Two speed winches - good idea, or gimmick?

[gandy]

Hi,

Looks like all the makers go to two-speed at the size we'll need. I've only ever used ordinary winches that wind clockwise, and ratchet anti-clockwise. I've a feeling that winding the "wrong" way will be much less comfortable for a right-hander, and less powerful.

So for those with 2 speeders, do you actually use both speeds? Do you get used to winding the wrong way, and do you miss being able to ratchet the handle back to reposition it?

Cheers,

 

[Talbot]

yes I use both, without any reduction in power

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Definitely...... once you've used a two speed, you'll never want to go back....

Saying that... if your loads are light, then its not really an essential feature.....

 

[Otter]

Do you need the two speed on the Catalac? We have a single speed Lewmar 16 on our Heavenly Twins and find it is very hard work in anything F5 or above.

 

[MoodySabre]

For the first season ever I have two-speed self-tailers for my genoa sheets. I don't use the high-speed anti-clockwise hardly at all as it possible to get most of the slack out manually when tacking my Moody 31 and then just grind them in with clockwise slow-speed. I certainly don't miss racheting as you can get to good position easily on the coaming. Self-tailers are just brilliant.
On the roof I have single speed racheting winches for the lines coming back to the cockpit. In that position racheting is very useful as you can't easily get over the winch. I would love to have self-tailers there too one day but haven't even looked to see if you can get racheting self-tailers. Other things to spend money on first!

 

[onenyala]

just luff up and wind in the slack

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you need the two speed on the Catalac? We have a single speed Lewmar 16 on our Heavenly Twins and find it is very hard work in anything F5 or above.

[/ QUOTE ]
I use a large genoa, and the 2 speed 30 means that my wife can also winch in when needed

The clue to your problem is in the last part of your sentence - hard work!

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
just luff up and wind in the slack

[/ QUOTE ]

not quite as simple in a cat. you actually dont want to luff up as that will kill boat speed, I find it better to start at abt 50 degrees to the apparent, and get boat speed up, and then tighten in and get closer to the wind . wave shape, underwater shape and bow design has a big impact on how tight to the wind you can get.

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
For the first season ever I have two-speed self-tailers for my genoa sheets. I don't use the high-speed anti-clockwise hardly at all as it possible to get most of the slack out manually when tacking my Moody 31 and then just grind them in with clockwise slow-speed....

[/ QUOTE ]That's interesting - what type are they? My reading of the Lewmar info suggested that the slow powerful speed was anti-clockwise.

 

[MoodySabre]

Why does doubt creep in when questioned and you can't prove it?
I'm almost certain that anit-clock is high geared and therefore high-speed and clockwise is low-geared (slower).
Yes that's right
Really

 

[Gin]

I'd be lost without two-speed winches- they really are a great benefit

 

[Abigail]

Love two-speed. neither of us are gorillas for winching, and one of us has serious tennis elbow (caused and exacerbated by winching!) so very fond of ours.

On a good deal in a boat jumble, even our main halyard cockpit winch is two speed and that's great.

 

[Otter]

Thanks Talbot.

 

[William_H]

Funny I have had 2 different friends who have bought second hand boats and been sailing for some time not realising they have 2 speed winches. On direct drive, clockwise pull, it is very natural to push the handle back anti clock and think that the low speed action is really a ratchet.
It is necessary to make plenty of room for the handle with hand attached to rotate 360 degrees when on low speed (anti clockwise) but being so much easier it is not a problem going backwards.

Be aware that as the drum gets bigger the power advantage of a usual length handle becomes less if you have single speed (direct drive )winches.(power advantage is the length of the handle in relation to the diameter of the drum) So inevitably for a big drum you need a gear reduction which is in effect most practical with 2 speed. The lower speed is mainly for tight trim you pull in initially by hand using the internal ratchet then go clockwise low speed and finally for that last bit of real tight go anticlockwise low speed. good luck olewill

 

[MoodySabre]

Just realised that your question was re make. They are Lewmar.

 

[Billjratt]

I had 3-speed lewmars on the last boat and I needed them! I suggest that you're worrying too much. I assume you can't try out a friends boat? Go for it - I'm sure you won't regret it and the direction of wind is not a problem, I assure you.

 

[TheBoatman]

I wish you hadn't have said that because up until reading your post I was of the opposite view - now I won't sleep tonight /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Peter.

 

[Guest]

Clockwise - high geared. On Lewmar winches. Mine anyway. At least, I think so! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
I had 3-speed lewmars on the last boat and I needed them! I suggest that you're worrying too much. I assume you can't try out a friends boat? Go for it - I'm sure you won't regret it and the direction of wind is not a problem, I assure you.

[/ QUOTE ] I assume that was really addressed to me. I think you're right, and I'll probably go for Lewmar 28STs next time I see them on special offer.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I don't believe that winding one way or the other is the problem. Winching is a lot easier provided that you get your weight over the top of the winch.

I sometimes take Royal Marines sailing (renowned for their upper body strength and fitness - I should know as I am currently attached to their training centre as part of my job). It amuses me to see them struggle with winching and then despite being twice their age take over and winch enthusiastically by using the correct technique. (OK I did pass Commando Course a while ago so I'm not exactly an eight stone weakling, but its still method over brawn.)

By the way, one of my pet hates is people ratcheting winches back and forth.

Wind it one way or the other is much kinder to the pawls.