Moving winches to the cabintop or poptop?

[Bobby McCullough]

I want to move my winches to the cabintop or poptop of my 81 C22. Has anyone done this...how did you like it, were there any issues, etc? I have recently installed a Johnson board to the poptop and the stress all appears to be shear and the poptop will not budge that direction. I have risers for the winches if I use the cabintop so that lines to the starboard winch will run fair. I can mount them securly on the poptop though by hollowing out the holes for mounting, filling them with thickened epoxy and then redrilling. This worked great for the Johnson board. I don't want to drill boat more than I will need to and would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

 

[Ray Bowles.]

Why? I can't see any advantage.

I sail a 1980 C22 so we have the same boat. The winch is not needed for raising either the main or genoa. I have found it needed only for the jib or genoa when in winds above 15 knots. If they were on the cabin top they would be unusable. Additionally, if you use them for a spinnaker they must remain where the factory put them.The cabin top would be better for preventers, cunninghams, etc. Just my opinion and the structuring of a persons boat is one of the joys of sailing.Enjoy with whatever you chose to do.Ray