Self-tailing winches .....

CPD

CPD

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... allow the use of one hand to winch a rope, whilst both (self and non self tailers) require two hands to safely release a rope. Is that the only advantage compared to non self-tailers ?. And, if you have a vessel fitted with the non self-tailing type then are the conversions (black hoops things that sit on top of the winch) I know to be available worth it ?

I'm not concerned with halyards that might be held in jammers, more with typically, genoa sheet winches.
 
I think the important benefit is that you don't need a second person to tail while you crank. Trying to crank and tail at the same time doesn't work well in my experience - so they save a (deck)hand not just a hand!
 
Self-tailers are much better but also much more expensive(don't ask me where the money goes in the manufacturing,I have been trying to work that out for years!)The rubber rings on top of ordinary winches,usually blue I believe,do make a terrific improvement and are well worth the money compared with shelling out for new self-tailers.
Bill
 
Agree with this. If you're re-equipping, go for ST's on the foresail winches as a minimum - that's where I find they pay off.

Rubber Winchers - had them on my last boat - original winches too good to chuck for ST's. They work just fine. Buy with confidence but get the size right!

PWG
 
I haven't used blue rubber things. You say self-tailers "allow the use of one hand to winch a rope". I think you mean you don't need to tail with the other hand, therefore it is free. The important feature is that it is free to be used on the winch handle. To do that without self-tailers you need a second person.

There is a reason singlehanders use them.

Depends on your type of sailing. If you always go out with crew, there might be no need for them on genoa sheets. If you regularly sail alone or shorthanded, you will appreciate the difference after you get them.
 
"... allow the use of one hand to winch a rope "

If you're single handed on a non selftailing winch, the use of one hand to winch a rope is COMPULSORY, as you need the other to tail it.

When sheeting in a well-loaded genoa, a self-tailer allows you to really get over the top of the winch with both hands on the handle - much easier. And if you've got electric self tailers ...... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
A second advantage is that you do not need to cleat off the sheet once you have finished winching. I know that some will say that you should not rely on the self tailing mechanism to hold the sheet, but in my opinion if it holds it well enough while it is being winched in it is certainly secure enough when static. The only thing to be wary of is that it is possible to accidentally disloge the sheet from the jaws, but an extra turn around the winch with the sheet tail solves this one.
 
We had non ST winches when we bought the boat. After the first season I fitted the rubber Winchers, these help, but they have problems, they are not really self tailing and tend to bind up too many turns under the rubber ring. The biggest problem is that they can be quite awkward to release and if you are in a hurry that is not so good.

As a result and with SWMBOs urging have bought a size bigger STs for this season.

I have removed the old ones, now just need to fit new.

The removed parts will be appearing on the for sale section in due course, but first I would like to,

a)Take photos, and b) Work out how to post them here.
 
I bought those rubber self tailing stick on things and was very sorry I did. Problem was the winch handle could not get properly bedded into the socket because of the extra height added to the winch. So it simply did not work. Maybe one can get a handle with a deeper flange to fit the socket but I never came across one. So for me was pure waste of money.
 
I had the Winchers fitted to my sheet winches (before fitting ST's) and thought they were great. The Wincher only has a small top flange which overlaps the top of the winch by about 10mm, so I'm not sure how your winch handle was obstructed. Maybe you had another make, or perhaps the wrong size. There is, however, no comparison between the Wincher system and proper ST's. Alan Beale in Brightingsea sells Lewmar 28ST for £200 ish.
 
Hi. I fitted those rubber thangs to my non ST's and they made a world of difference! They are not perfect of course and if you simply winch away without any adjustment to the sheet then the loose sheet coming off the winch will wrap itself around the winch. I find that two handed winching with the occasional flick of my left hand to stop this happening is all that is needed. I am quite surprised at the grip they exert on the sheet. There is a groove around the edge of the 'thang' that allows you to make a holding turn and tap the sheet into it. In my experience this holds it fast in all circumstances. When I bought them five years ago it was a stop gap before purchasing ST'ers. However, they have been good enough to allow me to throw money into the hole in the water on other things I needed. ST'ers are still on the shopping list though!!!
 
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