Would you put a self tailer on the main halyard? Here is the rub. The factory set up is a #16 and has two speeds. A self tailer #16 is only one speed. Is the self tailing feature worth the dismissal of the 2nd grinding speed? Or... does the self tailing feature eliminate the need for the 2nd grinding speed.
Questions, questions...
Dale
Well there is no right or wrong answer, I really like self tailing winches, but I still use wire to rope halyards so it might not be the best choice in my case. If you have all rope it would be nice to stop cranking and not lose tension especially when reefing. Do you know what the ratios of both winches are? Who usually hoists sails? Rope halyards and deal on the self tailer might convince me. ;D
Dale- We switched to a self-tailer and we are very happy with it. We can hand hoist about 2/3 of the way and speed is not an issue, so the single slower speed works just fine. Also, since ours is under the dodger, taking the handle all the way around on the faster speed was nearly impossible anyway, so not a single regret. The same winch serves our main sheet, and again, hand power works most of the time and the more powerful self-tailer is just right for the end game. Hope that is helpful. Jim
Honestly I never even thought of the wire issue and the self tailer. The main halyard is very old but serviceable. When it is finally time to change the halyard I would go all rope.
I agree with Jim, for the most part 2/3rds of so you can hand pull, in fact you can't wrap the winch on the mast more than one wrap or so as it basically overides itself to death until it loads up.
I will look into the ratios and report back. My 15 year old daughter is typically on sail detail but she is more than able and up to the job in normal weather.
This is all very interesting and outside of what I was thinking. I was more focused on being able to let go so to speak and not tail. One hand for yourself kind of thing.
As for the deal, I did indeed. I acquired two #16 chrome self tailers for $300 for the pair off of a J28 that is no longer with us. She was swept out of 18 mile creek west of Buffalo, along with several other boats and the docks she was attached to during the remnants of hurricane Rita a few years ago. The creek became a rushing torrent and out they all went. Once out in the lake the left over tropical depression winds drove the whole mess up on the the nearby beach and little remained.
Thanks for all of the good thoughts.
Dale
I just bought a used Barient 19, 2-speed, self tailing winch to replace the main sheet winch, since my wife has problems using the non self-tailing winch.
Planning on running the line for the topping lift to the same spot as a future project, and installing a pair of rope clutches ahead of the winch.
Our boat had been converted to all rope by a previous owner, but they replaced everything with the same color... slowly changing that in places where multiple sheets congregate.
I find that it helps to have a color to use when the crew of the moment is confused about what to tighten or loosen.
Have already installed a rope clutch for the furling line, that one item makes it so much easier to handle the genoa.
Plus, getting ready to move the two primary winches back further in the cockpit so I can tend them while steering, if it becomes necessary.