Winch Covers

[Pete7]

Only a few yachts seem to have them, so are they a waste of time or even worse create a damp environment for metals to go all furry, or do they have a useful function?

Chatted with the crew of a rather nice Rival 34 yesterday, they use the two ends of an old fender to loosely cover their Genoa winches. I thought that was a very good traditional PBO idea and one I may copy.

Pete

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I think they are about as much use as a cover for spare loo rolls in the throne room.
They look twee, but have no practical purpose.

The only exception may be if the winches don't have a metal drum or they have the rubber "Winchers" for self tailing.

 

[Robert Wilson]

I think they are about as much use as a cover for spare loo rolls in the throne room.
They look twee, but have no practical purpose.

The only exception may be if the winches don't have a metal drum or they have the rubber "Winchers" for self tailing.

Thanks for the "heads-up". I shall remove the drum-with-Winchers during winter/lay-up and cover the "rest of the winch" with cut fenders, or similar.
By the way, after a shaky start fitting them, I am delighted with my Winchers, and can thoroughly recommend them for a "less expensive" solution to self tailing.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I think they are about as much use as a ........ but have no practical purpose....

So uncouth, the thought of tarnished chrome is unsettling for the children, they provide a certain grâce et le style, when moored, don’t you know!

 

[oldsaltoz]

The only winch covers I ever saw that looked ok had plastic snakes wrapped around them and not a seagul in sight.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

By the way, after a shaky start fitting them, I am delighted with my Winchers, and can thoroughly recommend them for a "less expensive" solution to self tailing.

We've got winchers on the lifting keel and coachroof winches and I agree, they are surprisingly effective.
Our main winches are "real" self-tailers cos we iz posh.

 

[prv]

I can believe light-coloured ones in hot places have a purpose - stopping the grease liquifying in the sun and running out of the bottom. Otherwise yes, just twee-ness.

Pete

 

[Pete7]

Folks thanks, since they are of limited value and just for twee-ness I will have my man make up some to colour match the ensign - there should be some blue leftover from a recent tiller cover project.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I have a couple of covers which came with the boat. I discovered last summer that they are remarkably easy to flip overboard when you are motoring. My young crew was pleased to see me go round in circles to retrieve the one I launched last summer ... and even more delighted when I sent the second one flying five minutes after recovering the first. He still likes to remind me of it. Little rat.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Folks thanks, since they are of limited value and just for twee-ness I will have my man make up some to colour match the ensign - there should be some blue leftover from a recent tiller cover project.

A most excellent idea, its all about standards, remember to beat your man, just so he knows what for if he lets standards slip.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I have a couple of covers which came with the boat. I discovered last summer that they are remarkably easy to flip overboard when you are motoring. My young crew was pleased to see me go round in circles to retrieve the one I launched last summer ... and even more delighted when I sent the second one flying five minutes after recovering the first. He still likes to remind me of it. Little rat.

A flogging is good for both discipline and morale.