Self tailing winches

[hugh_nightingale]

Is there anyone out there who might know how to adjust the grip of a self-tailing winch.
It seems to be about as wide as it will go at the moment so the sheet only just wedges in the bottom.

 

[philip_stevens]

I know my sheets only just go into the gap of my ST winches, though when there is weight on the sheets, they pull right in.

From what I can remember of my (Barlow) ST winches, I cannot see any way of making the gap wider. Perhaps the only answers are to either, cheaply, get a slightly smaller diameter sheet size or expensively, bigger ST winches.

regards,
Philip

 

[hugh_nightingale]

Sorry, my fault, probably didn't make things clear.

I need to make the gap more narrow so that the sheet experiences at least some grip. It falls to the bottom of what is effectively a secondary drum. Could buy larger sheets I suppose.

 

[tome]

ST winches are made to take a specific range of rope diameters so you'll need to change the sheets/halyards to suit. There's no adjustment in the winch.

 

[Roberto]

There are some winches allowing the width of the grip to be adjusted, I remember having spent a week using them like normal winches and always tying the rope to a cleat, until when the owner showed that pushing the head of the winch vertically from above there was a lock which set the width to a few mm narrower, enough to use them with thinner sheets. It is actually the above half of the sheave that is adjusted.
Can't remember the brand, but worth a try...

 

[VMALLOWS]

My Barlow STs (can't remeber the Barlow designation, but equivalent to '40' Lewmars) can be adjusted for rope size by the way you assemble the top part. It gives a range of about 10mm-14mm. Suggest you post what make/type/size of winch for more assistance

 

[AndrewB]

Like Philip I have Barlow winches, and there is a spacer which can be fitted between the ST jaws to increase the width. (If not in use, it fits beneath the lower jaw). Maybe you have something similar already fitted? Or would it be possible to shave off the inner ring of the jaws a little, to bring them closer together?

How large are your sheets? Typical primary winches are designed to take sheets in the 10-14mm range. Smaller than 10mm is uncomfortable to handle.

 

[philip_stevens]

That's interesting about the ring. I'll have a better look at mine on Saturday. Maybe mine is not fitted and it would be better if I could increase the jaws width.


regards,
Philip

 

[hugh_nightingale]

Winches are Harken, 2 speed, size 53.
It looks like you undo a great big straight slot screw buried down the centre of the shaft which I assume then releases the self tailer. There seems to be a couple of Allen headed screws under that which may adjust the jaw settings.

I am sure there was an article in one of the Mags about winch servicing and adjustment.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Harken website

http://www.harken.com/winches/qawinch.php

might be worth a look

 

[hugh_nightingale]

Re: Harken website

Well, how glad I am that you suggested this.
I had already tried their web site but obviously accessed the "wrong" page.
This one is better and gives some basic information.
I had already guessed at the way to change the stripper arm position.

More importantly it gave the telephone number for Harken uk.
OK, its slightly wrong and should be 01590 689122.

A quick call just, and its gone 5:30, and a VERY helpful answer.
It appears on this age of winch it can be adjusted by pressing down on the top flange and rotating to one of possibly three positions.

I will try to do this tommorrow and let you all know the outcome.
Thanks for replies.
Hugh

 

[hugh_nightingale]

Thanks to everyone.

As suggested by Roberto and then the Harken site, the top jaw can be adjusted by pushing down (it is sprung UP) and turning. I could find only two positions, not the three advised, and not a lot of difference. Note, because it is sprung up there is no spring action of the top jaw downwards so that when the sheet is pulled into it there appears to be no grip other than the wedge between the now fixed jaws. I've tried rotating the stripper to a new position but the rope still easily falls out of the jaws.

I haven't given up yet.

Hugh