winch handle snags dodger-monsun 31

[homa]

I sail a Monsun 31 with a pair of standard (non st) 2 speed 40 lewmar winches for the headsail sheets.
The problem I find is that due to the narrow cockpit coaming & closeness of the dodgers, I can't get a full turn with the handle and therefore unable to use the 2 ratio's effectively. The winches must have been fitted without dodgers in mind. I'm sure many boats must also have this problem.

Only way to sheet in is to crank the handle back & forth, completely negates the point of a 2 speed winch, very hard work when sheeting in that last bit when going to windward.
Have already got the shortest handle I can find, any shorter & I won't be able to turn the thing under load!
On my last boat I had a removable flap cut into each dodger, with flap removed the handle could be turned fully. However I'm reluctant to do this on present boat.
Another option would be to mount the winch on a pedestal to raise the winch handle above the top of the dodger/guard wire, (would need to raise winch at least 6 inches !)
Re-siting the winch elsewhere on the coaming will not solve problem.
The best idea I've come up with is to find a handle with a ratchet built in. Because the winch is 2 speed, the ratchet would have to have a reversible ratchet mechanism.
I'm sure I've seen a ratchet handle in the distant past on someone's boat. So far I've drawn a blank with the local chandlers.

Anyone know of where I can get such a handle or, a better solution to my problem?

Thanks in advance,
homa

 

[vyv_cox]

Why not take the dodgers off? This season, after years of wondering why we had them, I did just that. What an enormous improvement! especially in locks, something we face a lot in Holland. I can't say I have noticed any negatives, at least not yet. I'm carrying them for now and we could put them up in anchorages if we felt the need, or if they seem to help in choppy conditions. No problems so far, though.

 

[homa]

Didn't I mention, I have a 15 month old son who wants to climb everything at the moment. For safety, comfort & privacy, I don't really want to remove the dodgers.
homa

 

[dickh]

I had this problem on my J27, but when I fitted ST winches, I put them on angled plinths so they canted inwards to the cockpit; result, does not snag dodgers and easier to crank when heeled; disadvantage is when sitting in the cockpit the winches dig into your back - but its all a compromise.
My winch handles are also 8" not 10" - not a problem for me as the winches are oversized for the boat.

 

[homa]

Tx for the reply Richard,
I agree that by fitting an angled plinth under the winch will cant the top of the winch into the cockpit and thus dig into the back of anyone sitting in front of it.
The best compromise I can think of so far is to raise the winch AND cant it inwards, just enough so that it doesn't make leaning against the coaming and the winch too uncomfortable.
As you say, its all a compromise. I wish it wasn't !
homa