I was out on the lake last weekend with some pretty brisk breezes. Max gust I regestered (while I happened to be looking at the gage, I was kinda busy) was 36kts. I have a 29', 6000# boat with an in-mast furling main and I figured it was time to roll up some sail. The problem is that it takes one hand to keep tension on the outhaul, one hand to tail the furling line, and one hand to crank the winch. I noticed right away that I only had 2 hands. Everything worked and I got the sail reefed but it would be much easier with a self tailing winch to replace the Lemar #8 that is there now. Does anyone know who might make a small ST winch?
Selt tailing winches
- Thread starter Bill C320 Papillon
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Try a wincher
look in the West Marine catalog. Much chaper than changing the winch. They work. Stu
look in the West Marine catalog. Much chaper than changing the winch. They work. Stu
I don't know the configuration of your boat...
but can't you run the furling line to another winch? Sounds like in-mast furling is a bit of a bother if it can't be done by one person. Do you have crew to help? This might be a situation where a "wincher" would help. The other thought I had was perhaps your technique needed reevaluation. Try using the winch without the handle, just tailing it by hand. You might have to feather the sails to take the pressure off the main. Or you could heave to and take all the pressure off the main. Another way would be to ease the outhaul a few inches at a time and re cleat before winching in.
but can't you run the furling line to another winch? Sounds like in-mast furling is a bit of a bother if it can't be done by one person. Do you have crew to help? This might be a situation where a "wincher" would help. The other thought I had was perhaps your technique needed reevaluation. Try using the winch without the handle, just tailing it by hand. You might have to feather the sails to take the pressure off the main. Or you could heave to and take all the pressure off the main. Another way would be to ease the outhaul a few inches at a time and re cleat before winching in.
Ellis,Joe and Stu
Thanks for your input. Joe, I've had several boats that require conventional reefing over the past 30 years and I wouldn't want a boat without in-mast furling. I'm usually not out in sustained winds of 30kts or more so this was a test and testament for the equipment as well as myself. Everything worked fine and I did all my reefing from the cockpit. I'm just trying to make an old mans life a little easier. I do single hand most of the time and when my wife/friends sail with me, I still single hand if you know what I mean. I hadn't considered furling the main from one of my ST genoa winches, I'll give it a shot and see if it will work. I do have a wincher on the non ST winch and it can be a help but I've also had a problem when using it as a semi ST because the line will continue around the winch and overwrap itself. It would be great if there was some way to add a stripper to the wincher. Again, thanks all Bill
Thanks for your input. Joe, I've had several boats that require conventional reefing over the past 30 years and I wouldn't want a boat without in-mast furling. I'm usually not out in sustained winds of 30kts or more so this was a test and testament for the equipment as well as myself. Everything worked fine and I did all my reefing from the cockpit. I'm just trying to make an old mans life a little easier. I do single hand most of the time and when my wife/friends sail with me, I still single hand if you know what I mean. I hadn't considered furling the main from one of my ST genoa winches, I'll give it a shot and see if it will work. I do have a wincher on the non ST winch and it can be a help but I've also had a problem when using it as a semi ST because the line will continue around the winch and overwrap itself. It would be great if there was some way to add a stripper to the wincher. Again, thanks all Bill
Whoa nellie!
Im not in Kansas Toto!Where in the world do you go in Kansas to go sailing? Just curious.
Im not in Kansas Toto!Where in the world do you go in Kansas to go sailing? Just curious.
Bill
I use the ST jib winch to furl the main with my right hand and feather the outhaul clutch with my left hand to try to keep a balance between the roller furling and outhaul tension. It took a lot of flogging of the main before I figured it out. Also, Bill, let folks know that on our inland lakes we tack and gybe more in a day than coastal sailors do in a month.
I use the ST jib winch to furl the main with my right hand and feather the outhaul clutch with my left hand to try to keep a balance between the roller furling and outhaul tension. It took a lot of flogging of the main before I figured it out. Also, Bill, let folks know that on our inland lakes we tack and gybe more in a day than coastal sailors do in a month.
Kansas Sailing
John, There are several Lakes in Kansas that are suitable for sailing. Most, if not all are man made flood control reservoirs. Non are on the scale of Lake Erie but we have fun and certainly get more practice jibing and tacking. You may have heard that Kansas is known for wind.
John, There are several Lakes in Kansas that are suitable for sailing. Most, if not all are man made flood control reservoirs. Non are on the scale of Lake Erie but we have fun and certainly get more practice jibing and tacking. You may have heard that Kansas is known for wind.
Kansas Sailing
John, There are several Lakes in Kansas that are suitable for sailing. Most, if not all are man made flood control reservoirs. Non are on the scale of Lake Erie but we have fun and certainly get more practice jibing and tacking. You may have heard that Kansas is known for wind.
John, There are several Lakes in Kansas that are suitable for sailing. Most, if not all are man made flood control reservoirs. Non are on the scale of Lake Erie but we have fun and certainly get more practice jibing and tacking. You may have heard that Kansas is known for wind.
Not Defenders
Bill: Drop the "s" it's Defender not Defenders. They are a marine supply catalogue marine supply company. Bare bones catalogue: no slick ads with hot models or other such nonsense. Just good prices. By the way, get the Defender price and walk in to any West Marine store and they will match it or do better. I don't know about the service part. I bought a dodger through them from INDODGER and I had some difficulties with them. However don't base a store's abitity on one marginal experience. Good hunting and you'll like self tailing winches. I got some at the Strictly Sail show in Chicago about four years ago and I love 'em. They are Anderson's which I recommend highly. Mike
Bill: Drop the "s" it's Defender not Defenders. They are a marine supply catalogue marine supply company. Bare bones catalogue: no slick ads with hot models or other such nonsense. Just good prices. By the way, get the Defender price and walk in to any West Marine store and they will match it or do better. I don't know about the service part. I bought a dodger through them from INDODGER and I had some difficulties with them. However don't base a store's abitity on one marginal experience. Good hunting and you'll like self tailing winches. I got some at the Strictly Sail show in Chicago about four years ago and I love 'em. They are Anderson's which I recommend highly. Mike
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