Winch self-tailing converter rings

Sy-Revolution

Sy-Revolution

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 Apr 2006
Messages
1,281
Location
On board -N/B Berengaria, Cambridge
Visit site
Hi,
Anyone tried these?
https://sslrelay.com/s88859089.oneandone...=28BTN_21643=29

I've just bought a boat with 6 winches, all non self-tailing, and would rather not have to replace them as they're all in great condition.
At £39 a pair these would save me a pretty penny but I doubt their usability. What d'yall think? If not anyone know of a good source of used winches?



Cheers,
Jon.
 
Being a died in the wool cheapskate I tried these or something very similar a few years ago and they don't work terribly well,I was going to say that they are crap but I won't cos I don't want to be sued by the manufacturers.
They are a bit like those vegetable slicers and multi grip spanners which you can only buy at Boat shows they work incredibly well at the demonstration but don't when you get them home.
It's been a source of wonder to me that they have been around for so long.


Stands back and waits for post saying they are the best thing since "sliced bread".Mind you I don't like that either.
 
I don't believe the manufacturers of these horrid liitle rubber rings can still be in business. They're crap. They're awful. They're a waste of space. They serve no useful purpose. They have no use on a boat. They have no use anywhere.

Other than that, they're rather good (dunno what for though).

I'd save yer pennies fer proper self-tailers. I know I will. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
some people manage with those winchers, but they have to be a very tight fit onto the top of the winch otherwise they dont work, and you end up with a lot of turns n the winch which makes a rapid easing of sheets a tad difficult.

Best advice is to give a single set a try and see if you can get on with them, and replace the most used winches with self tailers
 
Just to balance up the argument a bit.......we used them on one boat for several years. They do work, the main drawback is that you have to keep pulling the tail of the rope off the winch drum. Obviously they are not a substitute for a self tailer but then they don't cost much in comparison, do they. With just 2 of us on the boat, they definitely made life easier.
Never used the groove at the top, by the way - didn't find they had any use. The rope stayed jammed if you have enough turns on.
 
Stupid money as advertised. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
i just bopught from a fellow forumite two winches with these fitted, they do work, i use them as halliard winches with the halliard " trapped" under the rubber collar, i dont use the rubber groove at all. they seem ok used this way.
i wopuld not spend £39 a pair on them, rather put the cash towards real self-tailers
 
Had them on my boat when I bought it. I cut them off last year. I couldn't get used to them. I preferred to tail manually and cleat off to a seperate cleat.
 
[ QUOTE ]
mmmmmmmm........As I suspected, shame someone doesn't make a 'real' conversion kit. I guess I'll just have to start saving eh?!

[/ QUOTE ]
The Australian Winch Company (have a web site and make Arco winches) do make some conversion parts for various winches. Their prices are pretty good too for international buyers, as winches in Aus are much cheaper than o/s for some reason.
 
I use winchers, they work fine for me and various crew. The secret is putting enough turns on the winch to ensure that the sheet is gripped firmly against the underside of the rubber ring (4 or so).
 
I used them on the sheet winches on a previous boat and they worked OK and had the added benefit of being kinder on the shins when climbing in/out of the cockpit.

I also had a winch which tailed itself quite well w/o either a wincher or a self-tailer. I found if I just loaded enough turns to fill the winch then the halyard would pinch under the top lip of the winch and provide the same effect as the wincher (but FOC).
 
I have fitted these on my last three boats, Konsort, Ballad and Fulmar for the genoa winches and found them excellent, as have my crew. My present ones have been on 11 years and still do the job with no problem. For the £25 they cost they have been worth their weight in gold.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top