does anyone have experience with the blue self tailing rubber gizmo that you can fit on top of your standard winch - does it do the job? Is it worth $20 - $40.
Self Tailing Gizmo
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Rubber Self Tailers
I used the rubber tailers for 12 years on my 27 foot Hunter. They worked great. Never failed to hold, even with the 150% genny in strong winds. Once a year I would apply a coat of Armour All to keep them from drying out. I also used winch covers to prevent drying and cracking.
I used the rubber tailers for 12 years on my 27 foot Hunter. They worked great. Never failed to hold, even with the 150% genny in strong winds. Once a year I would apply a coat of Armour All to keep them from drying out. I also used winch covers to prevent drying and cracking.
Where did you locate this devise?
I have heard about it but haven't seen it (I haven't been looking that hard). Where did you find it?
I have heard about it but haven't seen it (I haven't been looking that hard). Where did you find it?
I love 'em
if you check the archives of this site, you will find all sorts of opinions about the Winchers, ranging from raves to rants. I use them and think they're great. I like Bob's maintenance suggestions. Last season was the first time that a sheet slipped from the Wincher; I did nothing to protect them since installing them, and after 5 years, I don't wonder that they might be starting to lose their grip.
if you check the archives of this site, you will find all sorts of opinions about the Winchers, ranging from raves to rants. I use them and think they're great. I like Bob's maintenance suggestions. Last season was the first time that a sheet slipped from the Wincher; I did nothing to protect them since installing them, and after 5 years, I don't wonder that they might be starting to lose their grip.
winchers
I used them on my Hunter 33 with great results. Beats buying self tailing winches for $$$$$$$$'s. I kept winch covers on when not in use and they showed no weathering after two years use.
I used them on my Hunter 33 with great results. Beats buying self tailing winches for $$$$$$$$'s. I kept winch covers on when not in use and they showed no weathering after two years use.
winchers
They don't actually turn your winches into self tailers but they sure are handy. I used them on a Glouchester 22 and they worked great. They are a little tricky to install but certainly doable. My first try, lost one in the drink. Second time, I had another set of hands to help. I too kept winch covers on to protect them, and the winches, when not in use. A great $30 investment.
They don't actually turn your winches into self tailers but they sure are handy. I used them on a Glouchester 22 and they worked great. They are a little tricky to install but certainly doable. My first try, lost one in the drink. Second time, I had another set of hands to help. I too kept winch covers on to protect them, and the winches, when not in use. A great $30 investment.
Useful
I bought a pair last spring and found them to be quire useful. They don't actually self-tail, but provide a cleating-action that is fairly strong. They work best with three wraps of the sheet around the winch, such that the tension of the sheet pushes the wraps up against the bottom of the 'wincher'. This provides enough friction to hold the sheet in moderate winds, for extra holding power, you can always use the cleat (cam or otherwise) that you'd use anyway. I can't remember if I have ever cleated it in the 'wincher' itself, but I may have tried it once or twice. One downside is that it makes trimming the sheet a little difficult. You can sheet IN easily, but sheeting OUT is tough due to the upward force on the wraps. Tacking is easy to do, even single-handed because of the 'auto' cleating of the sheet against the bottom of the 'wincher'. I recommend them highly. I use winch covers and have not had any problems thus far. I thought about having my winches re-plated, but am not sure that I could get the 'winchers' off easily. Good Luck!
I bought a pair last spring and found them to be quire useful. They don't actually self-tail, but provide a cleating-action that is fairly strong. They work best with three wraps of the sheet around the winch, such that the tension of the sheet pushes the wraps up against the bottom of the 'wincher'. This provides enough friction to hold the sheet in moderate winds, for extra holding power, you can always use the cleat (cam or otherwise) that you'd use anyway. I can't remember if I have ever cleated it in the 'wincher' itself, but I may have tried it once or twice. One downside is that it makes trimming the sheet a little difficult. You can sheet IN easily, but sheeting OUT is tough due to the upward force on the wraps. Tacking is easy to do, even single-handed because of the 'auto' cleating of the sheet against the bottom of the 'wincher'. I recommend them highly. I use winch covers and have not had any problems thus far. I thought about having my winches re-plated, but am not sure that I could get the 'winchers' off easily. Good Luck!
Winchers
My experience is that folks who think they don't work may have misused them by trying to get the line in the jaws at the top of the Winchers. As noted above by David, the way they work is to have the three wraps of sheet "build up" underneath. It's the bottom of the top section that actually holds the line. Used them for 12 years on a C25 on SF Bay. Great things. Stu
My experience is that folks who think they don't work may have misused them by trying to get the line in the jaws at the top of the Winchers. As noted above by David, the way they work is to have the three wraps of sheet "build up" underneath. It's the bottom of the top section that actually holds the line. Used them for 12 years on a C25 on SF Bay. Great things. Stu
Don't waste your money...
...if you're looking for a cheap alternative to self-tailing winches. Check the archives for a very recent discussion on this exact subject and you'll find many, many negative comments. Let me be very clear...they are not a self-tailing device. What they do fairly well is act as a cleat. However, I already have jam and cam cleats on my boat for the sheets and halyards that are very effective and easier to use. As far as any self-tailing goes, my definition is that you can crank in a line without having to strip out the tail. With a wincher you can make small adjustments without tailing, but the winch must be fully loaded, i.e. completely wrapped, so the little ribs on the bottom side of the device catch the line to prevent slipping. There is no line stripping claw to peel away the tail. That little device is what makes the ST winches double the price of standard ones. I have the winchers on my halyard winches, but I find them not very useful. I would not put them on my sheet winches, because they are very inconvenient to unload quickly.
...if you're looking for a cheap alternative to self-tailing winches. Check the archives for a very recent discussion on this exact subject and you'll find many, many negative comments. Let me be very clear...they are not a self-tailing device. What they do fairly well is act as a cleat. However, I already have jam and cam cleats on my boat for the sheets and halyards that are very effective and easier to use. As far as any self-tailing goes, my definition is that you can crank in a line without having to strip out the tail. With a wincher you can make small adjustments without tailing, but the winch must be fully loaded, i.e. completely wrapped, so the little ribs on the bottom side of the device catch the line to prevent slipping. There is no line stripping claw to peel away the tail. That little device is what makes the ST winches double the price of standard ones. I have the winchers on my halyard winches, but I find them not very useful. I would not put them on my sheet winches, because they are very inconvenient to unload quickly.
Sel Tailing Gismo
Like Stu, I've used them for many years on a MacGregor22, a C25 and a C30. They do not take the place of self tailing winches but I knew that from the git go. The way I used them was with 3 wraps and then one turn around the cleat. The turn on the cleat merely overlapped the line and was not cleated. In all the years using them in that manner, I never lost an adjustment. The lock around the cleat prevented sheet movement. On cleating a jib sheet - I see a lot of sailors cleat the jib sheet like the are securing the Queen Mary and it is not necessary. In fact, it is dangerous because in an emergancy it is sometimes difficult to get the sheet loose plus you loose time. You can use the overlap method I suggested or if your not happy with that just take a turn around the cleat horns but don't lock it. To make an easing adjustment, I merely take one turn off the winch, and with my hand on the remaining 2 turns, merely eased the sheet. To release the sheet completely, all I do is take the turn off the cleat and pull straight UP over the winch and the line spins off nicely and very quickly. The other way is to spin off the line but pulling straight up is easier. Try it next time your out sailing and see if it works for you. It is tough to release a sheet that way with a self tailing winch because the horn gets in the way. I would have preferred self tailing winches but the pop of about $1800 was too much for my pocket book. Actually, my wife would not part with the bucks!!! I could have bought them myself but I wanted her to split the cost with me - she's in the boat title also.
Like Stu, I've used them for many years on a MacGregor22, a C25 and a C30. They do not take the place of self tailing winches but I knew that from the git go. The way I used them was with 3 wraps and then one turn around the cleat. The turn on the cleat merely overlapped the line and was not cleated. In all the years using them in that manner, I never lost an adjustment. The lock around the cleat prevented sheet movement. On cleating a jib sheet - I see a lot of sailors cleat the jib sheet like the are securing the Queen Mary and it is not necessary. In fact, it is dangerous because in an emergancy it is sometimes difficult to get the sheet loose plus you loose time. You can use the overlap method I suggested or if your not happy with that just take a turn around the cleat horns but don't lock it. To make an easing adjustment, I merely take one turn off the winch, and with my hand on the remaining 2 turns, merely eased the sheet. To release the sheet completely, all I do is take the turn off the cleat and pull straight UP over the winch and the line spins off nicely and very quickly. The other way is to spin off the line but pulling straight up is easier. Try it next time your out sailing and see if it works for you. It is tough to release a sheet that way with a self tailing winch because the horn gets in the way. I would have preferred self tailing winches but the pop of about $1800 was too much for my pocket book. Actually, my wife would not part with the bucks!!! I could have bought them myself but I wanted her to split the cost with me - she's in the boat title also.
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