winch-clutch or clutch-winch

Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo

.
Sep 27, 2008
80
Grampian 26 26 Penetang,Ontario
With the boat on the hard and snow covered,time to think about running the lines to the cockpit.
The question is should the clutch be in front of the winch or the other way around.:confused:
The winch would only be used for the main halyard ,jib is on a furler.
At a recent boatshow both setups where used,but the reps didn't know why.
Any insight?
 
M

mitiempo

.
Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
In front. This allows the line to be taken off of the winch so it can be used for another line.

I don't think I have ever seen the winch in front.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

.
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Clutches before winches.

Cleats after winches.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,690
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Pink Flamingo said:
With the boat on the hard and snow covered,time to think about running the lines to the cockpit.
The question is should the clutch be in front of the winch or the other way around.:confused:
The winch would only be used for the main halyard ,jib is on a furler.
At a recent boatshow both setups where used,but the reps didn't know why.
Any insight?
Click to expand
Curious - what boat builder did you see putting the clutch behind a winch?
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

.
Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
clutches ahead of winch

You also want to make sure the clutches are far enough ahead and oriented to allow a straight lead to the winch (pay attention to the side of the winch where the lines are wrapped). Ideally, you don't want more than 10 degree deflection through the clutch.

I have a gang of 4 clutches on each side so I compromise a bit, but I have it set up for the halyards to have the least deflection. You might find clutches for lines that are not intended to be led to the winch ... possible explanation for clutches after winches. For instance, perhaps the vang has 8 to 1 purchase instead of the standard 4 to 1. You could possibly avoid the winch and put a clutch closer to the cockpit.

(don't hang your halyard on the winch like I do - find a more seamanlike method for putting lines away! :redface:)
 

Attachments

Jackdaw

Jackdaw

.
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Scott T-Bird said:
You might find clutches for lines that are not intended to be led to the winch ... possible explanation for clutches after winches. For instance, perhaps the vang has 8 to 1 purchase instead of the standard 4 to 1. You could possibly avoid the winch and put a clutch closer to the cockpit.
Click to expand
Scott,

Maybe, but then that line should be in a CLEAT. If it's in a clutch, you loose all the value of it being reduced to a hand load. In a clutch you have to go to the cabin-top to release it. In particular with the vang, when you need to blow that, you need to blow it NOW. ;^)

A cleat (in particular with a extreme aspect cage) lets you play the line from anywhere aft of the device.
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

.
Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Agreed,

a cleat would be the proper devise after the winch. I suppose it is possible the poster misinterpreted when viewing a cam cleat and called it a clutch. I could also see somebody installing a clutch where a cleat would be better ... somebody like me, except that I read this forum! :D

You actually hit the nail on the head ... where I did have my vang run through the clutch because I used the winch for purchase, I will now improve the purchase on my new vang and install a cleat closer to the cockpit ... freeing up the clutch perhaps for a different purpose.
 
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,318
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Before I installed clutches for my halyards... I had "vee" or "clam" cleats ahead of the winch so I could secure the line while I removed it from the winch drum and secure it to its primary cleat... which was behind the winch at the edge of the house. If you only have a cleat behind the winch, such as you have for jib sheets, then the winch can only be used for one control line. With an additional open vee cleat in front of the winch you can move one halyard off the drum so you can use it for something else.
 
centerline

centerline

.
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
I wonder if the clutch that seems to be mounted "after" the winch is actually mounted in reverse... for a spinnaker sheet coming from a turning block at the stern. which would mean it would need a clutch mounted in front of the winch also...
 
Doc_holiday

Doc_holiday

.
Nov 19, 2011
1,489
MacGregor 26S Hampton, VA
The name of this thread reminded me of a joke.

What's the difference between a skydiver and a golfer?

The golfer goes "whack", "sh!#"

The skydiver goes "sh!#", "Whack!"

Back to our regularly scheduled thread....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom