Why don't they make longer winch handles ?

[blackdogsailing]

Whilst grinding our 150% genoa in the other day (for about the 6th time that afternoon) I was wondering why no one makes a winch handle with a longer arm for extra leverage. There is plenty of space for it on the boat and I cannot believe the extra engineering would significantly add to the cost. I have one with the double handle so 2 people can use it at the same time but the arms length is identical to a single.
There is probably going to be an embarrassingly simple answer but I can't see it !
Chris

 

[johnphilip]

Arm length? Gorilla crew then required.

 

[knuterikt]

Whilst grinding our 150% genoa in the other day (for about the 6th time that afternoon) I was wondering why no one makes a winch handle with a longer arm for extra leverage. There is plenty of space for it on the boat and I cannot believe the extra engineering would significantly add to the cost. I have one with the double handle so 2 people can use it at the same time but the arms length is identical to a single.
There is probably going to be an embarrassingly simple answer but I can't see it !
Chris

How long do you want it to be?
20 cm and 25 cm is "standard" lengths.

 

[30boat]

I remember seing longer winch handles for sale a few years ago.

 

[[3889]]

Coz there's more £££ to be made in selling larger winches?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Whilst grinding our 150% genoa in the other day (for about the 6th time that afternoon) I was wondering why no one makes a winch handle with a longer arm for extra leverage. There is plenty of space for it on the boat and I cannot believe the extra engineering would significantly add to the cost. I have one with the double handle so 2 people can use it at the same time but the arms length is identical to a single.
There is probably going to be an embarrassingly simple answer but I can't see it !
Chris

I went up from 8" to 10" this year (because there was a bloke at the Scottish Boat Jumble selling brand new Holt-Allen ones at fifteen quid) and it made a huge improvement. I'd like to go to 12", but nobody seems to make them and there isn't room anyway.

 

[lustyd]

I went up from 8" to 10" this year (because there was a bloke at the Scottish Boat Jumble selling brand new Holt-Allen ones at fifteen quid) and it made a huge improvement. I'd like to go to 12", but nobody seems to make them and there isn't room anyway.

A longer handle is the same as better gearing surely? Change the winches if they are not appropriate to the sail and boat. The handle is designed to be comfortable to turn rather than giving leverage.

 

[JumbleDuck]

A longer handle is the same as better gearing surely? Change the winches if they are not appropriate to the sail and boat. The handle is designed to be comfortable to turn rather than giving leverage.

Cost of two new winch handles: £30
Cost of two new self-tailing winches: £700+

 

[BelleSerene]

The optimal length of a winch handle is about the optimal radius your two fists held together will sweep in. It's designed for the human body, so if you're thinking it's too short for you, either grow longer arms (perhaps you already have) or get winches with a lower gear.

Until then, join both fists together, place your nose above the barrel, get a good square stance, broaden your elbows and put lots of core body strength into it - forget about your arm muscles.

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[blackdogsailing]

Cost of two new self-tailing winches: £700+

Lewmar 55st's !! I looked into electric conversions and nearly fainted ! I actually have solved the problem.....Make sure I am on the helm next time we short tack up Southampton Water !

 

[JumbleDuck]

Lewmar 55st's !!

Lewmar? <sniff> One has Andersens.

 

[BruceDanforth]

Drop it in the sea. You know you want to!

Whilst grinding our 150% genoa in the other day (for about the 6th time that afternoon) I was wondering why no one makes a winch handle with a longer arm for extra leverage. There is plenty of space for it on the boat and I cannot believe the extra engineering would significantly add to the cost. I have one with the double handle so 2 people can use it at the same time but the arms length is identical to a single.
There is probably going to be an embarrassingly simple answer but I can't see it !
Chris

 

[flaming]

A lot of winching is technique.

As those who have met me will confirm, I am a very skinny bloke, with arms like matchsticks. I used to skipper corporate boats on days out in the Solent. (I know, you hate me...) My favourite party trick when it was windy was challenging the biggest client on the boat to a grinding competition on the Genoa winches. One day our clients were a premiership rugby team. I challenged the international prop forward to a grinding competition - i.e. who could get the jib ground home in the shortest time after a tack. Best of three. I won comfortably, because I got my body over the winch and got it spinning before the load came on. He lost because he was sat down only using arm strength and didn't start winching until it had stopped from the initial pull.
I bet the rest of the crew my tip that I'd beat him, and it was easily the most profitable day's skippering I ever had.

 

[blackdogsailing]

A lot of winching is technique.

.

I know the technique and 30 years ago it wouldn't have been a problem. But nearing 60 and unfit i'm starting to struggle !
Chris

 

[jwilson]

Whilst grinding our 150% genoa in the other day (for about the 6th time that afternoon) I was wondering why no one makes a winch handle with a longer arm for extra leverage. There is plenty of space for it on the boat and I cannot believe the extra engineering would significantly add to the cost. I have one with the double handle so 2 people can use it at the same time but the arms length is identical to a single.
There is probably going to be an embarrassingly simple answer but I can't see it !
Chris

I've definitely seen longer handles, but as others have said they get awkward to use.

The real trick is control of the tack: smoothly round - starting to turn slowly, let the boat's momentum take you a bit to windward, turn faster as you go through head to wind and then slow down the turn speed again to give the winch-winder time to get almost all the sheet in - mostly without any handle use. This also uses minimum slow-you-down rudder movement.

DON'T get it all the way in immediately, on the new tack sail maybe 5 degrees free till the hull speed is back up to what it was before the tack, probably only 5 seconds, then wind in the last few inches as you come back up to the full close-hauled angle. If you just try to set off on the new tack with sails pinned in you take a long long time to get back to full speed and make a lot of leeway while you do it. The slower and cruisier the boat the more this technique pays off. If you are racing there's a bit of mainsheety stuff going on too, but for most simple cruisers this is the way.

 

[oldvarnish]

I am told, by some friends, that once you give in and fit electric winches, a whole new world of easy sailing opens up.

 

[dunedin]

Should never need any force tacking to windward. Just use mainsail tokeep pointing above normal ttrack and should be able to get sail mostly in by hand. Sail on a bit to get momentum then lift to get last bit in. Simples. And we enjoy tacking up places like Kyle's of Bute this way.
It is only a reach or sailing without mainsail up that we ever need to apply any effort.

 

[colind3782]

Because they wouldn't fit in the winch handle holder?

 

[nigelmercier]

... I'd like to go to 12" ...

Wouldn't we all.

 

[tyce]

Should never need any force tacking to windward. Just use mainsail tokeep pointing above normal ttrack and should be able to get sail mostly in by hand. Sail on a bit to get momentum then lift to get last bit in. Simples. And we enjoy tacking up places like Kyle's of Bute this way.
It is only a reach or sailing without mainsail up that we ever need to apply any effort.

Really!! I'm guessing you don't do much racing or sail trimming. As for technique yes it does help but if like on the OP's boat and on mine if the winches are to small they are to small and all the technique in the world won't help, even with the assistance of the you don't want to do it like that crowd that have posted here.
I have looked for longer handles also but not found any, I have considered making a longer version myself but will probably end up upgrading the winches.