Has anyone added self tailing winches to their H 260 and if so is it worth it ? Also has anyone added winches to aft cockpit for spinnaker or fore sail sheets ?
Self tailing winches
- Thread starter grangehill
- Start date
Funny.... I just posted a similar thread asking about the spaces on my H280 that appear to be for optional winches in the cockpit area of my H280.
I don't have your boat but I can tell you adding ST winches made a significant difference in the "single-handed-ability" of the boat as well as enabled those who are not versed with winches to do trim when needed with little to no direction. They are expensive but a significant addition. I'd put it just under a autopilot for ease at single handed function. West Marine normally has a bogo free option once a year. I don't buy from them but did for this Lewmar 40STs
Hi did you install a kinda temporary traveler or did u mount in a permanent setup and where did you mount it ?
I was thinking of maybe just pulling main sheet across to cleat or winch so she could maybe point better . Granted I have not sailed this vessel yet so time will tell , but a traveler is a must on most …
The aft winches are for spinnaker sheets. Simply install turning blocks and route the spin sheets to your cabin top winches. You can also install Barton winchers Amazon.com : Barton Marine 21641 Small Wincher (Pair) : Computer Monitors : Sports & Outdoors vs. installing new self tailing winches or replacing winches with self tailing ones.
Yes I realize the aft winches are for a spinnaker or maybe a larger foresail and on a Hunter 260 there is no toe rail so ya just can’t place blocks where needed … and I did have winches on the Bayfield they are ok but ….
That looks nice and neat…did you move purchase point on boom forwards ?
Don't waste money on "winchers" if you think they make a standard into a self tailing winch. They aren't gonna do it. Besides, you'd never want rubber rings around the top of a sheet winch that needs loading and unloading quickly. Only thing they can do is act as a cleat, which helps for holding halyards.... but heck, then you can't use it for a sheet winch if it's cleating a halyard.
Oh.... and that's a good reason to install another pair of winches close to the helm... so you can work the headsail while steering the boat and leave the cabin top gear for halyards, reefing and other stuff.
As far as a single handing aid, my experience is that it's kinda cool to have them but you get used to what you have. A two speed winch, standard or self tailing, is a way better upgrade. I replaced both my halyard winches on the cabin and my primaries near the helm a few years back with ST Lewmars , taking advantage of the BOGO sale at WM. Saved a ton of money and the machinery is absolutely beautiful, making my 45 year old boat look sweet and sassy. But.... if you have a tiller pilot....and you definitely should have one.... highest priority imho..... then it's easy to free up two hands to manage the standard winch. In fact you can postpone the second pair of winches until the sale comes around, but today go get a good tiller pilot.
Finally, as far as spinnaker work goes, I have two small Lewmar 7's, set aft of the Primaries, for spin sheets... but I rarely winch them... instead I use the drum to route the sheet to the windward side of the boat. I can then sit on the coaming, where I can see the sail's luff, while steering with the tiller extension in one hand and working the sheet in the other. Now that I have the tiller pilot connected to my network, I can set it to steer to TRUE wind for downwind work. (even so I still prefer to steer manually, takes me back to the dinghy racing days) It's a bunch of fun either way... no loser there, my friend.
So remember, if you're gonna single hand.... your first priority is wearing (not just owning) a harness and a tether.... and having a good tiller pilot. The rest is luxury. Have fun.
Oh.... and that's a good reason to install another pair of winches close to the helm... so you can work the headsail while steering the boat and leave the cabin top gear for halyards, reefing and other stuff.
As far as a single handing aid, my experience is that it's kinda cool to have them but you get used to what you have. A two speed winch, standard or self tailing, is a way better upgrade. I replaced both my halyard winches on the cabin and my primaries near the helm a few years back with ST Lewmars , taking advantage of the BOGO sale at WM. Saved a ton of money and the machinery is absolutely beautiful, making my 45 year old boat look sweet and sassy. But.... if you have a tiller pilot....and you definitely should have one.... highest priority imho..... then it's easy to free up two hands to manage the standard winch. In fact you can postpone the second pair of winches until the sale comes around, but today go get a good tiller pilot.
Finally, as far as spinnaker work goes, I have two small Lewmar 7's, set aft of the Primaries, for spin sheets... but I rarely winch them... instead I use the drum to route the sheet to the windward side of the boat. I can then sit on the coaming, where I can see the sail's luff, while steering with the tiller extension in one hand and working the sheet in the other. Now that I have the tiller pilot connected to my network, I can set it to steer to TRUE wind for downwind work. (even so I still prefer to steer manually, takes me back to the dinghy racing days) It's a bunch of fun either way... no loser there, my friend.
So remember, if you're gonna single hand.... your first priority is wearing (not just owning) a harness and a tether.... and having a good tiller pilot. The rest is luxury. Have fun.
From my experience, I love my self tailers. Got new ones from the West Marine BOGO sale. My boat came with them but, they were a bit tired so I swapped them out. Keep an eye out for the sale early next year. Winches are just a no. If you are going to do it, do it right. Travellers are a must in my view as well. If you can go across the setees at the companionway for a longer track, do it. On mine, it goes all the way across and that length is very nice to have. Look into the Lewmar systems, check Defender for them and size apropriately. I of course have a different boat but, from my experience, I would recommend the changes. These are not "Racer specific", they are for good sail handling and sail trim. My 2 cents.
The winchers work OK. I never had an issue with taking the line off the winch. I agree with Joe that two speed is more useful than self tailing
If you decide to replace your winch I would recommend using Unistrut washers as backing plates. Very thick, good anti corrosion coating and very reasonably priced. Should outlast the boat
If you decide to replace your winch I would recommend using Unistrut washers as backing plates. Very thick, good anti corrosion coating and very reasonably priced. Should outlast the boat
I can post more pics of the install once I’m back on my computer.
I did not change the boom attachment. There was an aluminum plate in the bridge deck so I was able to tap and thread the bolts. The track is a piece of used Genoa track I got off of eBay.
I still have the second piece if you want it.
Yes I agree nice neat install ! Think I’ll follow his lead , I happen to have a Shark 24 in the fence row that has long been past it’s best before date , I’m thinking of grabbing the track and cars from its traveler if still usable in hopes I can rig something up . Would like to get more information re encapsulated aluminum plate where Rob tapped into.
In this pic you can see five holes through bridge deck. The middle three are into the aluminum plate embedded in the deck. The outside two are not and are through bolted. When through bolting you need to do a small hole cut through the liner so that the nut and washer sit flush against the actual deck and not the headliner.
