To winch or not to winch?

[damoses1]

I recently bought an O'day 22 and am new to sailing. I noticed my sailboat is not equipped with any winches. Since it will just be myself and my wife controlling the boat, I was considering purchasing some winches.

1. I've noticed other O'day 22 sailboats with winches installed. Which would you recommend? (one speed? Two speed? What is a good ratio for the boat? I can't afford self-tailing)

2. How many winches should I buy? At minimum, can I get away with just two?

3. Which brand is the best bang for the buck?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Joe11688]

I recently bought an O'day 22 and am new to sailing. I noticed my sailboat is not equipped with any winches. Since it will just be myself and my wife controlling the boat, I was considering purchasing some winches.

1. I've noticed other O'day 22 sailboats with winches installed. Which would you recommend? (one speed? Two speed? What is a good ratio for the boat? I can't afford self-tailing)

2. How many winches should I buy? At minimum, can I get away with just two?

3. Which brand is the best bang for the buck?

Thanks in advance for the help!

I would buy two single speed winches and put them on the combings within easy reach of the helmsman. The best and cheapest self tailing is an open clam cleat located directly behind the winch. They're even better and easier than cam cleats, I think. You can buy a winch handle, but you really won't need it. Mine has been collecting dust in the cabin for years. I think that my O'Day 222 came with #13 Barlow winches including one on the mast for both halyards. I don't even know if Barlows are still being made. They were made in Australia. As far as the best bang for the buck goes, I really couldn't tell you. They seem to get big bucks for all of them unless you're lucky enough to find some decent used ones in a marine consignment store somewhere. The O'Day 222s came stock with the winches with track&Cars on the cabin. I was lucky enough to have them left off my new boat when it was being built at the factory so that I could relocate them on the Combings. I think that the clam cleat idea came from a popular boating magazine back in the 1980s called "Small Boat Journal." Some of their modification ideas were very good, and some were not, but I can honestly say that I would do that particular one again if I had to do it over again.
Joe

 

[1977oday22]

My 22 came with 2 standard single speed basic winches. This is my first year on this one but on the other boat I had, about the same size winches, they look to be around 4" size. On the 22 you should be fine w 2.

 

[caguy]

I have 2 winches on my Mac 25 that I hardly ever use. I single sail a lot and it is easier using a cam cleat mounted on a swivel with a fairlead. I usually sail with a genoa and have never had difficulty pulling the sheets taught enough. You can always pinch a little or fall off to make it even easier.
Here is a picture of my setup.