Chad Vicknair
New Orleans, LA
Boat Name: Hope Floats
Model/Year: 1975
Hull No. CTYH66727M76L
Hailing Port: Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans |
 09/11/2006 8:33 AM Pacific Time
what is a self tailing winch? is it worth the extra $'s . thanks, Chad |
Rick
Port Washington, NY
Boat Name: Time Out
Model/Year: 1981
Hull No. 10021
Hailing Port: Port Washington |
09/11/2006 6:09 PM Pacific Time
chad a self tailing winch has a rubber ring around the top that acts as a jam cleat as well as a metal arm that as you winch the sail in pulls or (tails) the line so while winching you only need to worry about spinning the winch handle.
Is it worth it? Well depends on the boat. I think for anything 27 feet or above it is essential especially if you will be sailing short handed.
On a C22?
I wouldnt see the benefit at all, I barely have to use my winch and I sail alone all the time. If you really want to experience the benefits without spending the money, goto westmarine they make something called winch toppers. Which is the rubber piece on top of self tailers as I mentioned above. I have heard some good things about them
Good luck |
Greg Guenther
Belleville, IL
Boat Name: Magnificat
Model/Year: 1970
Hull No. 473
Hailing Port: Belleville, IL |
09/12/2006 4:57 AM Pacific Time
Chad,
Rick is right about the winches. I can't remember ever needing my winches to adjust the jib sheets. With this small vessel, the forces at work don't need the extra leverage for sail trim. I even took the halyard winch off of my mast since it is unnecessary. I have a friend who bought the winch toppers and was quite satisified with them. Save your money.
Greg |
Linda Hoffecker
Lancaster, PA
Boat Name: t/c
Model/Year: '82 Cat 22
Hull No. t/c
Hailing Port: Havre de Grace, MD |
09/12/2006 8:39 AM Pacific Time
What is the proper turn to put on the halyard to winch it up? I, one time, used the winch as I couldn't keep the bow into the wind and had air in my sail and not enough muscle power to raise the main.
The line got so tight, crossing over itself, that I couldn't get it off the winch and had to pry it with a screw driver. At that, it was a tough job. I sure didn't want to have to cut it!
If these rubber toppers work well, maybe one would not have to run the line over itself to keep it from slipping. I sure don't know much about all this fancy lingo and never knew what a self tailing winch was, either.
Thanks.
Linda |
Rick
Port Washington, NY
Boat Name: Time Out
Model/Year: 1981
Hull No. 10021
Hailing Port: Port Washington |
09/12/2006 10:13 PM Pacific Time
Linda,
Rule of thumb for winch wraps 2 minimum, 3 when the wind is high |
PHILIP & SHARON MERLIER
FELLSMERE, FLORIDA
Boat Name: SWIZZLE STICK
Model/Year: 1990 C22
Hull No.
Hailing Port: FELLSMERE, FLORIDA |
09/12/2006 10:58 PM Pacific Time
In regards to self tailing winches: My personal opinion is that they are well worth the extra cost and I will never own a boat without them!! |
Kent Overbeck
Signal Mountain, TN
Boat Name: Leap Frog & FrogZilla
Model/Year: '88 Wing keel / '69 swing
Hull No. 14647 / 185
Hailing Port: Chattanooga, TN |
09/13/2006 3:41 AM Pacific Time
I don't have self tailers on "FrogZilla ", the boat I race, as it takes longer to remove the sheet when tacking with a possibility of snagging when tacking quickly. On "LeapFrog" an '88 wing keel that we cruise on we have the self tailing winches. About 10 years ago Jane wanted self tacking winches after using them on a charter boat in the BVIs. I said that was rediculous and refused to spend the money. She quit sailing. Five years later she said she wanted to start sailing with me again. I immediately, without her asking, bought the selftailers. After using them for a while I regretted not having bought them to begin with. I will definately have them on any boat I cruise. Making sail adjustments is much easier, needing only one hand and not having to fool with cleating and un cleating, especially when solo. Are they necessary, no. Are they nice to have? You bet!!
|
Kent Overbeck
Signal Mountain, TN
Boat Name: Leap Frog & FrogZilla
Model/Year: '88 Wing keel / '69 swing
Hull No. 14647 / 185
Hailing Port: Chattanooga, TN |
09/13/2006 3:41 AM Pacific Time
I don't have self tailers on "FrogZilla ", the boat I race, as it takes longer to remove the sheet when tacking with a possibility of snagging when tacking quickly. On "LeapFrog" an '88 wing keel that we cruise on we have the self tailing winches. About 10 years ago Jane wanted self tacking winches after using them on a charter boat in the BVIs. I said that was rediculous and refused to spend the money. She quit sailing. Five years later she said she wanted to start sailing with me again. I immediately, without her asking, bought the selftailers. After using them for a while I regretted not having bought them to begin with. I will definately have them on any boat I cruise. Making sail adjustments is much easier, needing only one hand and not having to fool with cleating and un cleating, especially when solo. Are they necessary, no. Are they nice to have? You bet!!
|
Ron Norton
Katy, TX
Boat Name: Vela
Model/Year: C22 / 1984
Hull No. 12037
Hailing Port: Katy, TX |
09/13/2006 7:04 AM Pacific Time
I agree with Philip and Sharon. I love self tailing winches, especially when single handing. I just bought a set of used Lewmar 15 ST to put on the C22 I bought last year and just finished some renewing. Ready to hit the water now. |
Greg Baker
Charlotte, NC
Boat Name: Sea Sharp Minor
Model/Year: Catalina 22 - 1984 - Swing Keel
Hull No. 11823
Hailing Port: Lake Norman Sailing Club |
09/13/2006 9:23 AM Pacific Time
More on number of wraps on the winch. I was taught to put on only one wrao until the sail was almost trimmed in order to reduce the possibility of an override. Then to harden up, add two more wraps. The load on the cleat is highly dependant on the number of wraps. For a single wrap, one pound of tension on the sheet will hold about 10 pounds on the sail. But it goes up about 5 times for each additional wrap, so 1 pound on the sheet will hold 250 pounds with 3 wraps. It is also important that the lead of the sheet from the winch to the cleat is fair and does not invite an override. The cleat locations on my boat were impossible to use when I got it. I raised them up on blocks to get a better angle but I am sure they are not as strong either so I insist on 3 turns on the winches.
Back on topic, after using self tailer's on a charter in the BVI, I sure wish I had them on my C22.
Greg Baker |
Artur Piotrowski
Burlington, Ct
Boat Name: Spirit
Model/Year: C22 1986
Hull No. 13485
Hailing Port: Bantam, Ct |
09/13/2006 7:02 PM Pacific Time
Personally, self tailing winches are great. Very helpful when sailing solo or with unexperienced crew. I got my Lewmar 15 ST winches on ebay, never used, almost half the price. Recommended.
"Spirit" #13485 |
Gary
Hayden, ID
Boat Name:
Model/Year: C-22, 1976
Hull No. 5092
Hailing Port: Bayview |
06/16/2007 10:12 PM Pacific Time
Winches are one of those things that when you finally break down and get them, you wonder how you ever did without them. I sailed for a couple of years without winches without much of a problem -- until the wind picked up. How do you sail when it takes two arms just to pull the sheet in?
The problem with standard winches is that it once again takes two hands - one to crank the winch and one to put tension on the tail, otherwise the winch just spins and does nothing.
Bite the bullet and get self tailers. It makes it so much easier and enjoyable.
I got Lewmar 14ST from Mauriprosaling.com for about $360. |
