Bi-directional winch for genoa furler.

sarabande

sarabande

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Inflamed tendons in both hands mean that gripping the continuous furling line is not with fully guaranteed success, especially if there is heavy load from a full genoa. (Yes, I know how to steer into the wind.... :) )

It would be handy therefore to have the furling line lead round a winch which could be wound IN or OUT using standard winch handle.

No need for ratchet or gears or self-tailing grippy thing therefore, just a long handle to multiply the arm force to control the (tensioned) furler line .


Can I find a small simple winch ? Can I heck ! Suggestions please :)
 
Why do you need to winch it out. You just release the line a bit on the winch & sheet the genoa in or just let the wind fill it.
Many will say that you should not winch a furling line in, but like you I see no point in hurting my hands & one does not have to be stupid when winching. However, I would not need a winch to let it out because I winch on the sheet.

Re reading your post i wonder if you are referring to a continuous line for something like a furling chute. That would be a different kettle of fish, but a chute is a much lighter cloth & should furl easier.
 
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There are actually 2 (at least) reversing winches on the market.

Harken's Rewind
Lewmar's REVO

Both are electrically powered however, and both require that there is load on the line to work in the reverse direction, they're not simply dual-direction powered.
Actually, a powered capstan (as intended on power yachts for mooring line handling), would probably work really well in this application, but would need hand-tailing of course.

In Superyacht scale, there are of course properly reverse-powered winches, but not relevant for this I'm sure :)
 
sarabande said:
Inflamed tendons in both hands mean that gripping the continuous furling line is not with fully guaranteed success, especially if there is heavy load from a full genoa. (Yes, I know how to steer into the wind.... :) )

It would be handy therefore to have the furling line lead round a winch which could be wound IN or OUT using standard winch handle.

No need for ratchet or gears or self-tailing grippy thing therefore, just a long handle to multiply the arm force to control the (tensioned) furler line .


Can I find a small simple winch ? Can I heck ! Suggestions please :)
Click to expand...

Inmast furlers sometimes have similar on the mast below the boom
 
The OP states "continous furling line" and "full Genoa", so i'm guessing a Sailspar furler ?

If so, something like a Lewmar 16 self tailer with the pawls removed would be a good choice. You would need to keep the line taght, but that's not difficult with a small block on a line. I find it works much easier with the continuous line under a little tension, i have a small block an a length of 10mm braid on braid that keeps mine under light tention.
 
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Not directly relevant and I'm sure the OP knows this anyway, but rather than turning into the wind to furl a wildly flapping genoa, why not turn downwind and blanket the genny with the main, allowing easy furling with no drama.

- W
 
Careful! With a thread title like that, you'll have Birdseye reporting you to the Mods! ;)

I believe there is, or used to be, a type of winch specifically for winding a reefing line both in and out (the line coils round the winch as you furl the sail), but I've never examined one in the flesh. See the pic of the aft deck on this LM30: https://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/lm30/lm30.htm

Don't know if that's any use to you, but if anyone knows what they're called, or who makes (made?) them, please do let me know.
 
The smaller winches might be suitable if pawls are removed from the base of the drum. Easy. More difficult is to get the drive section at the top to constantly be connected to the drum. You could try making a slot in the drive part so that you can fit a backward pawl. Or simply try to glue the whole thing together. Perhaps the latter worth the first try.
I have always wondered why a powered furler is not more popular. Probably available but expensive. ol'will
 
I've thought about similar for my Sailspar, though my first move - some day - will be to try a bigger drum. How about having a normal winch and using it on different "sides" of the line?
 
sarabande said:
Inflamed tendons in both hands mean that gripping the continuous furling line is not with fully guaranteed success, especially if there is heavy load from a full genoa. (Yes, I know how to steer into the wind.... :) )

It would be handy therefore to have the furling line lead round a winch which could be wound IN or OUT using standard winch handle.

No need for ratchet or gears or self-tailing grippy thing therefore, just a long handle to multiply the arm force to control the (tensioned) furler line .


Can I find a small simple winch ? Can I heck ! Suggestions please :)
Click to expand...

I have to ask ............ have you sought the opinion of a hand surgeon? "Inflammed tendons" in both hands does not seem a diagnosis I recognise. There are many causes of hand pain and many are eminently treatable once correctly diagnosed.

TudorSailor
 
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