Sheet and halyard handling on a 336

[neilmcc]

As some of you may be aware I have bought a Hunter 336, I have not sailed her yet but am trying to get her ready for next spring at the latest.
I have a need to do, a would like to do and a dream of doing list which grows by the day.
The boat has what appears to be the standard issue rope clutches on the top with one two-speed self tailing winch each side.
Looking at the photographs on this site I see the same type of boat with varying numbers of winches i.e. two on each side at the clutches and also some with a winch on each side coaming.
I will be sailing single, or short handed most of the time so the question is, what will I actually need/want/dream of having?.
I know I will not get all of my lists completed by the time she goes in the water but the more I can so that I can go sailing when she does the better.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[robertsapp]

If you do away with the double ended mainsheet, there really isn't much need for the additional winches at the cabin top beyond the pair you have. You'd most likely only use them for reefing, and we manage just fine by sailing close hauled on the jib with main luffed, and then using the windward (free) winch to pull in the reef. Sail on a starboard tack to pull in reef 1, and a port tack to pull in reef 2.

The cockpit coaming winches are for flying a spinnaker or drifter, and you can actually manage that just fine by taking the sheets through turning blocks at the stern pulpit and then back to the cabin top winches. You won't be flying a spinnaker and the jib together, so the cabin top winches will be free.

Bottom line is if you absolutely have to spend money on something, a second set of winches for the cockpit coaming would probably be much more useful than additional cabintop winches, provided you do away with the double ended mainsheet. It might also make single handing a little easier if you think you would be flying a spinnaker by yourself, but personally that's not something I think I'd do. (A spinnaker is a sail used to create confusion and chaos on what wold normally be a pleasant downwind sail)

You can get by just fine on the pair of winches you have, even single handed, if you have an autopilot you can trust. Set the pilot and stand forward of the pedestal and you can reach everything you need.

Inspect the rope clutches carefully. The Spinlock XA has a pretty cheesy design and they tend to split and crack at the sideplates, plus the parts are no longer available. The good news is that the XAS is the direct fit replacement using the same mounting holes, and is much stronger around the cam axle area.

 

[neilmcc]

Thanks,
I have no burning desire to spend any money which I don't need to so your advice will be heeded and I will leave things the way they are.

 

[stephen Penny]

For single or shorthanded sailing suggest an autopilot with halyards, sheets and lines led through clutches to the cockpit. That is what I used on a Hunter 31 and now my Hunter 386. My dodger and autopilot are my best friends.

From former Tillicoultry and Falkirk Scotland resident 1997 - 1998.

 

[neilmcc]

The new autopilot (Raymarine SPX-5) is in the box ready to fit and the lines all come back to the front of the cockpit so that should be okay.
I guess I need to sail her a few times to see what else I could do with.
Cheers,

 

[stephen Penny]

neilmcc,

Good news. I had a belt drive on my Hunter 31 and replaced it with a Raymarine SPX-5. Works great!!