I am getting close to reinstalling the deck hardware on my OD22. My 22 has been outfitted with genoa fairlead tracks with movable cars. This is a great addition and helps quite a bit with trim. However, as originally installed (either by O'Day or the PO) the track extends very far aft, about a foot and a half short of the transom. The problem with this (maybe a problem?) is that the winch is well forward of the fairlead when it is in this aft position. The fairlead is often in this position as I have a 155 genoa, which does best to weather with the fairlead far back. You can maybe visualize the issue that I have when I bring the sheet from the aft fairlead, forward to the winch, and then back to the cleat. On the starboard side this creates a situation in which the genoa sheet crosses over itself as the bitter end leaves the winch to the cleat. On the port side the line does not cross itself (b/c of the direction of winch wrap). Should I install the track more forward and sacrifice some of advantages of having the fairlead aft when going to weather? Should I mount the winches further aft along the coamings? Thanks in advance for your help.
Genoa Track Positioning
- Thread starter JoshGray
- Start date
- Status
just add another cleat
why not just add a cam (or regular) cleat foward of the winch?? They are inexpensive, easier to install than moving the winches and can be used for a myriad of things other than the genny sheets.
why not just add a cam (or regular) cleat foward of the winch?? They are inexpensive, easier to install than moving the winches and can be used for a myriad of things other than the genny sheets.
no problem with what you've described so far
This shouldn't be a problem at all. It's the situation on many larger boats using large genoas. Spinnakers too. You do have a problem when the fairlead is too close to the winch (i.e. right next to it) because the vertical angle is too much for the winch. I believe most winches are designed to have the load lead to it from about 10-20 degrees. One solution is to add a cheek block even further aft to ensure a proper lead into the winch. You can use it only when necessary if friction is much of a bother but make sure the sheets are long enough. You want to be careful about installing the cheek blocks because they will be loaded with twice the sheet load having a turning angle close to 180 degrees. You won't want to use a standard block unless it is anchored absolutely securely and cleanly. Be sure to use a large backing plate and through-bolts on the cheek block. I say this because in the past 10 years I've known 4 of people in my area who were killed after the block gave way and cracked their skulls open (albeit on much larger boats where the loads are disproportionately larger).
This shouldn't be a problem at all. It's the situation on many larger boats using large genoas. Spinnakers too. You do have a problem when the fairlead is too close to the winch (i.e. right next to it) because the vertical angle is too much for the winch. I believe most winches are designed to have the load lead to it from about 10-20 degrees. One solution is to add a cheek block even further aft to ensure a proper lead into the winch. You can use it only when necessary if friction is much of a bother but make sure the sheets are long enough. You want to be careful about installing the cheek blocks because they will be loaded with twice the sheet load having a turning angle close to 180 degrees. You won't want to use a standard block unless it is anchored absolutely securely and cleanly. Be sure to use a large backing plate and through-bolts on the cheek block. I say this because in the past 10 years I've known 4 of people in my area who were killed after the block gave way and cracked their skulls open (albeit on much larger boats where the loads are disproportionately larger).
- Status