since i single-hand, these look like they would be convenient if they really worked. tia~ william
has anyone used the Wincher Self-Tailers?
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What boat do you have?
They won't fit the 26/260 winches. One size too big (winch is 1 size too small.)
They won't fit the 26/260 winches. One size too big (winch is 1 size too small.)
For the money they work great
I use them on my Pearson 28. It has Lewmar 16s. They still require 2 hands but they take the tension off the non cranking hand. Also nice for racing as they do not require cleating the sheets so the sheets can be quickly adjusted or released. That said, I would use them to tail the sheets in a big blow but not cleat the sheets. Tim R.
I use them on my Pearson 28. It has Lewmar 16s. They still require 2 hands but they take the tension off the non cranking hand. Also nice for racing as they do not require cleating the sheets so the sheets can be quickly adjusted or released. That said, I would use them to tail the sheets in a big blow but not cleat the sheets. Tim R.
They are great..
I put them on about ten years ago. Very hard to put on without much soap as lubricant and need to rinse off soap to prevent slipping. I single hand a lot (sailed to honolu in Fall of 94) and they work, in my experience better than self tailing winches. Although they are self cleating too, I always cleat off the sheet as well. The quality of the rubber is also great as they have not rotted at all over 9 or ten years. However, I do take care of them as seen in part of this movie. http://homepage.mac.com/seebiskit/iMovieTheater19.html Great Product!
I put them on about ten years ago. Very hard to put on without much soap as lubricant and need to rinse off soap to prevent slipping. I single hand a lot (sailed to honolu in Fall of 94) and they work, in my experience better than self tailing winches. Although they are self cleating too, I always cleat off the sheet as well. The quality of the rubber is also great as they have not rotted at all over 9 or ten years. However, I do take care of them as seen in part of this movie. http://homepage.mac.com/seebiskit/iMovieTheater19.html Great Product!
Wincher
They really work well, but as Jim indicated, they are tough to put on. Bring all your curse words. Worth it though when you get them installed, and they last a really long time.
They really work well, but as Jim indicated, they are tough to put on. Bring all your curse words. Worth it though when you get them installed, and they last a really long time.
They suck!
Don't waste your money. They do not self-tail, you need two hands to operate, just like a regular winch. What you can do is cleat the line on the wincher, but you still need two hands... so what's the point. Let me make myself very clear... the wincher will not turn your standard winch into a self-tailing one. I have two on my halyard winches you can have them for free.
Don't waste your money. They do not self-tail, you need two hands to operate, just like a regular winch. What you can do is cleat the line on the wincher, but you still need two hands... so what's the point. Let me make myself very clear... the wincher will not turn your standard winch into a self-tailing one. I have two on my halyard winches you can have them for free.
Better than self-tailing winches?
You've got to be kidding. If they're so great, why doesn't EVERYONE have them? These things are no replacement for self-tailing winches. As Joe stated, you still need two hands, so what's the point. Now, If you stated that they're great for someone who cannot afford self-tailing winches, I would agree with you. But, BETTER than self-tailers? I don't think so. Just my eversohumble opinion. Cheers, Bob
You've got to be kidding. If they're so great, why doesn't EVERYONE have them? These things are no replacement for self-tailing winches. As Joe stated, you still need two hands, so what's the point. Now, If you stated that they're great for someone who cannot afford self-tailing winches, I would agree with you. But, BETTER than self-tailers? I don't think so. Just my eversohumble opinion. Cheers, Bob
they are junk
I have returned two things in my life....1 was a welder that was defective the other was those stupid rubber donuts because they were useless and too expensive to chalk up to experience
I have returned two things in my life....1 was a welder that was defective the other was those stupid rubber donuts because they were useless and too expensive to chalk up to experience
Here's your answer
Buy them and try them out. If you don't like them, return them. I have seen people remove these because they did not know how to use them. Read the instructions. Installation is easier if you toss them in some boiling water first. And they are not expensive. If you own a boat then 40 bucks is not a lot of money. 1200 bucks for STs is. Tim R.
Buy them and try them out. If you don't like them, return them. I have seen people remove these because they did not know how to use them. Read the instructions. Installation is easier if you toss them in some boiling water first. And they are not expensive. If you own a boat then 40 bucks is not a lot of money. 1200 bucks for STs is. Tim R.
winchers
I put them on my last boat and they were great. As stated by others, they do not make winches self tailing but they are the most convenient cleating devises I have found when you don't have ST winches. For single handing, you can run your leeward sheet around the leeward winch and cleat it to the windward wincher giving instant access for sheet trimming while sitting on the windward side of the cockpit. I used standard winch covers to protect mine. Others are also correct on how hard they can be to get onto the winch. On my first try, I lost one to the lake. Use 2 people, heat them, and lubricate with dishwashing soap. Once they are on, They're pretty permanent.
I put them on my last boat and they were great. As stated by others, they do not make winches self tailing but they are the most convenient cleating devises I have found when you don't have ST winches. For single handing, you can run your leeward sheet around the leeward winch and cleat it to the windward wincher giving instant access for sheet trimming while sitting on the windward side of the cockpit. I used standard winch covers to protect mine. Others are also correct on how hard they can be to get onto the winch. On my first try, I lost one to the lake. Use 2 people, heat them, and lubricate with dishwashing soap. Once they are on, They're pretty permanent.
Joe, i'll take you up on your offer...
...if they will fit my winches of course. i have maxwell 16s that are 3.3" on the top w/ 2.4 on the drum diameter. sounds like it is either love or hate...not much in between. man can i generate controversy with some of my posts! some day when things get slow here i'll ask about favorite guns on-board or something.
no, i can't, (or won't), afford self tailers and they would be about the most valuable part of my boat if i did....about $800.00 for a set of Lewmars....thats 25% of what i paid for my boat! sounds like some think these may be an "improvement" tho. william my e mail is: gdbg66a2000@yahoo.com
...if they will fit my winches of course. i have maxwell 16s that are 3.3" on the top w/ 2.4 on the drum diameter. sounds like it is either love or hate...not much in between. man can i generate controversy with some of my posts! some day when things get slow here i'll ask about favorite guns on-board or something.
no, i can't, (or won't), afford self tailers and they would be about the most valuable part of my boat if i did....about $800.00 for a set of Lewmars....thats 25% of what i paid for my boat! sounds like some think these may be an "improvement" tho. william my e mail is: gdbg66a2000@yahoo.com
Winchers
I disagree about "don't make them self-tailing." I had a pair on my C25 for 11 years. The rim at the top is NOT the place to put the line. They way they work, AND PROVIDE COMPLETE SELF-TAILING, is to wrap the jib sheet three times around the drum, then winch with a winch handle. The line will build up UNDER the lower lip and provide a complete self-tail. You end up with what would normally be considered too many wraps around the drum. If you look under the upper lip you'll see the little strips that provide enough friction to provide this feature. Others may have had different experiences, but those were mine for 11 years of single handing. They are a great addition at a tremendous price compared to replacing winches with true self tailing. If you're really strapped for cash and you can't put the Winchers on your existing winches, consider getting a standard winch of the right size and using the Winchers. That's still cheaper than a pair of new self tailing winches. Stu
I disagree about "don't make them self-tailing." I had a pair on my C25 for 11 years. The rim at the top is NOT the place to put the line. They way they work, AND PROVIDE COMPLETE SELF-TAILING, is to wrap the jib sheet three times around the drum, then winch with a winch handle. The line will build up UNDER the lower lip and provide a complete self-tail. You end up with what would normally be considered too many wraps around the drum. If you look under the upper lip you'll see the little strips that provide enough friction to provide this feature. Others may have had different experiences, but those were mine for 11 years of single handing. They are a great addition at a tremendous price compared to replacing winches with true self tailing. If you're really strapped for cash and you can't put the Winchers on your existing winches, consider getting a standard winch of the right size and using the Winchers. That's still cheaper than a pair of new self tailing winches. Stu
"self tailing"
I think there is confustion here. True "self tailing" winches allow the sheet to automatically "peel" away from the winch drum giving you true one hand operation. winchers will not do this. The free end of the sheet will continue to wrap(and tangle) itself around the winch if not removed while cranking. Tim R.
I think there is confustion here. True "self tailing" winches allow the sheet to automatically "peel" away from the winch drum giving you true one hand operation. winchers will not do this. The free end of the sheet will continue to wrap(and tangle) itself around the winch if not removed while cranking. Tim R.
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