Association Forum - Has anyone used "Winchers"?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Has anyone used "Winchers"?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/20/2002 : 18:37:49

I just received another $10.00 rebate from Westmarine for dropping a few more boat units with them(I don't know if I should be <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> or <img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle> ?) and, after perusing the catalog, I think I might use the windfall for a pair of Winchers for the jib winches. Although Winchers are not recommended for jib sheets(halyards only), the Westmarine website states that some of their customers "swear by them" when used for sheets.

Anyway, do any of you use them for sheets and, if so, do they work reasonably well or should I spend my money elsewhere? Are there any tricks or helpful hints when using them?

If they do work then it should make singlehanding a little easier than the ballet I perform now(winching with one hand, tailing with the other while one foot is manning the tiller and the other foot is holding my beverage <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> ).

<img src="http://www.boatus-store.com/items/large/338690.jpg" border=0>

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 08/20/2002 18:39:32

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

Members Avatar

793 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 19:01:30

Yes, and now they are on the bottom of my junk drawer. I'm glad I didn't pay for them they came with my last boat. They were not on the winches but in the junk drawer and soon found their way back there.
There is no comparison between a cheep blue fix and a real selftailing winch. I'm sure there better ways to spend the rebate. Besides with prehensile toes why would you need them? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
 

[url="http://www.peregrinefund.org/"]<img src="http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/intro_mid_image.GIF" border=0>[/url]
 John G- "PEREGRINE" C25-#4762 FK

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 19:24:55

I realize that these winchers($32.00/pr) are not going to perform like true self-tailing winches, but even if they provide only a little assistance they may be worth the price when one considers that two new chrome Lewmar self-tailing winches start out at $800.00. <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 20:22:46

If you race, winchers are a NO-NO! If you cruise...maybe a help. If you single-hand, they are a pain in the butt! Mine joined John G's in the junk drawer...
Derek

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 21:18:03

On a friend's C-27, they were OK for holding the sheet after winching (as an alternative to a cleat), but they didn't tail worth a damn. I got a pair for our C-25, and they won't come close to holding the 1/2" sheets our DPO put on. So, they're in the junk drawer for now. My new cam cleats will perform the function when I get them installed.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/20/2002 21:19:16

Edited by - on

jandrus
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 09:27:43

I really like mine.

I put winchers on my primaries two seasons ago. I think they're a well spent $30. Once I figured out how to load the winches so that the things can grab they work really well. They are not truly self tailing because they don't strip the line off the drum but they really do allow me to grind without tailing the sheet - I need only position myself so the tail hits my body and that strips. Took a little while to figure out but wonderful. A very slight upward pressure holds the sheet against the rubber with little effort. Slight downward pressure and the sheet runs out. You can still strip the sheet off the top of the winch to tack.

I'd buy them again.

Justin - O'day Owners' Web

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 13:25:30

First thing I did with my winches was cut those things right off. I have never had success with them.

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b1ce23b3127cce9b043565af3d0000004010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Mark Maxwell
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
329 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 13:45:56

I've used them on a friends boat. Though they absolutely do not compare to self tailers, they do a good job of holding the sheet while grinding. The first thing I had to learn was that you don't slip the sheet in the groove at the top. just use more wraps around the drum to build the coil up against the rubber. It does take more time to un-wrap (that's why they aren't good for racing). Bottom line they work as intended but do not compare to self-tailers, but then $800-vs-$30. They are worth that.

Mark-
<img src="http://personal.jax.bellsouth.net/jax/l/c/lchaplin/unkarock/usflagwav.gif" border=0>
'Impulse'
C25 #533 DINN/FIN ~_/)~

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 15:35:03

I like mine.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

Gary
1st Mate

Members Avatar

58 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 15:46:20

I like mine, too.

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 16:04:10

They are a . . . compromise. And like all compromises, they are imperfect. I put a wincher on my halyard winch, since I have Lewmar 16STs as my primaries. I find it takes me about five wraps to get the line snug, which is not good. The wincher improves the line-holding ability of the winch, but it's neither a tailer in a bikini (first preference) nor a genuine ST winch. They're not bad for the price, but don't expect them to perform like either of the above.

Brooke

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 17:37:35

Uhmm...interesting...5 in favor and 4 against! Initially, with the first couple of negative responses, I thought it was going to be an easy "no" decision on the purchase of the winchers, but with the late rally by those in favor of winchers, I'm no longer sure. Like I said earlier, I absolutely do NOT expect $30.00 winchers to even remotely compare to $800.00 ST's(and,...pleeeeease,... don't think I'm trying to do that!), but if they do aid in some small way, the pocket change they cost could be worth it.

Anyway, this weekend I think I'll scout the marina and see if I can find someone who uses them and ask for a demonstration. Thanks for the opinions.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

eric.werkowitz
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 19:25:06

Don,

Are you really an Admiral that doesn't have an autotiller? Or were you exagerating the acrobatics while you winch in the sheets? When my "otto" minds the tiller I find it easy to winch with the stock Lewmars. I installed a pair of cam cleats on pedestals right beside the winches and find the combination of cleats and otto make single-handing a snap. If you don't have easily accessable cam cleats to hold the sheets, that may be a good use for the WM kick-back.

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 19:33:01

Eric,

Yes, I do use an autopilot(wouldn't leave home without it) and, yes I was exaggerating just a bit, but I'm just looking for ways to make life easier on the water.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

JesseSmith
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2002 : 09:35:46

Make that 5 for and 5 against. I tried a pair on my c25. They simply do not work. Want to buy mine?
JS

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2002 : 11:28:14

Okay, half of you can't get them to work and the other half say they like them,...what gives here? Are the ones who like them overstating their effectiveness? Did the others who threw their's away just not get the hang of them?

I think I'll spend my $10.00 rebate on therapy? <img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

kurt
1st Mate

Members Avatar

27 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2002 : 12:22:10

I’d offer Derek or John G $5.00 for theirs A win win if don’t like them you only lost a 5 spot if you do you got a good deal. :)

Kurt
86 C25 sr/fk/inboard
Snowfish

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2002 : 17:27:27

Sorry Kurt - I don't think they would have fit! I used them (very temporarily) on our old C22 over 10 years ago - they spent 3 years at the bottom of Canyon Lake.
Derek

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2002 : 21:07:14

I'm missing something here.... How did they get out?

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2002 : 09:29:58

Dave - the C22 sank with the winchers in the junk drawer in Nov '91. The boat wasn't raised for 3 years.
Derek

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2002 : 09:56:04

Wow, Derek, tell us the story!

That beats mine: four years ago I gave a Mobjack to the church camp where my son works in the summer. Two years ago the beached but untethered boat floated away during a night storm. USCG and Marine Resources searches turned up nothing, so we assumed it had sunk in the creek or the Chesapeake. This summer the camp got a call from some people on the York River. . . the other side of the Bay and south. . . who had found the boat completely intact bumping up against their dock.

Brooke

Edited by - brooke willson on 08/23/2002 09:56:57

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2002 : 11:12:44

Wandering the Chesapeake for two years! Amazing!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2002 : 17:20:36

Brooke - I think I've told the story before - but here's a repeat for those who missed the first time:
We were racing the C22 in 20 - 23K wind and were running with a poled-out 110 and a reefed main. Fortunately the 3 of us were wearing life jackets. We got hit by a 35k gust with a 90 degree shift (not unusual on the lake)and started to death roll. The jib back-winded and the boat broached. The keel was down, but not locked, and as the spreader hit the water the keel collapsed from the severe chop on the lake. With no righting moment she kept going and turtled. We all stepped off the boat (I didn't even get my sunglasses wet!) A C30 was about 3 boat lengths to leeward and he dropped his sails and motored around us trailing lines. We were safe in his cabin within 2 minutes of getting wet. A friend who SCUBA's dove on her the next week and brought up most of our personal stuff and then the mast, boom and sails. He was planning on raising her, but a week later the lake flooded (deja vu all over again) and instead of being 69' deep she was now at 99' - so he didn't have enough bottom time. He finally got around to raising her 3 years later after buying the title from the insurance co.
2 months after she sank we found our C25 - and obviously picked a fixed keel! This is why she's called "This Side Up".
Derek (still waiting for the lake to go down...)<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2002 : 18:35:28

Thanks, Derek. Great story.

Send the lake water here. Virginia Dept. of Natural Resources has just announced they will no longer let water out of Lake Moomaw, in the western part of the state, to drain in to the James River basin. This will reduce the James another 10%. The Lake is half empty (or is it half full?) because of the three year drought.

Brooke

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2002 : 20:57:21

Brooke: Isn't much of the James an estuary off the Chesapeake?

Derek: Dumped from a Catalina, rescued by a Catalina, and bought another Cataline (between the former two)... Your red blood cells must be diamond-shaped!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2002 : 01:07:30

Dave: the Chesapeake is an estuary, but the James is a river which begins way up in the Appalachians and winds its way for hundreds of miles through central Virginia to its mouth at Hampton Roads, which is almost at the mouth of the Chesapeake. The James is tidal to Richmond, where the falls are located. It goes west to Lynchburg, then through a gap in the Blue Ridge, into the Valley (not technically the Shenandoah Valley there. . .the Shenandoah is farther north) and up into the Alleghanies west of Lexington. It's up there that Lake Moomaw is located and feeds the James system.

I know that's more than you ever wanted to know. . . <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>!

Brooke

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.