Self tailing winch 'arms' possibly odd positioning

[macd]

It's called a "feeder arm" (Lewmar), or "self-tailing arm", (Harken, Andersen), or "pain in the back" (pyrojames).

Harken installation manual:
"Position the self-tailing arm so that the line leaving the winch is led into the cockpit", just as Little Grebe wrote.

Andersen have a slightly different take, recommending that genoa/spinnaker winch arms are positioned inboard, but within an arc 45degrees forward of abeam for starboard winches, 45degrees aft for port winches.

I seem to remember that Lewmar have a slightly different take to both, but their website's so damn clunky it's hard to find out. Definitely inboard, though. I do recall from installing a pair of Lewmars a decade ago that they're very clear that a gear on the base should be orientated in a particular way relative to the incoming sheet, but this has nothing to do with feeder arm position.

 

[nauticalnomad]

Theyre adjustable so you can position them where you want..

 

[macd]

Theyre adjustable so you can position them where you want..

An interesting theory, but one I suspect the OP already knows, which is why he's asking the question.

 

[jbweston]

It's called a "feeder arm" (Lewmar), or "self-tailing arm", (Harken, Andersen), or "pain in the back" (pyrojames).
' ' '
Andersen have a slightly different take, recommending that genoa/spinnaker winch arms are positioned inboard, but within an arc 45degrees forward of abeam for starboard winches, 45degrees aft for port winches.
. . .

My Andersens - the pair for the jib and the smaller pair for mainsheet/kicker and outhaul/reefing - are in the two diferent 45 degree positions you describe. They work fine.

The coamings are sufficiently wide that the arms are set back far enough so that they don't poke the crew in the back. Doesn't stop them sitting back against a coil of cold, wet sheet though . . .

 

[pvb]

My Andersens - the pair for the jib and the smaller pair for mainsheet/kicker and outhaul/reefing - are in the two diferent 45 degree positions you describe. They work fine.

The coamings are sufficiently wide that the arms are set back far enough so that they don't poke the crew in the back. Doesn't stop them sitting back against a coil of cold, wet sheet though . . .

About time you cleaned that teak.

 

[jbweston]

About time you cleaned that teak.

Hmmm. The pic was taken when she was less than a year old.

I never clean the teak - just Boracol it once a year - so it looks different now. It might be heresy but I'd prefer Treadmaster on the deck and cockpit sole. A few years back Nigel Calder had a hard job persuading Malö not to put teak decks on his boat. The yard doesn't have to keep them looking good for years, so they're more interested in the Wow factor then they leave the owners to do the maintenace work. Not that I'm complaining because I do minimal maintenance.

 

[pvb]

Hmmm. The pic was taken when she was less than a year old.

I never clean the teak - just Boracol it once a year - so it looks different now. It might be heresy but I'd prefer Treadmaster on the deck and cockpit sole. A few years back Nigel Calder had a hard job persuading Malö not to put teak decks on his boat. The yard doesn't have to keep them looking good for years, so they're more interested in the Wow factor then they leave the owners to do the maintenace work. Not that I'm complaining because I do minimal maintenance.

I was only joking, and I'm glad to hear you're a Boracol user - the best way of looking after teak. After "caring" for the teak on my HR for about 20 years, I very sensibly chose "faux teak" on my new boat, and I'm very glad I did!