rope halyard conversion

Submitted by orthopod1 on Sun, 03/20/2011 - 13:02
This spring I noticed that one of the side plates (made of either a wood or composite) of my winch system got cracked. A new winch would cost over $200, maybe $125-150 used. I do not race, and only daysail. Would I be better off purchasing a rope halyard conversion kit? Is it easier and faster to hoist with the rope halyard? Thanks for any advice.
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Comments

I can't answer your question but I can editorialize.

Submitted by Richard Lewis on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 17:44.
I can't answer your question but I can editorialize. I wish that Sandy had designed the Scot with normal lines to raise the sails. I think the wires and the winches are a real pain in the neck, especially the one that raises the main where you have to crank with one hand and try to keep the wire from building up at one end of the winch with the other while still trying to feed the sail into the track. R.Lewis FS367 Chin Up

Actually, if you day sail and do not race then a 3/16 spectra ro

Submitted by karafiath on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 20:57.
Actually, if you day sail and do not race then a 3/16 spectra rope or other high strength low stretch rope will be adequate along with an inexpensive plastic cleat. If you shop wisely the whole thing should cost about $ 50 or less. However be prepared to work out a system where you store the excess rope when the sail is hoisted. The nice thing about the winch is that it stores the excess wire. Merry sailing FS 3512

Maybe I am missing something but don't you need two hands on a r

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 12:04.
Maybe I am missing something but don't you need two hands on a rope halyard, and a third hand to feed the sail into the track? The winch allows you to raise the halyard with one hand and feed the sail with the other. Would the 3/16" rope run down the sail track, like the wire does? Is there room? Anybody out there have a winch off an old mast that they can sell at a low price to orthopod? Have you asked Harry if he has parts lying around? If you factor in the research, thinking and fiddling around time, the winch sounds cheap. Two spectra lines, for jib and main, two cleats, and the fact that you make the boat illegal for racing doesn't seem like a good deal. You would probably have to fix it to sell the boat later. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club