Boathook
Well-Known Member
I call that a windlass. A lot of boats still don't have one.
Possibly the language has evolved over the years.
Buying advice. Only two winches?
- Thread starter SimonTurner
- Start date
Possibly the language has evolved over the years.
xyachtdave
Well-Known Member
If I get 5 minutes spare tomorrow I’ll give Harken a call and let them know!
chrisclin
Well-Known Member
I have a Hunter Pilot and have only one winch. Admittedly the boat has a self-tacking Jib but i only ever use the winch for hoisting the main. I was very dubious coming from a boat with 6 winches but it does seem to work.
The only problem I find is that as I don't put the jibsheet round the winch, the only way I can tighten the Jib is by throwing in a tack and pulling in the sheet while the boat is head to wind. However you're talking about having 2 winches - luxury!!!
The only problem I find is that as I don't put the jibsheet round the winch, the only way I can tighten the Jib is by throwing in a tack and pulling in the sheet while the boat is head to wind. However you're talking about having 2 winches - luxury!!!
ProDave
Well-Known Member
We use the port winch for both the main halyard and the jib sheet. Once hoisted the main halyard is clamped in it's clutch and released from the halyard leaving it free for the jib sheet.
The starboard winch is for the spinnaker.
shanemax
Well-Known Member
If you want total freedom to cruise your boat to its maximum enjoyment, have a calm unstressed mind, ditch crawl into places you have never been before, anchor close to shore, take short cuts across sand banks (and the east coast is full of sand banks and hazards) and generally relax then it has to be a bilge keeler or lifting keel otherwise I'm afraid you are stuck in the channel, and never taking your eyes off the chart plotter or depth sounder and will have to spend your nights in some, deep water, mind numbering marina as opposed to rowing distance from some sandy beach, close to shore, and somewhere new.
Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
Just looked at some photos of our old 265, there was a reasonably sized clam cleat fitted on the starboard side with no obvious need so we used that for the cruising chute sheet.
It would have been a joy if those winches were self tailing!
shanemax
Well-Known Member
I have a very large roller head sail but do not find it necessary to use a winch, I mainly cruise and do not need that extra half a knot. I have always managed to use my knee, back and arms to get the sail where I want it and if necessary I can head closer to the wind for a half a second to get the sail in further but in general I never usually have to.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Then you must have a very small boat, or are sailing upwind with a seriously slack sail.
On our 38 footer we also keep close into the wind when tacking to sheet the sail in. But even then with sail slack, needs a really hard winch to get the sheet bar tight. And if breezy, a bit more with some force. Then bear off and sail close to wind at speed.
At least 90% of boats that we overtake going upwind have the genoa sheeted too loose, and often the upper leech is flogging out of sight of the helm. Inefficient and damages sail.
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shanemax
Well-Known Member
Interesting, but tell me who are you to say 90% of others have got it wrong ????
And with regard to the size of my boat, I have a man in the engine room and a man steering !!!
shanemax
Well-Known Member
I have just re-read your bragging. Overtake underlined. Perhaps they are just enjoying themselves and have nothing to prove to theirs egos.
William_H
Well-Known Member
I have to agree with Dunedin when beating to windward a jib needs to be very tight and have the sheeting point (angle) correct regarding size of jib. Even on my tiny boat 21ft I tell people to winch in the jib to the extent possible with winch handle size. Yes I am mostly racing but a well sheeted jib (and tight halyard) means you can relax a bit on the helm instead of chasing every wind shift and still make good headway against the wind. it might just become critical on a lee shore in horrible weather
Comparing your boat's performance to others is not an ego question it is rather the pleasure for the crew of sailing well. ol'will
Comparing your boat's performance to others is not an ego question it is rather the pleasure for the crew of sailing well. ol'will
thinwater
Well-Known Member
I find this a little like the discussion of windlass vs. winch; a language becomes what people mean, and common practice is what people actually do, right or wrong.
Other than of dinghies, nearly everyone winches the jib if they sail in any wind. Yes, it can be done other ways, such as pinching up, sweating a line tight using a pin rail, and just plain manpower, as it was before winches were invented or common. Pinching up a little, for example, will always make it easier.
Other than of dinghies, nearly everyone winches the jib if they sail in any wind. Yes, it can be done other ways, such as pinching up, sweating a line tight using a pin rail, and just plain manpower, as it was before winches were invented or common. Pinching up a little, for example, will always make it easier.
shanemax
Well-Known Member
People who rush around on the water trying to achieve an extra knot or need to prove their boat is faster, worry me. I cruise 30/40 mile distances on occasions, enjoy it if I am achieving a fair average, but certainly do not push the boat and worry that it might go a bit faster. I bought a boat to relax, enjoy the scenery other wise I would have bought a Jet Ski.
As they say "Leave your ego at home" I suppose you are one of the many people each season who tack down an estuary river being a hazard to all other river traffic.
king_clayto
New Member
Simon,
The Hunter cruising yachts sail very well. The hull and keel designs are very good as you would expect from the designer David Thomas. The coachroof and interiors are very well thought out too. The boats have been designed to be very easy to sail, with pretty good performance. The rigs are fractional sloops, mostly with the self tacking jib and a large main. The masts bend nicely to tune the main with backstay tension and the flattening 'reef'. If the popular self tacker is present you will most likely just have two cockpit winches. These are completely adequate and are used for all halyards, kicker, reefing and... the single jib sheet led to the self tacking system through the mast. There is a 2:1 block at the self tacker on the sheet also (ref a post above on the pilot 27 where winch not needed). Trimming the jib normally involves taking off the clutch and adjusting without the winch by hand. If close to the wind, the winch may be needed. All required clutches and cockpit winch are ergonomically just where you want them. If the boat has a genoa instead of the self tacker, you will find the conventional cockpit coaming winches. For the spinnaker/ code zero, sheets are led back to blocks at the pushpit base, mine on a smaller Hunter are hand sheeted. On the Ch32 or 31 you would lead the leeward sheet to a coachroof winch or install separate small winches (size 6). Summary, the lack of winches is a design feature matched to the well thought through rig.
Clay
The Hunter cruising yachts sail very well. The hull and keel designs are very good as you would expect from the designer David Thomas. The coachroof and interiors are very well thought out too. The boats have been designed to be very easy to sail, with pretty good performance. The rigs are fractional sloops, mostly with the self tacking jib and a large main. The masts bend nicely to tune the main with backstay tension and the flattening 'reef'. If the popular self tacker is present you will most likely just have two cockpit winches. These are completely adequate and are used for all halyards, kicker, reefing and... the single jib sheet led to the self tacking system through the mast. There is a 2:1 block at the self tacker on the sheet also (ref a post above on the pilot 27 where winch not needed). Trimming the jib normally involves taking off the clutch and adjusting without the winch by hand. If close to the wind, the winch may be needed. All required clutches and cockpit winch are ergonomically just where you want them. If the boat has a genoa instead of the self tacker, you will find the conventional cockpit coaming winches. For the spinnaker/ code zero, sheets are led back to blocks at the pushpit base, mine on a smaller Hunter are hand sheeted. On the Ch32 or 31 you would lead the leeward sheet to a coachroof winch or install separate small winches (size 6). Summary, the lack of winches is a design feature matched to the well thought through rig.
Clay
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Oh boy, not that one again. I’ll get my pop corn.
PS I do enjoy the skills of tacking upwind, and well setting sails makes the crew more comfortable. Less heeling and pointing higher, so less time spent zig zagging pointlessly.
PPS. Winching the jib in tighter means point higher, so clear the channel quicker
king_clayto
New Member
I should add that the Hunter Association is 15 quid a year and open to prospective buyers. You will find a very respectful forum behind the pay wall, where all input/replies will be constructive and with respect. I recommend joining.
shanemax
Well-Known Member
It is so simple. You leave the estuary entrance. Check your chart plotter, set a course and have an exhilarating 3-4 mile tack, then change course if you feel like it, check the chart plotter again and have another 3-4 mile tack adjusting and tweaking sails to their total efficiency.Oh boy, not that one again. I’ll get my pop corn.
PS I do enjoy the skills of tacking upwind, and well setting sails makes the crew more comfortable. Less heeling and pointing higher, so less time spent zig zagging pointlessly.
PPS. Winching the jib in tighter means point higher, so clear the channel quicker
That is true sailing without being a hazard/nuisance to everyone else on the water. How many times have I had to slow down, speed up, change course or take some sort of avoiding action because 'superman' decides to tack down a narrow channel.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Not tried sailing up to the top of Loch Fyne then? It's never a reach.
Shaz77
Well-Known Member
I try not to sail in large ponds. I belong to an American forum and there are a lot on there call the great lakes ponds.Not tried sailing up to the top of Loch Fyne then? It's never a reach.
Leslie frank
Well-Known Member
I would agree with those who are in favour of the British Hunter. We had a 23 horizon and it sailed beautifully. My only regret is that we were too scared to dry it out and explore those spots that I can't now get to in a deep draught boat.