Installing main halyard winch and fairleads on cabin roof

[Sea Hunt Video]

Hello Tim and all:

I am FINALLY at the point of getting the courage to drill holes in my beloved S/V Bali Ha'i.

Tim, it has been a while since your last post. Are there any follow up issues that you discovered that you have been able to resolve Any items of particular concern that a rookie/newbie/tadpole should look out for and try NOT to make

If you have any additional photos could you post them

I am trying to decide if I want to install a self-tailing winch or not. It will be a Lewmar, single speed. In my mind I think I do not need self-tailing but then I remember how I am usually wrong in my thinking.

Any thoughts on parts - winch, line clutch, etc. will be much appreciated.

Thanks for any additional information, advise, photos, etc. They are very much appreciated.

[Jim Walsh]

Self-tailers and line stoppers are the modern method of line handling. I'm sure Cape Dory would be equipping their boats in this fashion today. My staysail and mainsail sheets are run aft to coachroof mounted winches. Were I ever to replace them I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to self-tailers.

[Steve Laume]

I really like the way Cape Dory did the winches and cam cleats on the coach roof. I usually just do one wrap on the stay sail winch and two on the main. It makes it very easy to adjust the sheets by just handling the tails and then pulling them into the cam cleats when you are done. This would not be possible with self tailers or rope clutches ahead of the winches. If you always had crew they could deal with any arrangement. When single handing I just lean forward while at the helm, grab the tail and give it a tug to release it from the cam cleat. I can then pull in or release the sheet and snug it back into the cleat with out ever leaving the helm.

This is one place I would never want self tailing winches, Steve.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Steve:

Any chance you have photos of your winches and cam cleats on the coach roof that you could post

Thank you

[tjr818]

Hello Tim and all:

I am FINALLY at the point of getting the courage to drill holes in my beloved S/V Bali Ha'i.

Tim, it has been a while since your last post. Are there any follow up issues that you discovered that you have been able to resolve Any items of particular concern that a rookie/newbie/tadpole should look out for and try NOT to make . . . .

Roberto, I have not posted anything new on this topic, but after using this system for the rest of the season I have some points I would like to mention:
Be very careful selecting the routing for the lines from the mast, I find myself stepping on those lines at the end of every sail as we put the sail cover on.
Chose the best quality and the largest turning blocks that you can manage, the friction added can be significant. Even with the Tides Marine Strongtrack, we have to use the winch to raise the main the last
several feet. We will be switching to a larger turning block for the main halyard.

These are the only issues we have noticed. Go for it. It is a very nice improvement.

[Jim Walsh]

Steve:

Any chance you have photos of your winches and cam cleats on the coach roof that you could post

Thank you

Roberto,
This is the arrangement Steve is referring to. This is my boat but I believe his arrangement is the same on the CD30. Both the staysail sheet and the main sheet are led aft to the port side of the coachroof to winches and cam cleats. The cam cleats are SS Schaefer units with meshed gears so both jaws close at the same rate.

[mgphl52]

This is one place I would never want self tailing winches, Steve.

However, Roberto is asking about main halyard... not main sheet...

[Steve Laume]

This is one place I would never want self tailing winches, Steve.

However, Roberto is asking about main halyard... not main sheet...

Sorry i lost track of the thread.

For the main halyard, a self tailing winch makes perfect sense. I do like the sheet arrangement as well. Steve.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Yes, I am planning to install a winch, turning block, clutch, etc. for the main halyard. I am also considering "upsizing" the system for three lines total so that I can include or "add" two (2) sets reefing lines.

The mainsheet on S/V Bali Ha'i (as I think does Tim's on his CD 27) is attached at the aft end of the boom to a traveler near the stern.

Tim I appreciate the suggestion about increasing the size and quality of the turning blocks. I also have a Tides Marine Strong Track and it does help but the less friction the better.