Winches near helm on 320

[Tom Parrent]

I've got a 320 that I single hand a lot and I find that I am always using the autopilot so I can adjust the jib sheet by standing in front of the pedestal. It would be a lot easier (and more enjoyable) if the jib sheets came back to winches near the helm. Has anyone installed the spinnaker winches? Seems like those are in a decent location except that the jib sheets would have to be led back differently.Also, the mainsheet shares a winch with the port jib sheet. This is inconventient and leads me to compromise on my trim rather than switching sheets on the winch. Why doesn't the main sheet come down on one side of the arch? It would take a lot less line, be directly accessible to the helm and not have to be lead through all those turning blocks. Am I missing something here?Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Bruce Grant]

Mainsheet

If you have to use the winch to adjust the mainsheet, you have a big problem.I would investigate the rig setup, you shouldn't need the winch for the mainsheet (halyard, yes).I have been out in winds up to 25 with full main and can still adjust the main by hand.No info on the spin winches, don't have them.Regards.Bruce.Neon Moon

 

[Faye]

Furling Main

We don't have that problem either. Can handle mainsheet without the winch.

 

[Wally Boggus]

I'm still playing with the jib myself....

trying different techniques...like presetting the cabin winch and/or spinblock for the next tack. I found that I can snap the sheet to release the leeward spinblock and hank in the jib sheet on the new tack thru the preset winch all from the helm. Once on the new tack then I go foward and preset for the next tack. With a little more practice I may feel better about it. I was eying the jib sheet run for the spinnaker winch locations myself and it appears to me that there would be sufficient cabin clearance for the sheets as the spool on the lewmar 30's is about 3" off the deck.

 

[Tom Parrent]

Wally - let me know if you try this

I'd be real interested to see how it works out. How about the mainsheet? I've thought about adding a cam cleat on the cabin top that I could pop from the helm. That seems the simplest way.

 

[Wally Boggus]

Main

Tom, with respect to the mainsheet that is not something I worry a lot with. I find that I can trim the main good enough for cruising just using the traveler. That said, however, if on a close haul I will go forward and yank her home. The mainsheet was not accessible from the helm on my prior boat either so I guess I just never worried much about it. As far as using the winch for the mainsheet, like Bruce, et. al., I find it easy to adjust by hand.

 

[Don Curt]

Same issue on 336

I have exactly the problems described on my 336. With my prior boat (Catalina) I had the main sheet at the helm and didn't need a winch. On the 336 my wife just threw her back out winching in the main since I can't let go of the wheel long enough (no brake, my other problem)I do have spinaker winches and have led the sheet aft. Unfortunately two problems, line goes right across cockpit, and spiniker winches have a smaller self tailing head... sheet doesn't fit well.Still looking for a solution. By the way, no way I can sheet in main without the winches.