Self tailing winch ?

[Hydro Therapy]

Looking for advise on my Harken 16 single speed self tailing winches. I’ve noticed that when I crank in my headsail sheets I have to hold the tail end with one hand and crank with the other. If I don’t keep pressure on the tail end the sheet will not stay in the holder and slip around the drum (Holder is probably the wrong term). The winches don’t have a metal arm but have a metal roller that is factory. It is positioned at 6 o’clock from my cranking position. I recently replaced my sheets with 10mm Sta set. The new sheets are a slight improvement over my old worn 12 mm. Harken recommends 8mm to 12 mm. The drums are black plasticish material with diagonal ribs. I wrap the sheets 2 to 3 times around the drums.

This is my first boat with self tailing winches. Should both hands be needed to crank them in?

 

[cb32863]

You should be able to do about 3 wraps on the winch, up on the arm and in tot he jaws. Pull it in tight to the jaw and then crank, the line should not come out. Defeats the purpose of self-tailing. How old are the winches? Are you using a proper sized line for your jib sheet?

 

[Jackdaw]

That is an older Harken that does not automatically adjust to line size. That is why your smaller sheet is falling out. You can however make it better by manually removing a spacer inside the winch. It positions the jaws closer for smaller line.

http://www.harken.com/uploadedfiles/Product_Support/PDF/4600.5-98.pdf

 

[Justin_NSA]

2 wraps probably isn't enough. 3- 4 would be better. Try it before you spend more money

 

[Michael Davis]

Self-tailing winches should leave both hands free. Not sure why you have to tail your jib sheet, but you shouldn't. Maybe more turns on the drum or departure angle for the dead-end.

 

[Gunni]

In addition to adjusting the self-tailer as described by Jackdaw, I would reposition the stripper arm to right at 9 O'clock. That will give you more sheet contact with the friction drum and better hold.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

You mentioned the drums have ribs ! I suspect you mean the jaws. So further to Jackdaw's and Gunni's suggestions, if you still have a problems after trying what they recommend, you might look at cost of replacing the upper jaw. My Maxwell winches' jaws ribs were so worn out that all lines tried from 7/16 to 5/8 slipped beyond mercy. Replacing them solved my issue.

 

[jssailem]

For Jackdaw and Gunni. They are winch Masters.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will try one suggestion at a time and hopefully cure my problem.