is not difficult. I sail on an inland lake with very gusty conditions so maybe I was using them incorrectly but they sure accomplished what I needed.
I used the grove in my winchers,instead of a cleat, to hold my jib sheets. The number of wraps did not play any role on how well the Winchers functioned. When single handing,I often brought the working jib sheet from the lee winch, across to the windward Wincher and secured it in the groove with no wraps around the windward winch. This provided quick access when sitting on the windward rail and the sheets never slipped. You do have to pull the line out of the grove to trim sails (as stated, they don't act as a tailer) but that is not difficult. I sail on an inland lake with very gusty conditions so maybe I was using them incorrectly but they sure accomplished what I needed.
Like You Bill,
I used the V-grove in the ring to cleat off on my O-Day. To add my 2 cents, I found them to be a net help. For fast work, you don't use them. For adjustments or to bring in the last few feet under load, they were great to help the tailing process. Of course, you had to strip them, and the line had to be wound up far enough on the winch to create friction with the bottom of the wincher, but that's still helpful. You do need a proper lead to the winch, so if that's a problem, the Wincher may not work well. I did find the ability to cleat off on the Wincher very helpful. And, yes, getting them on was a real challenge. Good luck, Rick D.
I used the V-grove in the ring to cleat off on my O-Day. To add my 2 cents, I found them to be a net help. For fast work, you don't use them. For adjustments or to bring in the last few feet under load, they were great to help the tailing process. Of course, you had to strip them, and the line had to be wound up far enough on the winch to create friction with the bottom of the wincher, but that's still helpful. You do need a proper lead to the winch, so if that's a problem, the Wincher may not work well. I did find the ability to cleat off on the Wincher very helpful. And, yes, getting them on was a real challenge. Good luck, Rick D.
Winchers
Rather than put self-tailing winches, we bought the blue "winchers" ($60/pr.) for "Ever After" (our Aloha 27) and are really quite happy with them. A bit of Armor All on the tops (JUST the tops!!!) every month or so pretty much eliminates UV damage! They've been in service for us for seven years now.
Rather than put self-tailing winches, we bought the blue "winchers" ($60/pr.) for "Ever After" (our Aloha 27) and are really quite happy with them. A bit of Armor All on the tops (JUST the tops!!!) every month or so pretty much eliminates UV damage! They've been in service for us for seven years now.
Most people don't use 'em correctly
Winchers are great. We used them on our jib winches on our C25 for 10 of the 11 years we had her. Do NOT use the "top slit" V groove for anything. The instructions are wrong. Just build up the wraps UNDERNEATH the split top ring and you'll have a wonderful set of self tailing winches for next to nothing. They are GREAT. Stu
Winchers are great. We used them on our jib winches on our C25 for 10 of the 11 years we had her. Do NOT use the "top slit" V groove for anything. The instructions are wrong. Just build up the wraps UNDERNEATH the split top ring and you'll have a wonderful set of self tailing winches for next to nothing. They are GREAT. Stu
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