Dumb question about winches

[Otter]

This is a really dumb question - how can you tell if a winch is single or double speed? (No it doesn't say it on the winch). When I use the winch handle, turning it one way turns the winch at the same speed as the handle, push the handle the other way and it takes more turns of the winch handle to rotate the winch. But don't all winches do this - or are the winches 2 speed?

Thanks for your help.

 

[sarabande]

Sounds just like a standard 2 speed winch to me.

One way, it's one turn of the handle to one turn of the barrel (that's 1:1). The other way it will be n turns of the handle to 1 turn of the barrel (that's n:1)

 

[temptress]

[ QUOTE ]
..... But don't all winches do this - or are the winches 2 speed?

...

[/ QUOTE ]

NO!

some winhes are single speed, some 2, some 3 and a few 4 or more. However if you sail boats generally under 50ft them MOST winches will be either 1 or 2 speed.

 

[Otter]

Sorry - does that mean that these particular winches are 2 speed as sarabande says? Or not?

 

[widgeon]

They are definitely not single speed and almost certainly two speed unless there is a button somewhere on the winch to change to three (or four) speed.

 

[stevebirch2002]

2 Speed

 

[Otter]

That's 3 unequivocal votes for 2 speed (no button on winch). I can list them on the for sale section now!

Thanks - Simon

 

[Dipper]

Just for completeness, the drum on a single speed winch turns if the handle is turned one way but if the handle is turned the other way the winch drum stays still (and the handle just clicks back on the ratchets like a socket wrench handle).

Single speed winches are common on very small yachts as jib sheet winches and are often found on small to medium sized yachts on the coachroof where they are used as halyard winches.

 

[RobBrown]

Or on the mast (as mine are)!

 

[William_H]

Yes they are definitely 2 speed good luck with the sale thye should have number denoting the model and of course describe them by makers name. You might also describe them by diameter of the section the rope goes onto. And of course if they have self tailing fascility like a n apparatus on top to strip the rope off the barrel and a gripping section on top. They cost real dollars when new. good luck olewill