Thanks for that. But the winch is bolted down. If I moved it out too much the winch-man would have to kneel on the cockpit seat.Would suggest you align the clutches central to the winch. If the winch is not already bolted down, consider moving that a bit further outboard first.
I have two Spinlock XTS/3 clutches.Consider also whether it's only the 3 clutches you need to think about?
You may want either more clutches there. or lines running past the clutches direct from winch to mastfoot blocks, I've sailed a boat where the reefing lines did that, also things like pole foreguy.
Winch makers and clutch makers may give data?
Would suggest you align the clutches central to the winch.
Either stuffed into halyard bags like that, or dumped down the companionway. Don't coil them in case you need to drop them quickly, such as in the 'unlikely event' of catching pot-buoy line on your rudder, which will swing your boat stern to wind, making dropping the mainsail difficult or impossible, thus causing severe stress to your rudder stock. Of course if you have a furling headsail that halyard can remain coiled.Thanks for that. But the winch is bolted down. If I moved it out too much the winch-man would have to kneel on the cockpit seat.
Another thing I'll have to consider is where to put the halyard tails? Is this the way to go?
There will be three ropes in that particular set of clutches, one of them, preferably the central one, will meet the winch at a tangent, the other two will make shallow angles. Of course the further away from the winch the clutch is installed the less this angle will be, with less consequent friction and chafe.I disagree. The rope does not meet the winch at its centre.
The natural line of the rope out of the clutch should make a tangent with the left-hand (in this view) edge of the winch drum.
Pete
There will be three ropes in that particular set of clutches, one of them, preferably the central one, will meet the winch at a tangent, the other two will make shallow angles.
That will become obvious to the OP as soon as he begins to take practical steps.Yes, of course. But lining them up with the middle of the winch as Tranona suggested would work against that.
Pete
I disgree. Stuffing ropes anywhere is not the way to go. Coil the ropes & hang them neatly. When you need to let them off the coils are neat to hand & can be fed out at whatever speed required. Leaving them tangled is a recipe for getting a knot in the line & is just lazy sailing.Either stuffed into halyard bags like that, or dumped down the companionway. Don't coil them in case you need to drop them quickly, such as in the 'unlikely event' of catching pot-buoy line on your rudder, which will swing your boat stern to wind, making dropping the mainsail difficult or impossible, thus causing severe stress to your rudder stock. Of course if you have a furling headsail that halyard can remain coiled.
Agree that is an excellent guide. And also raises the thing I wondered about - do the clutches need to be raised slightly to give the correct run onto the winch?
Maybe it's just me but doesn't that resource show the winch fed from two different sides., ?
Main halyardI have two Spinlock XTS/3 clutches.
I've only ever sailed socially so you mustn't get too technical
Yep. Well spotted!Maybe it's just me but doesn't that resource show the winch fed from two different sides., ?