My wiches are old and the coatings wore off. I mic'd them and they are still conical. The problem is the lines tangle and overlap with three wraps. I am not sure if the problem is the "grip" or whatever the surface of the winches are called, or not. Any ideas on what to do other than replace the winches (which will happen when and if I ever get a job again.)
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possibly, but
It's possible the lead angles might have something to do with it, but somehow I doubt it. I know when I raise the main using the mast winch that the lead is correct. I've had experienced sailors try it and they too got the lines crossed. How is this possible that is only happens on my boat and not theirs? And that is only happens on some of the winches and not all of them?
It's possible the lead angles might have something to do with it, but somehow I doubt it. I know when I raise the main using the mast winch that the lead is correct. I've had experienced sailors try it and they too got the lines crossed. How is this possible that is only happens on my boat and not theirs? And that is only happens on some of the winches and not all of them?
Tangle/overlap
Another possibility is not keeping the line taught. The only times I have trouble with tangling or overlapping the lines on the winches is when I am too slow in making a tack and the sheet becomes too slack, usually occurs with someone new on board, or when sailing downwind and the jib or genoa starts flapping around. If I keep sheeting steady and taught, I don't seem to have any problems.
Another possibility is not keeping the line taught. The only times I have trouble with tangling or overlapping the lines on the winches is when I am too slow in making a tack and the sheet becomes too slack, usually occurs with someone new on board, or when sailing downwind and the jib or genoa starts flapping around. If I keep sheeting steady and taught, I don't seem to have any problems.
Tom
I'll venture a guess. Without being there, that's all I can do. Because your winch is mounted on the mast doesn't mean you have a proper angle. The sheet or halyard likes to come to the winch from below the plane of the winch. Five to fifteen degrees is good. Another factor is the line size and the number of wraps placed on the winch. And when those wraps are made in relation to the amount of line still needing to be moved. But with rope, it's still all about angle. I don't have a winch on my mast now, but in this picture of my old reefing winch pad, you can see the angle that it held the winch to. The lines for reefing come from the front of the gooseneck. This is now just a step for reaching the headboard.
I'll venture a guess. Without being there, that's all I can do. Because your winch is mounted on the mast doesn't mean you have a proper angle. The sheet or halyard likes to come to the winch from below the plane of the winch. Five to fifteen degrees is good. Another factor is the line size and the number of wraps placed on the winch. And when those wraps are made in relation to the amount of line still needing to be moved. But with rope, it's still all about angle. I don't have a winch on my mast now, but in this picture of my old reefing winch pad, you can see the angle that it held the winch to. The lines for reefing come from the front of the gooseneck. This is now just a step for reaching the headboard.
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