Self-Tailing Winch Operation

[colmitch71]

Folks,
My H-31 1985 has Maxwell self tailing primary winches, but this question is a general one. Where should one locate the metal "flange" that is attached to the top of the winch and overlaps the self tailing jaws? Should the sheet be placed on it first or first in the jaws?
In my case, the genoa sheet leads from the sail through an adjustable deck car, past the winch to a deck mounted "cheek" turning block at the stern and then to the winch.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank You

 

[Don Crowther]

I always put the sheet on the jaws and use the metal"flange" to release the sheet from the jaws
Don

 

[Maine Sail]

Looks like

It should loom like this. In higher wind take a couple more wraps on the winch drum first..

 

[Bob V]

the way I do it is three wraps around the winch before the next wrap goes over the metal flange and then between the jaws. The metal flange guides the line into the jaws as you are cranking.

 

[Bob V]

Mainesail beat me to it

and with a very dynamic looking background, too.

Are those waves as serious as they look or is it just the camera angle?

 

[Maine Sail]

and with a very dynamic looking background, too.

Are those waves as serious as they look or is it just the camera angle?

They were only 8-10 but fairly spread out and with wind only 18-22 knots. It was the end of a storm that was winding down.

 

[catsailor]

Keep in mind it is still well to guide the rope away from the winch.

There are more than a few way that the tail can get back into the winch, under the other turns, and jam things up.

 

[Joe]

It's called the "stripping arm". Here's a quote from WM advisor on placement and the source article's link.

"Mount the stripping arm so that it points at the person grinding the winch, somewhere between the 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock positions."
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/SailboatWinches.htm

 

[Bad Obsession]

For cruising sailors, self tailing winches are the best thing since sliced bread. It is great for us single handers!

 

[Warren Milberg]

It is quite easy to adjust the position of the stripping arms on my Maxwell 23 STs. I happen to like the starboard winch to have the arm at the 9 o'clock position and the port winch at 3 o'clock. Play with your winches and find the place you like best. I always take at least two turns around the drum prior to running the sheet around the stripping arm and into the jaws.

 

[Bad Obsession]

The higher the wind speed, the more wraps. In light wind 1 wrap. In heavier air 2 wraps. I never make more than three wraps.

 

[tsmwebb]

Pretty sure Lewmar requires three wraps. On lightly loaded control lines I sometimes use two, but on the jib sheets I'm usually looking at 4-5 (all that will fit). If the line slips in the jaws it may well damage them. The jaws aren't intended to hold big loads -- cleats or stoppers are for that.

Moving the stripper on the Lewmars is easy, too. Just unscrew the retaining nut, pop the arm out of it's notches, rotate to the desired position and reverse the procedure. Takes longer to type than to do.

--Tom.

 

[Ron20324]

Implied above, but not actually stated, if the line slips on the drum, make more wraps. The rough drum is like sandpaper to slipping line, so don't let it slip.... If the line slips in the jaws, the line is too small, though some winches may have adjustments for line size.

 

[colmitch71]

Re: Looks like

Great picture! This sas it all!!