Winch for Jib/Genoa

[sandycohen]

Hi -

I recently purchased a 23' marconi rigged sloop.

The boat has tracks and leads for a jib and a genoa. There is only one set of winches, on the deck just aft of the genoa track, and this set of winches is not backed up with a cleat.

The jib track and lead are on top of the cabin, and are backed up with cleats.

My first question is can the winches next to the genoa track be used for the jib as well?

My second question is whether it is OK that the genoa winch is not backed up with a cleat?

My third question is can the winch next to the genoa be used for the mainsheet also?

Thanks

[Sailmonkey]

you can use any winch for anything so long as you have the correct angle for the line leading into it.
as far as the lack of cleats goes......are these self tailers?

[sandycohen]

What is the correct angle?

I don't know if they are self-tailers - they are concave metal spools with no discernible features other than the place where the handle is connected.

Thanks!!

[Sailmonkey]

On a 23' boat you may not even need winches for some of the work.
How old is the boat? are the winches the type that the handle goes in the top, or does the handle look like a peice of flat metal and go in the side of the winch? I've sailed several older boats that you needed to throw a hitch over the winch after done hauling in the sail.

The correct angle is one that will feed the line into the winch near the bottom and allow multiple turns to be taken on the winch without causing the line to override or bunch up.

[sandycohen]

Thanks, again! The boat is 45 years old (1965).

The handle connects on the top of the winch body (only kind I've ever seen).

So after you trim the sheet as desired, tie the line around the spool to keep it in place?

The previous owner indicated that the winches are only used for the Genoa, and he trimmed the jib using just the cleats, but that wouldn't work for the genoa because they are ahead of the genoa track.

[Sailmonkey]

It has worked for me in the past, otherwise you could add on a pair of cleats after the winches, with proper backing of course.

[barnakiel]

You can get cheap aluminum self-jamming cleats. I have them and they work fine. You do not cleat on them - just lead the line around once.

If you prefer to leave the line on the winch, learn how to tie it by leading the end "under-back-and-over" - same like you do it with a chain on the post. It is fast and easy to let go.

If you want to re-use the winch it is good to have a foot block with a jammer - then you can jam the sheet before the winch and use it for another sheet/line.

b.