I moved up this year from a '81 Hunter 30 to an '85 Hunter 34' and love it so far. We do some club racing and have a question on the Maxwell primary winches that I believe were original equipment. We have tried 4-5 winch handles, none of which will lock into the winch. Is there such a thing as a Maxwell handle or perhaps some other manufacturer's handle that will actually lock down into the winch? Also, is it worthwhile to place an angled pad beneath the winch to line up the sheet better for this summer or should we just wait 'til we upgrade the winches next winter?
Locking Winches Handle???
- Thread starter Rich G
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Rich, We bought our H34 new in '86.
I can't remember ever using our lock-in winch handle on our Maxwell's. I have no idea if it will lock-in. I'll check today. So what's the deal with your mounting angle? The genoa sheet leads should be fair. On all H34 I've seen the Maxwell's that are standard equipment are mounted toward the stern end and the spot for PRIMARY winches is left blank. I filled my blank space with Barient 27s.
I can't remember ever using our lock-in winch handle on our Maxwell's. I have no idea if it will lock-in. I'll check today. So what's the deal with your mounting angle? The genoa sheet leads should be fair. On all H34 I've seen the Maxwell's that are standard equipment are mounted toward the stern end and the spot for PRIMARY winches is left blank. I filled my blank space with Barient 27s.
You should be able to use locking handles.
I have tried different ones and they all worked good. My Maxwell are #24 and like Fred's they are located towards the rear, almost in line with the wheel. Take a look inside the winch where the handle fits. There should be a slot all around about 1/8 of an inch to let in the lock as seen in the attached picture (small square plate at the bottom of handle). I am currently using Barlow's and SeaDog's handles, whichever I happen to grab first. I believe I got them several years ago at WM. They have a little lever on top that I can flick left or right with my thumb to release the handle. I sail solo most time and don't even bother removing the handle from the winch until it's time to tack. This allows me to trim without fussing to locate or retrieve the handle. Good luck
I have tried different ones and they all worked good. My Maxwell are #24 and like Fred's they are located towards the rear, almost in line with the wheel. Take a look inside the winch where the handle fits. There should be a slot all around about 1/8 of an inch to let in the lock as seen in the attached picture (small square plate at the bottom of handle). I am currently using Barlow's and SeaDog's handles, whichever I happen to grab first. I believe I got them several years ago at WM. They have a little lever on top that I can flick left or right with my thumb to release the handle. I sail solo most time and don't even bother removing the handle from the winch until it's time to tack. This allows me to trim without fussing to locate or retrieve the handle. Good luck
Winch angle
The winch is close to perpendicular to the deck, whereas the sheet comes in from the sheve (sp?) at an angle that makes the sheet want to ride over itself at the low end of the winch drum, rather than wrap itself cleanly directly around the drum. A pad slightly angling the winch top away from cockpit would solve that problem. I'm just not sure if it's worth the effort for one summer. Thanks, Claude, I'll try those handles & see if they lock.
The winch is close to perpendicular to the deck, whereas the sheet comes in from the sheve (sp?) at an angle that makes the sheet want to ride over itself at the low end of the winch drum, rather than wrap itself cleanly directly around the drum. A pad slightly angling the winch top away from cockpit would solve that problem. I'm just not sure if it's worth the effort for one summer. Thanks, Claude, I'll try those handles & see if they lock.
Sorry Rich, don't know what to tell you.
I've never seen that happen on these boats. It's one of those touchy-feely things so I'd have to be there. And I didn't make it to the boat yesterday. My truck broke. Think I'll buy a new truck today. Don't ask.
I've never seen that happen on these boats. It's one of those touchy-feely things so I'd have to be there. And I didn't make it to the boat yesterday. My truck broke. Think I'll buy a new truck today. Don't ask.
Maxwell Winch Handle
I've got a pair of Maxwell 23ST's and Maxwell 20's on my H28.5. I sometimes use a non-locking 8" Maxwell winch handle, and just leave it in the winch. Even heeled way over, there is no way that handle is going to fall out. I also use a 10" really heavy big Barient handle (from my last boat) that gives more leverage and is also non-locking and won't fall out, either. Finally,I have a pair of cheap Titan 8" locking winches that, while they do lock in the Maxwells, don't work nearly as well as the others I mentioned.
I've got a pair of Maxwell 23ST's and Maxwell 20's on my H28.5. I sometimes use a non-locking 8" Maxwell winch handle, and just leave it in the winch. Even heeled way over, there is no way that handle is going to fall out. I also use a 10" really heavy big Barient handle (from my last boat) that gives more leverage and is also non-locking and won't fall out, either. Finally,I have a pair of cheap Titan 8" locking winches that, while they do lock in the Maxwells, don't work nearly as well as the others I mentioned.
Sea Dog trial
Purchased and tried a SeaDog handle--doesn't lock in. The winch seems to have the locking groove only 1/2 down the shaft. Doesn't make sense to me. There are a couple of H34's in the marina. I'll check & see if they're similar.
Purchased and tried a SeaDog handle--doesn't lock in. The winch seems to have the locking groove only 1/2 down the shaft. Doesn't make sense to me. There are a couple of H34's in the marina. I'll check & see if they're similar.
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