Barlow 4 wire winch brake

[Freeman]

Hi Crew,
I need a brake for my main winch on an Arends 33. Anyone have one ! Currently in Yeppoon. Have dodgied it up for now. Cheers Tony SV Romance.

[psk125]

Sounds like you have a wire reel winch, and like it's time for a new winch. Wire reel winches are dangerous. The brakes break, or are easily released prematurely, so the handle spins and then arms, fingers, and whatever else gets in its way gets damaged or broken too. It also sounds like it is time for a new halyard. Dyneema will likely be less stretchy than your wire, and won't nick your fingers with broken strands. Imagine- no bloodstains on the deck, the sails, or clothes. Dodging up a fix ignores the message that Neptune is trying to send you.

[Freeman]

Originally Posted by psk125

Sounds like you have a wire reel winch, and like it's time for a new winch. Wire reel winches are dangerous. The brakes break, or are easily released prematurely, so the handle spins and then arms, fingers, and whatever else gets in its way gets damaged or broken too. It also sounds like it is time for a new halyard. Dyneema will likely be less stretchy than your wire, and won't nick your fingers with broken strands. Imagine- no bloodstains on the deck, the sails, or clothes. Dodging up a fix ignores the message that Neptune is trying to send you.

Thanks for your thoughts. I believe you may be right. On passage at the moment. I would like to maintain the heritage of the yacht, as it is the Number one Hull built by John Arends for himself.

[psk125]

Understandable if you are considering a donation to Home - Australian National Maritime Museum. Have to think though that Arends used the best possible equipment and gear available when the boat was built, so as to get the most speed out of what he wanted to be a fast boat. To maintain this goal it would make sense (and be cheaper, too, because rope to wire splices are pricey) to put the old gear in storage for the museum, later, and to use the safer and better gear now available for your passages. Are you still only using a Radio Direction-Finder or Loran?

[Freeman]

Originally Posted by psk125

Understandable if you are considering a donation to Home - Australian National Maritime Museum. Have to think though that Arends used the best possible equipment and gear available when the boat was built, so as to get the most speed out of what he wanted to be a fast boat. To maintain this goal it would make sense (and be cheaper, too, because rope to wire splices are pricey) to put the old gear in storage for the museum, later, and to use the safer and better gear now available for your passages. Are you still only using a Radio Direction-Finder or Loran?

Good point, there is enough stowage room on the yacht. Sextant, compas and knotted rope actually!