I'm contemplating the location/relocation of winches aboard my ketch. I have the serviceable, but weathered and ancient, stock Lewmar 42 non-self tailers, in their original location (they need backing plates); and a pair of like-new 48ST's, that I picked up on Craigslist (upgraded by a wealthy racer type).
How would you locate them if you were me? I will be sailing without much, if any, experienced help most of the time. I'm wondering whether it makes more sense to place the self tailers aft, close to the helm, and to leave the secondary winches and their cleats where they stand; or would it be better to switch the old winches to the aft service and put the STs forward?
Lewmar recommends mounting the ST winches so their gears are "aimed" at the main load. Should I point them aft, toward the deck-mounted blocks where the jib sheets are routed through?
One complication is that I have a double lifeline and the lower line will interfere with a winch in the aft location because the wire cuts the corner from the stanchion at the front of the cockpit to the stern pulpit. I'll have to modify the lifelines so there's only a single upper line adjacent to the helm if I want to place winches there.
I haven't contemplated the main sheet winch yet.
One big reason to keep your primaries in their original location is the angle of the sheet feed. As you move them back, the angle from the aft turning block gets lower and lower. I suspect this will cause a problem on how the line wraps on the drum. Somewhere on Lewmar's web site is a recommendation of feed angles. If the angle falls outside the recommended value, you would have to add an angled base block further complicating your mounting options. Other mounting areas are further limited as you mentioned by the swing radius of the handle.
As for adding a secondary set of winches, unless you are going to race the boat, and are looking to prerig the spinnaker sheet and guy, I can't imagine any use for them. If racing is your reason, you would have to replace your existing turning cheek blocks with double deck units for the kite strings to feed the secondaries.
The main sheet winch is a number 16. For the most part I have found that it is up to the job. It would be nice to have a self-tailer there, however you then loose the 2 speed option unless you up size to a number 30. I know Garner went with a #30 on his boat, but he has the cutter version and the mainsail is larger due to the taller stick and probably warrants the larger winch for the increased loads. If anything on the ketch rig, one could change out the double block on the boom to a double with a becket, and change the starboard pad eye to another spring loaded single stand up block like the other two. This would increase the power of the mainsheet by an additional purchase, minimizing the need for an expensive winch upgrade.
Dale
I just installed a new wenches above the cubby holes on my ketch. I had to also install another set block on the aft ends of the tracks to keep the sheets from chafing against the mizzen shroud turnbuckles.
I replaced my main sheet winch with a two speed self tailing Barient 19, and moved it back to a better position, plus installed a rope clutch. Currently everything is usable but, looking for SS backing plates instead of fender washers.
http://slokat.com/Wind%20Tamer/pics/MainSheetWinch.jpg
http://slokat.com/Wind%20Tamer/pics/WinchClutchBolts.jpg