Easing sheet - proper proceedure?

[estarzinger]

I am curious what the approved RYA method is for easing (not releasing as in a tack, but easing a few inches) a loaded sheet on a winch?

I have been having a debate on an American oriented forum and there seem to be two schools of thought. One is the "ease the tail with your right hand while keeping some pressure on the wraps on the drum with your left hand". The other is "you should only ever ease with one hand (on the tail) and keep your other hand away from the drum).

I am curious both (1) what the 'official RYA' instructed method is? and (2) if there is a difference of opinion among UK sailors, or if you generally agreed on one or the other?

I have a personal preference (two handed) - It's how I was taught and it has always worked for me, but that does not mean there might be another valid opinion/approach.

 

[bbg]

Can't comment on the RYA method, but if I am trying to ease very precisely I tend to use two hands - one on the tail and one on the drum. For a big ease I'll take a wrap off and use one hand.
The comments above really only apply to headsails. With a spinnaker up there is so much rope going in and out that it is one hand only - usually from the other side of the cockpit.

 

[Salty John]

In the dim distant past when I was taught on an RYA registered training boat they insisted on the two hand method. Left hand on drum, right hand to grip the tail.

 

[emsworthy]

Two Hands

Definitely two handed for me.

The amount of easing is controlled by sliding the coils around the winch drum and the tail is there to act as a brake/failsafe. This is also how I would lower someone from the masthead too. (With someone else on the other winch following shortly behind doing likewise.)

One handed seems all a bit remote controlled to me, I like to feel the tension on the drum and adjust accordingly.

 

[Nautorius]

Not sure about RYA way but for me depends on which sail, what size of sail and how much wind (Hence presuure on sheet). I am always nervous about the hand on drum method. I like to use both hands on sheet and ensue left available to lock off sheet when required.

Everyone is different probably. I sailed differently on Sub 40ft yachts to larger yachts....

Paul

 

[Sans Bateau]

Definitely two handed for me.

The amount of easing is controlled by sliding the coils around the winch drum and the tail is there to act as a brake/failsafe. This is also how I would lower someone from the masthead too. (With someone else on the other winch following shortly behind doing likewise.)

One handed seems all a bit remote controlled to me, I like to feel the tension on the drum and adjust accordingly.

Me too.

 

[mikemonty]

I can't think why you would need to keep your hand away from the drum.
The only possible reason is some kind of wooly-minded suspicion that you might get your fingers caught in the turns - how could that happen?
Even if you deliberately fed your fingers into the coils , despite the probably low pressure on your fingers (they are trapped in the low tension end), it would be a simple matter of letting go the sheet,or even one turn, (as your hand would have had to follow the turn round the drum to pick up a second turn) would release your hand.

The technique, I was told, is known as "hamming the winch".

I re-read this and it sounds a bit combative - not intended - "you" should be read as "one"

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Two Hands Are Safer Than One

I am a commercial Yachtmaster Instructor and have been teaching sailing since 1983 in various capacities.

I am not aware of an RYA method for easing sheets although the Competent Crew book does have a sketch of the two handed method. Of course maybe they have one and I am not aware of it.

The technique is to palm the winch turns round the drum but to support the tail with an open hand, palm up, a reasonable distance from the winch. You do not grab the tail and push the sheet while guiding the turns on the drum.

The hand on the winch, palm pressing onto the drum, keeping the fingers flexed slightly away from the rope on the drum. You use the pressure of your palm to pull out turns.

The reason that the tail hand is palm up and open (and the winch hand fingers flexed away) is to prevent your fingers getting pulled into the winch if the dogs pawls (dogs) fail.

If you were holding the tail end of the sheet close to the winch and the pawls (dogs) failed, a persons first reaction might be to pull the back if they are gripping the tail. A loaded genoa is only going one way and your fingers are going with it round the drum.

The old Lewmar 3 speed winches with the button on the top have failed this way.

The reason you tail when feeding out is to stop a riding turn and of course you tail the sheet by leading it onto the top turn from above.

 

[estarzinger]

Boots,

Interesting. Thanks.

The pawl failure is troublesome. I honestly would not want either hand anywhere near the winch if the pawls fail!

 

[jonjo]

One hand if you need the reassurance of an RYA recommended technique.

 

[sea]

Hi, i have huge problems releasing sometimes, had my finger trapped in the cleat many times, so my boat (new to us) is not set up correctly. Are spinlocks advisble? They look like a much easier method of releasing some power, i saw them on a boat we rafted to in Yarmouth and am now on the hunt. Good ones in the chandlery are £70 each. Any advice on this would be very handy!

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Hi, i have huge problems releasing sometimes, had my finger trapped in the cleat many times, so my boat (new to us) is not set up correctly. Are spinlocks advisble? They look like a much easier method of releasing some power, i saw them on a boat we rafted to in Yarmouth and am now on the hunt. Good ones in the chandlery are £70 each. Any advice on this would be very handy!

Are you sure its the boat and not how you are using the equipment! If the winch is loaded properly the force on the cleat should be at a minimum. If tying off a sheet, you should have 4 turns around the winch first. Three would do it if you have thicker lines. Its the 4 turns and the friction on the drum which hold the sheet, not the cleat.

If your winch is a multiple use winch, then a jammer / cam cleat (Spinlok is a manufacturer) is required. Put the jammer on and then remove the rope from the winch. To take tension of the line put the line back on the winch, take up tension, open the jammer and adjust your line. Even in fast spiny drops you take the tension off the jammer using the winch before you drop the line. Having said that the kicker would be released under load if broaching to leeward.

You really need to know what you are doing with heavily loaded lines before you take on any sort of long distance, short handed sailing.

 

[sea]

Its not a major issue and can be released, but i would like more "easy" control over the sail and less blood blisters. It would be nice to be able to release from the helm, exactly for the reason of short handed sailing. I can see the misses struggling with the existing set-up. Think a call to the prev owners would be a nice idea for them and me. Sorry i meant a Spinlock jammer. Just wanted to know if they are any good really.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Its not a major issue and can be released, but i would like more "easy" control over the sail and less blood blisters. It would be nice to be able to release from the helm, exactly for the reason of short handed sailing. I can see the misses struggling with the existing set-up. Think a call to the prev owners would be a nice idea for them and me. Sorry i meant a Spinlock jammer. Just wanted to know if they are any good really.

Jammers release all the power or none, they cant really be used to ease power. Spinnlock is a good make.

 

[lw395]

Generally agree with Blowing old Boots, I would add to that:
Winch pawls rarely fail when easing a sheet, the drum isn't moving them. They are more likely stick in the disengaged position when winching in. A service every year is a good idea!
If you are getting any blisters, blood or other wise, you're not doing it right.
You may need more turns on the winch.
The point of using the palm of your hand on the turns is that if the sheet has been well loaded, it will be gripping the drum and may not instantly move when the tail is released. Moving the upper turns with your hand re-distributes the load between the turns, enabling an inch or two to be eased in pefect control. Holding the tail tight will stop the rope on the winch at any point.
To completely release a sheet, take off a turn, keeping the tail tight,, ease away the tension with the tail, then when the tension is very low, remove the rest of the turns and let the sheet run. You must be able to stop the process at any point.

Most jammers are either on or off. They must not be used to control a rope going out, because they are working on a very small area of the rope, compared with a winch drum. Using them as a brake on a mving halyard will do damage.
Some jammers require the load to be taken off them with a winch before releasing the jammer. The load is then eased away fom the winch as per a sheet. This is the best and most controlled way for highly loaded halyards etc, rather than 'blowing the clutch' with a bang which has a coiled halyard rushing out of control. It seems to be normal to 'blow the clutch' on a spinnaker halyard, but it must be absolutely clear to run out, all the way.

Hope that helps?

 

[john_morris_uk]

I am curious what the approved RYA method is for easing (not releasing as in a tack, but easing a few inches) a loaded sheet on a winch?

In general terms, there is not such thing as 'an official RYA method' for things in yachting. There are seamanlike ways of doing things, and dangerous ways of doing things. but it is a misnomer to think that there is an 'official RYA' way.

Regarding the question about easing sheets, I cannot see what the problem with the two handed method is. If you ease the sheet tail, it doesn't make for a smooth and controlled easing of the load. Easing the turns round the drum with the palm of your hand has always worked for me - and I belive that it is a seamanlike and safe way to achieve the aim. I invariably use my left hand on the drum so that my fingers are nowhere near the loose line coming onto the drum.

 

[snowleopard]

Are spinlocks advisble? They look like a much easier method of releasing some power

As has been said, they don't let you ease, only release. Be aware also that there are two types. The norm for smaller sizes is that you lift the lever and out goes the rope. In larger sizes the norm is to have to winch the rope in slightly while pulling back on the handle - very cumbersome and not a quick-release method which could be dangerous in an emergency. The second type are generally for 16mm line and above so unlikely to be found on a sub 40 footer.

Having a multihull it is vital to be able to release the mainsheet fast. My method is to remove the sheet from the self-tailer, leave 2 turns on the winch (3 in heavy weather) and put the tail in a large dinghy cam cleat. the sheet is led downwards to the cleat in such a way that it will slip upwards out of the jaws under extreme load. My winches are dedicated so I can leave the ropes on them.

The most important thing to remember when easing a rope around a winch is to keep the tail in line with the winch. Too low and you get a riding turn (not the locking sort), too high and you risk a turn flipping off the drum.

 

[snooks]

If you're releasing, either way 1 handed or 2 handed (my preference btw) always release with your little finger towards the winch, not your thumb!

If anything did go wrong and your hand went into the winch little finger first, you can still grip a pint (or anything else) with your finger and thumb, but you can't drink a pint by holding it only with your fingers...Well you can just, but it the use of our opposable thumb that separates humans and primates from the rest of the mammals!

 

[puddock]

Having spent nearly all my working life offshore, I would most definitely go for the 'one hand' method.
The sheet is (presumably) under tension - why put your fingers near the wraps? They are not going anywhere if you are easing the sheet in a controlled manner.
I usually
1) Put a few wraps on the winch.
2) Take tension, using the winch, before releasing the clutch.
3) Gradually ease off the sheet.

Never had any difficulty or problems and no nippy fingers........

I would advise that if you insist on the 2 handed method, that you keep your hand absolutely flush with the circumference of the drum, with your thumb sitting in line with your fngers (as opposed to away - as in beer drinking).

 

[dt4134]

Racing: very definitely use two hands. Use the left hand on the drum to actually ease the sheet out to avoid that 'crack' which shakes the air out of the sails.

Cruising: Two hands is better than one and gives you more control. Can't see where there's any risk on a normal cruising yacht with polyester or dyneema sheets or similar.

Of course I'm occasionally lazy when cruising and use one hand, but you have to be sure you have enough strength to only allow it to go out as far as you want it to go.