Winch use

[Joel]

I purchased a used 87 H23 a few years back but never got it into the water until this year. After spending some time cleaning, fixing and greasing the winches, I now find that I never really use them at all. This might explain why they were almost frozen up when I purchased the boat from the previous owner.The winch on the mast would appear to be used to hoist the main and the jib (I only have the original 110 (or is it a 100)), yet so farthis season, I have not needed the winch to do hoist either.The jib winches have only really been used to loop the sheet around before going to the jam cleat. Once again, have not need to use the winch for any type of mechanical advantage.For my question of the day, for the 110 and main, are these winches merely for show? I can see how the winch would come in handy once a larger jib is used (135 or 150) but does anyone really use them with the smaller sails? Maybe, I just need more wind up here to fully appreciate the winches.

 

[Chip Tobey]

winch assists in mast raising

I too have never used the winches on the gunwales of my '88 H 23 for trimming the jib, but they really come in handy when raising the mast. (Run a line from the end of forestay through a block attached to the bow fitting and back to one of the the winches.) Also, if you ever take a notion to lead halyards aft for singlehanded sailing, they'll come in handy.

 

[Dave Laing s/v WindSong]

Vote Me In

Count my vote. I have never used the gunwale winches on my H-23. I do use the mast winch for hoisting the sail. But Chip is right. It could make single handing easier.

 

[Bill L]

H-23 Does need winches

I race my H-23 Wing Keel and have a 155 Genny. Except for very light days, there is no way to crank in the Genny unless you use the winches. Also use the mast winch to raise the Main and Genny. It really helps to get the main up that last inch or two. This boat has been heavily modified with genoa tracks to accomodate the 155.

 

[mike]

use your winches!

I didn't used to winch anything much until I had a racer on board my boat once who told me the halyards should be tight as piano wire for best sail shape. You should be winching them tight to make the luff cut into the wind like a knife.