Questionaire for ALL SAILORS for my design project

In expanded answer to the last question - yes, I find it useful to have one winch handle per winch. Therefore, I do - there is a pocket either side of the companionway for the coachroof winches, and a pocket next to each of the sheet winches, and each pocket has a handle in. Holt Allen do perfectly good basic winch handles for under £20, so there's no need to be stingy with them.

Pete
 
I sail a few different boats, so answers a bit composite.
People do lose handles overboard, that's how I acquired the floating one....
 
I have a two handles and two winches but only ever use one at a time, transferring it each time I tack. So it is more accurate to say I have one handle and a spare rather than how prv does it. But then he is modern and has 'pockets'!
 
I have Murray winches made in New Zealand 4 in cockpit 2 for staysail 2 for jib. two on mainmast for halyards, one on boom for reefing/ clew outhaul. Latter 3 are used in conjunction with Spinlock clutches so used for several different lines, Naida is a gaff ketch. The winches are all bottom action so handles are left permanently in place as they are out of the way, they are not especially high tech but strong and rugged. I have used top action on other boats I have found them awkward and cumbersome compared to bottom action. But it's what one gets used to I expect.
 
We have two pockets and two handles in use at any time. The longer handle does for both jib sheets and the smaller is used for the halyards etc, where it is more manageable, under the sprayhood. Only one sheet winch is in use at any one time, so I don't need two sheet winch-handles.

BTW, that was a mercifully short questionnaire, so I was happy to oblige.
 
johnalison said:
We have two pockets and two handles in use at any time. The longer handle does for both jib sheets and the smaller is used for the halyards etc, where it is more manageable, under the sprayhood. Only one sheet winch is in use at any one time, so I don't need two sheet winch-handles.

BTW, that was a mercifully short questionnaire, so I was happy to oblige.
Click to expand...

I would agree with above re different length handles in various positions.

My winches are efficient but i upgraded them as the manufactures fitted standard was too small. I think all manufactures fit one size too small
saves money and do all their testing with "young sailing gorillas " not old desk jockeys " who are their customers.
 
tillergirl said:
I have a two handles and two winches but only ever use one at a time, transferring it each time I tack. So it is more accurate to say I have one handle and a spare rather than how prv does it. But then he is modern and has 'pockets'!
Click to expand...

:)

I only fitted the pockets this season, when I saw Force 4 were selling them off cheap (they were ex Shamrock stock so not in the Force 4 inventory). Before then, there used to be a handle or two floating randomly around the cockpit and never to hand when needed. Quite often we would tack, the handle previously used on the leeward side would slide off the seat into the footwell, and at about the same moment the person on the new leeward winch would remember they needed a handle and start diving towards the helmsman's feet. Nowadays there is always a handle to hand, plus a spare in a locker below just in case one day some thieving git removes all five on deck.

On Kindred Spirit, by contrast, there were four winches and no winch handles - with purchases on all the halyards and a cutter foretriangle meaning smaller sails, all the loads could be handled directly without using the winches.

Pete
 
similar to others - we have 4 winches in cockpit and 2 on each mast. Same winch handles fit all.

Winch handle pockets:
1 in cockpit
1 on each mast

we have a pile of winch handles! 3 always on deck in the pockets. Never leave a handle in the winch - we aren't racing. Spares below.
 
ChattingLil said:
similar to others - we have 4 winches in cockpit and 2 on each mast. Same winch handles fit all.

Winch handle pockets:
1 in cockpit
1 on each mast

we have a pile of winch handles! 3 always on deck in the pockets. Never leave a handle in the winch - we aren't racing. Spares below.
Click to expand...

Each mast! Cool and subtle :)
 
We have 8 cockpit winches plus 5 serving the mast. Heaven knows why the previous owner wanted so many, on a mere 38' cruising yacht. Winch, anyone?
 
7 sailing winches plus a deck mounted centerboard winch.

I have one long handle for the primary genoa winches which gets swapped and two shorter handles for the rest. I suppose I should really get another long one as a spare but I rarely get involved in tacking duels. my kind of sailing is more " Hmm maybe we will need to tack tomorrow if the wind shifts. "
 
We have 10 inch handles in pockets each side for genoa winches. These are used for halyard winches if the hood is down but on occasion they can be too long, in which case we use an 8 inch handle that is kept in a cockpit locker. This is a simple fixed one as it is also used for the water filler cap. The 10 inch ones have a lock-in device that will not fit the water filler. We also keep a spare 8 inch one below.
 
My winch handles are part of the winches. For most of my sailing I can tension the sheets without them. Just one of the joys of a smaller boat. I only really need to use the handles if it's blowing a bit. Well, a lot, actually.
 
sailor211 said:
...

My winches are efficient but i upgraded them as the manufactures fitted standard was too small. I think all manufactures fit one size too small
saves money and do all their testing with "young sailing gorillas " not old desk jockeys " who are their customers.
Click to expand...

What's the ideal power ratio for a new boat that's going to be raced around the cans by a fit 6 man crew could be different from what I want when I buy the boat ten years later to cruise with SWMBO.
It would be nice if winches could be changed more easily/cheaply, or perhaps even possible to change the gear ratios?
 
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