Diy halyard winch

[sailboatmike]

I have one set of winches flanking the companionway. Where are the other two on your .


As it is I don't even really use one of the two I have.

I have Genoa winches on the cockpit combings, we don't use the jib winches much, on occasion when the wind gets up we might use the coach roof winches, more to keep the pressure on the sheet while we get in better position to bring in it on harder. The winch handle rarely comes out

[Ixneigh]

I pulled a muscle in my side yanking on the jib sheets. The winch handle is now mandatory.
Ix

[Tomfoolery]

I didn't like the truckers hitch because it seemed to require the knot in the line itself. It can then be bothersome when lowering the sail unless its undone.

Not going to try to sell you on a trucker's hitch, but there are a few ways to make one. I just put a single twist in the line and loop it back through itself. It all falls apart as soon as I slacken it up. Some versions seem to be more difficult to dismantle. But I only use them to tie loads if I don't have ratchet straps around.

[sailboatmike]

I pulled a muscle in my side yanking on the jib sheets. The winch handle is now mandatory.
Ix

My partner is usually on the jib sheets, she can struggle when the wind blows to get the sheets on hard if going up wind, but she loves sailing and does her best so I try and encourage her, I find the best way is a foot on the cabin bulkhead grab a handful of sheet and get those last few inches on tension using my body weight.

First day of Autumn today, these next 8 to 10 weeks are the best for sailing here as the wind tends to be steadier than in summer (basicly summer sucks for big and shifty winds here). Seems too much heat really upsets the wind, we often get 20knt plus sea breeze coming in at around 5pm during summer due to the big heat difference between the water and the land (we get antarctic water coming up and meeting 90 degree land). Only had the boat out a couple of times this summer as the biggest winds seem to save themselves for the weekends, we only got 2 of the 10 races in of the summer racing season as they dont race the trailer boats when there is a high wind warning (20 to 30 knts)

[Ixneigh]

Sailing in high winds requires good trim. I found I was habitually sailing the jib too loose. I cranked it in till it began to back wind the main and the boat was slightly faster.I've decided to whip my sail trim into shape that's why the halyard tightener. And the winch handle pledge.
Ix