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Anyone have plans for a slim cheap halyard winch? Tired of saggy luffs. Regular winches stick out too much and are bulky. Working on a plan right now for simple lever winch made from ss plate and aluminum. Ideally made in a home shop somewhere.
Ix

Have you considered trying a halyard wench? Wouldn't need to be permanently installed.

Ixneigh wrote:Anyone have plans for a slim cheap halyard winch? Tired of saggy luffs. Regular winches stick out too much and are bulky. Working on a plan right now for simple lever winch made from ss plate and aluminum. Ideally made in a home shop somewhere.
Ix

I put a turning block and clam cleat at base of the mast and just use the sheet winch. Added advantage is you can drop the main from the cockpit with lazy jacks without going on deck

I have a rope clutch on the cabin roof, and use the starboard winch to snug it if it needs it. The turning block at the bottom of the mast is just a single block attached to the vang hound to send the halyard starboard just off the deck, with a cheek block screwed to the deck to turn it aft to the clutch.

Not the most elegant, but it came that way, and I haven't seen much need to 'improve' it.

Mine all come back to the cockpit. This actually works well because I can use the winch on the deck.

Down from mast


Make a turn


Back through jam cleats. Here I can use the winch.

RussMT wrote:Mine all come back to the cockpit. This actually works well because I can use the winch on the deck.

Down from mast


Make a turn


Back through jam cleats. Here I can use the winch.

Me too.

Slightly different mechanical set up, but the same concept.

I have the following lines led Aft to the cockpit.

Halyard to raise the main.
Halyard at the front of the mast.
Topping lift.
Daggerboard


Ray

The problem I'm having with the lines led aft is reefing. I don't want the added complexity of downhaul lines etc. As it is I can do it easily from the mast.
Even small wenches weigh at least a hundred pounds. So that's out
Looking at making something using the rope jaw ring from self tailing sheet winches.
Ix

So if i’m hearing you correctly, you just want something to snug up those last couple inches, right?
If you’re going to use a lever concept, maybe mount a cam cleat on the lever arm itself. The lever arm has a forward position and a rearward position. The lever starts in its fwd posn. You pull the halyard as tight as you can first, like normal. Then you pull the lever to its rear position for final snug.
With the cam cleat, you could always pop the halyard loose by lifting the line. Might be hard, but could be done.

With a lever style, it might be difficult to get something that ratchets and continues to tighten other than...a winch

But I thought all Macs had cabin top winches that can double as halyard winches, I certainly have 4 winches on my X

I don't like having lots of lines on the deck. So, nothing on my boat is lead aft.
I have solved this problem with a small tackle and a clam style cleat to grip the line above the mast cleat. Raise the sail and cleat as normal but don't fight it. Place clam cleat tackle and snug down. Recleat halyard. One tackle hooked to mast base does both halyards. The halyard lines need to be in goid shape for this to work. Mine are very worn so I will replace them.
This method avoids having any winch which is bulky and heavy, on the mast. Total cost at retail west marine prices 150.00
Ix

The main halyard is easy to lead aft, just put a block on your vang bail. Its not pretty but it is effective, I was using that system but I'm just about to put a deck organiser on to clean up that part.

Ix,

Before I went to the exercise of running all lines Aft, I used a truckers hitch on the main sail’s halyard. Very effective in getting the main up those last few inches, and cost’s zero.

Ray

NiceAft wrote:Ix,

Before I went to the exercise of running all lines Aft, I used a truckers hitch on the main sail’s halyard. Very effective in getting the main up those last few inches, and cost’s zero.

Ray

And unless I'm mistaken, it's even in the original manual.

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. I replaced the halyards today with brand new 5/16 line and my snugger works well. Should have done that years ago. This little tackle will also help set up the headstay when putting the mast up. I can also use it to lift jerry jugs out of the dinghy. Although for now, using a line over the bow rail works well.
Ix

sailboatmike wrote:But I thought all Macs had cabin top winches that can double as halyard winches, I certainly have 4 winches on my X

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.