Winchers?

[Harry]

Our new (used) Cat 30 does not have self tailing winches for the genny. It would not be a problem except for my wife immediately falls asleep at the sound of rustling water and the warm sunlight.....so I'm left to single hand a good portion of the time...Would be easier if I had three hands - one for the wheel, one to crank, one to tail.....Not pumped about forking out $1500 for self tailers.Gonna give winchers (those blue rubber disks) a try - has anyone tried them on a boat this size???Any other single handing C-30 tips??TIAHarry

 

[Todd Osborne]

Mee too!

My wife does the same & enjoys naping while we are under sail. Although she is occasionally annoyed by all the movement/noise I make while single-handing....I manage tacking/Jibing bylocking the wheel straight using friction knob (assuming you have a wheel) Just after changing course. Then Winch in the jib sheet. I find I can tail with one hand & grind with the other.Good luck! If all else fails, you could probably install an autopilot to steer cheaper than replacing winches. But I'm curious how the add-on self-tailers work.

 

[Gary Jensen]

rubber additions

They work,but not like self tailers. I had them for five years and sold the boat...Put them in hot water so as to get them on.