A little background info first. I have a Hunter 280 that I enjoy flying an A-kite on occasion. There are no coaming winches but there is a place reserved for them. In the past, I've run the sheets for the kite through blocks at the stern then forward to the existing winches on the cabin top. That works OK with one exception. The sheets take a very irritating route from the stern quarters to the winches and require more sheet than would otherwise be needed. My thinking is to install something in the space reserved for coaming winches.
Obviously, I could install winches but at over $1K for a ST pair, not too keen on that. Other alternatives are:
Obviously, I could install winches but at over $1K for a ST pair, not too keen on that. Other alternatives are:
- Standard winches - cheaper but requires additional hardware for tailing/fixing
- Horn cleats - Don't think they are viable
- Cam cleats - A possibility but lose the mechanical advantage of winches
- Turning blocks/fairleads to route sheets around the cockpit to the existing winches - Doable I suppose :neutral:
- Other?