Maxwell Winches Jamming lines

[lr172]

I am a brand new sailor and have an issue using the winches on my new to me Hunter 34. It is a '85 model with the Maxwell Self-tailing Jib winches. I have rebuilt them and they operate smoothly.

I am brand new to sailing and my issue could be about anything, but looking for experience from others with the same setup.

I run the jib sheets through the roller and then back to the cheek block and onto the winch. I don't have too much problem when pulling the sheet by hand. However, when I grind on the winch (with the sheet held in the tailing groove), the sheet does not move up the drum. Instead, it begins to wrap around the lowest wrap of line and build outward. I know this is not how it is supposed to work, but don't understand why the line is not feeding up the drum as it turns.

Can anyone lend some tips? The jib sheets are 9/16, as rigged by the P/O. I am now wondering if that is too large. However, they have seen some use, so they must have worked for him.

Thanks for your assistance.

Larry

 

[dave lundy]

Hi Larry,
i had the identical issue and it kind of solved itself when i went to two wraps instead of the usual four. 9/16 is overkill and you'll find the self tailing apparatus will spit out the line unless there is a great strain on it. i went to a hightech line of 10mm and the winch now acts perfectly.
good luck,

dave

 

[lr172]

Thanks dave. I was thinking that it might be the three turns I was using, but didn't think to try two wraps while at sea. I only had my younger sons with me on my first sail and had a lot of other things on my mind

I figured the 9/16 was too big but didn't want to buy any more lines this year if I could avoid it. Fortunately they didn't fall out of the groove if I yanked on them hard. I will replace them next year.

The sheets have some very fine pillling on the cover and it is not smooth like new line. can the rougher surface of these lines keep them from riding up the drum like they are supposed to?

Larry