Small yacht upgrades

[Alan_B]

Hi all,

With racing season rapidly approaching I'm planning a few upgrades to my wee hunter europa.

On the list is spinnaker (plus all the required hardware)
Run all halyards back to the cockpit rather than on the mast

And now what has caught my eye are snubbing winches. Are they any good? Being a small boat there aren't excessive loads when beating / sheeting in, in fact the genoa sheets are currently held with cam cleats, which I am not fond of. Would a snubbing winch and one of the cleats that you put one turn round be a better solution?

With only having a total of 2 people on board simplicity is key, but it needs to work well. There are no need for winches and a gorilla on the handle as we can can cope as is, it's just not very pleasant.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Kelpie]

What about a clew block to give 2:1 purchase? Mind yer head, though...

 

[Alan_B]

Being relatively new to boats which have bits of rag to make you go . . . Care to explain more? I can visualise what you mean, but where do you attach the end of the sheet to then? Or am I being dumb?

 

[mrming]

On my 23 footer I have small winches and jam cleats (I think those are what you're talking about). The winches are good but I don't actually like the cleats - I would prefer a cam cleat mounted on a raised block so it cleats the line where it naturally leads out of the winch.

I wouldn't bother with 2:1 as described above - when racing you want to get the jib in quick and adding a purchase is going to make it half as quick.

 

[prv]

Have you considered using a ratchet block like some bigger dinghies do? That would act similarly to a snubbing winch but be easier to fit.

Pete

 

[onesea]

I would leave the main halyard at the mast, as it will keep the cockpit clear of string and on that size boat its only one step to the mast. This also means less friction and gear when reefing just up to mast reef and back although I would bring kicker and cunningham back.

There is no need for jib halyard to come back to mast if it is roller furling. Again more sting in cockpit. If its deck hoisted 2 up racing it might help so one can control the drop.

The spinnaker I would bring back so the helm can hoist and crew can drop.

As for sheet winches (snubber winches) I would say yes, handy and quick. A handle might not be required but may come in useful once in a whilst (lifting a stubborn anchor). Also good when trimming a spinnaker less tiring trimming round a winch.