Slipping jib sheets on vintage Maxwell winches.

[Tallgrass Sailor]

I've had 3 wraps of a 1/2 in jib sheet and was trying to sheet the jib a bit tighter with the winch handle. The winch rotated but didn't tighten the sheet. The wind wasn't more than 10-12 kts and I was on a close reach.

Q. Is this slip by 'design' or has the friction surface lost some of its grip over the last 25 years and needs to be replaced or roughened up?


Brad

 

[Alan]

Your answer is, no and yes. I have to question the '1/2 inch jib sheet'. Why do you need such a hawser on a 23' boat? A 3/8" or even 7/16" sheet would be more than sufficient size and would allow you to get an additional wrap on the winch. You may want to consider a newer self tailing winch but the sheet size will need to be within the operating range of the self tailer.

 

[kloudie1]

If you disassemble the winch and take the drum only to a machine shop, they can lightly knurl the surface back to roughness.. They won't charge very much if you bring the drum only.. Smaller sheets will grip better too.

 

[stephen Penny]

You can install Watski winchers, rubber disks that fit over the top of your non-self-tailing winches, to make them perform like self tailers. Winchers are available from West Marine, Defender, etc. for ~$40 per pair and sized to match your sheet diameter and winch drum diameter. A smaller sheet diameter will also help.

 

[Warren Milberg]

It should be a relatively easy matter to feel the surfaces of your winch drums to see if they are too smooth to properly grip your sheets. But my guess is that you need to replace your sheets which may be wearing out and becoming smooth as well. I agree with the other posters that 3/8" or 7/16" would be a better choice for your size boat. FYI, I've got 24-yr old Maxwells on my boat and they work well. I found they worked even better when I recently replaced the old sheets.

 

[C Jones]

Brad, My old worn 1/2" jib sheets slipped a little with two wraps on my Maxwells. The new 7/16" jib sheets have not slipped on the few times I have used the winch handle on my 135 genoa. I have had them on the boat about 2 months and they have just as good a "Hand" as the 1/2" did now that I am used to them. Hope this helps. Charles

 

[Steve Dion]

When a line gets old the line jacket may be dirty and hardened.

I suggest that you take the sheets off and take them home, put them in a pillow case with a little detergent. Be sure to use some liquid fabric softener during the rinse cycle.

If this does not help, you may want to try some new line. I would also think that 1/2" line is an overkill for the size of winch that is probably on your boat. Check out the SBO store and see what they suggest for the proper line size for your boat. I am guessing 3/8".

 

[Tallgrass Sailor]

Thanks for all of the advice guys! I'm thinking I'll try new sheets, probably 3/8". To be honest: I can't tell if my sheets are 1.2 or 7/16 because they are old and worn (came with the boat), I assume the worst. BTW, I have washed them twice to get out the dirt.

THANKS AGAIN,

Brad

 

[Steve Dion]

...but have you given them the "Downey" treatment?

A lot of sailors just soak them in Downey and water.

 

[Ed A]

kkep in mind you have to hold the tail of the rope and keep the wraps tight. some people dont know that.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I agree with Ed. 200 lbs on the tail should be all you need on a 23' boat. Cheap, easy, and quick.

The only time I ever use the winch handle is when I want a very tight main luff for high wind days. That still requires me to tug on the tail as I turn the handle.