Sailboat Winch Design
Sailboat winches are relatively simple devices. Winches aboard sailboats are, in essence, miniaturized versions of large winches aboard full-sized ships. They consist of a rotating drum atop a plate, which contains a cam and a gear system.
Sailboat winches also have a slot on top for a crank, which is removable and often switched between winches on either side of the cockpit. Winches have a "cleat" above the drum, which holds the line in place, and a "self-tailor" that feeds the cable into the cleat. Older winches don't always have a cleat or a self-tailor.
What does a Sailboat Winch Do?
Sailboat winches wind up lines like a spool of thread. But unlike a loose spool, sailboat winches have an internal mechanism that only allows them to turn in one direction. This means you can wind up the line, let go of the crank, and it won't all come unraveled.
What are Sailboat Winches Used For?
Sailboat winches are used in a variety of ways. Most sailboat winches are used to manipulate the rigging. These tasks include hoisting the sails with the halyards and trimming the sheets.
Sailboats usually have at least two winches, but many have four or more. These are commonly located atop the aft section of the cabin and along the rails of the cockpit.
Some winches are located on the stern, and others at the bow for lifting the anchor or pulling up to the dock. Some winches serve more than one purpose. For example, you can raise the mainsail, secure the mainsheet to a cleat, unwind the line, and use the winch for something else.
Ratcheting Winches
Sailboat winches contain a ratcheting cam system. Ever hear a winch make a clicking sound during winding? That's the cam at work. The cam is a spring loaded rocker that runs along with a gear in the winch. It works like a bicycle sprocket.
When you set the direction of a winch, the cam shifts into a position that blocks the gear teeth from turning towards it. However, when wound in the set direction, the teeth of the gear lift up the cam, which drops to the next tooth producing that signature clicking sound.
Winch Gears and Speeds
Winches often have multiple gears, which change the speed of the turn. Winches typically use a fast and a slow speed, which is activated by turning the crank in a particular direction.
Use the fast speed when taking up the slack, as it's faster but harder to turn. When tension begins to build, switch cranking directions, and it'll switch to the slow speed. The slower speed produces more torque.
How to Use a Sailboat Winch
Operating a sailboat winch is usually quite easy and can be accomplished quickly in almost any condition. Winding (loading) and unwinding the winch are different processes, which we'll cover here.
How to Load a Sailboat Winch
Start by winding the rope around the winch by hand in a clockwise direction from bottom to top. After the first loop, pull out as much slack as you can by hand. Three or four loops are usually sufficient.
Next, take the top end of the line and place it in the jaw of the self-tailor, then secure it in the cleat. Now you can begin winding the winch, usually with the fast gear first. Once tension begins to rise, switch to the slow speed until you're satisfied with the result.
How to Unwind a Sailboat Winch
Unwinding the winch is simple but requires some strength and control. Start by getting a good grip on the loose end of the line. Next, carefully remove it from the cleat. Gently ease out on the rope by releasing tension. Once you've reached the desired length, simply slide the end of the line back into the cleat.
Sailboat Winch Safety
Sailboat winches store a lot of force, so it's essential to treat them and the areas directly around them with respect. It's generally best to keep your hands and body at least a foot away from the winch when it is moving.
Also, keep your clothes, hair, and life jacket straps away from the moving pieces, as anything loose can get caught and compressed between the lines. Winches can break bones, so be aware and use caution.
Winches Without Cleats and Self-Tailors
Many older winches and simpler winch designs don't use self-tailor systems. Self-tailors are a convenient and effective design feature, but having one isn't entirely necessary to operate a sailboat winch.
Winches without integral cleats or self-tailors always have another kind of cleat nearby. In many cases, a cam cleat is located on a deck or bulkhead directly across from the winch. Load and wind the winch as you normally would, then draw the end of the line into the cam cleat and pull it tight.
Winch Winding Tips
Winding a winch can be tricky at first, which is why we're going to cover a few sailboat winch tips to help you get started. With these tips, you can reduce the amount of time you spend untangling lines and (hopefully) prevent the occasional rope burn or palm blister.
For one, always wind the winch in a clockwise direction starting from the bottom. This is standard procedure, even if the cleat is lower than the base of the winch. Winding the winch from the top down requires you to feed the excess line underneath the source, which is hazardous and time-consuming.
Also, keep the crank in a secure location if it doesn't utilize a locking system when connected to the winch. Losing a winch crank is a hassle, especially when it falls overboard.
After looping the line around the winch, pull out as much of the slack as you can by hand. It's faster, and there's no need to crank the winch if the tension isn't very tight. Some people get away with never using the winch crank.
Electric Winches
Electric winches are one of those super useful sailboat gadgets that everybody wants, but few people have. Electric winches wind using a motor, which eliminates most of the human effort involved.
Electric winches can be controlled from a central location, such as the enclosed pilothouse of a large sailboat. These winches are useful for large cruising vessels that use canopies to cover the cockpit while underway.
Electric winches are much costlier than many high-end mechanical winches, and they're more complicated. That said, they're most reliable, and the majority of electric winches have a traditional crank receptacle for backup use.
Sailboat Winch Maintenance
Sailboat Winches are mechanical devices with metal parts, which means they'll need periodic inspection and maintenance. The best way to extend the service life of your winches is to cover them when the boat is not in use.
Greasing the Winch
Winches may begin to bind or seize up with age or neglect. If you notice your winch starting to slow down, it may be time to pull it apart and grease it.
Greasing is an important part of winch maintenance, and it should be done if any part of the winch starts sticking. Winch design varies, so consult the manual or online forums before pulling it apart.
Before greasing the winch, disassemble it and wipe off excess gunk. Spray or soak the parts in a solvent to remove any leftover grease, dirt, and grime. Automotive brake cleaner is an inexpensive way to remove grease.
Oil-Only Parts
Some winch parts, such as the pawl, should never be greased. Grease is too thick for the pawl and could cause it to bind up. Instead, lubricate these parts with machine oil.
