Typhoon winches

[radsailor]

Just purchased a Typhoon weekender with what appear to be original Merriman winches, but no handle. 155% genoa and planning on adding an asymmetric spinnaker. Do you actually need to use the winches and if so any suggestions on where to obtain a handle.

Thank you.

[Steve Laume]

You need to at least take a few wraps around the winch to take the strain off of the cleats. If you run the sheets straight to the cleats, you will eventually split the combing boards. You might not actually need the winch for power but it is nice to have and will make your life much easier. With so many people switching over to self tailing winches, there are a lot of nice standard winches on the used market for cheap. It might be easier and not too expensive to change out the winches you have to a more modern design. Or you could search consignment shops for the handles, Steve.

[radsailor]

Steve,
Thanks very much for the quick reply. I had planned if nothing else to use the winches to take up the strain as you suggest and cross sheet . If that is sufficient, nothing else need be done. If that doesn't do it, I can try putting small blocks on the genoa clew and set up a 2:1 purchase. If all else fails, I will have to bite the bullet and put in new winches as you suggest.

Regards
Ken

[Carl Thunberg]

You may want the winch handle, if you can find one that fits. When close-hauled you want that 155 about a fist-width away from your spreader. A winch handle makes that last few cranks a lot easier.

[wikakaru]

You only need to use the winches if you use a genoa, but not if you use the 100% jib that leads to the cabin top. My boat points almost 5 degrees higher with the jib than with the genoa, and sails so much better, that even though I have a genoa I never use it, even in the lightest airs. I strongly recommend sailing this boat with a non-overlapping jib and not worrying about the winches.

[Steve Laume]

When I was sailing my Ty, I had three hank on head sails. The working jib, a 135 and a huge 165. I kept them all on board and chose the sail I thought most appropriate for the day. The big Genoa didn't get used often but it was a great sail when I did fly it. I am not sure about how well it pointed but it sure would move the boat on a reach, in lighter air. I have some fond memories of out sailing larger boats and watching them casually adjust lines as I was slowly passing them. That alone was worth having one more sail bag in the V berth, Steve.

[radsailor]

My boat arrived today and much to my surprise(was told there was no winch handle, there was a winch handle.
Right now laying out loads of money as is usual with a new boat, but when things settle down, may get blade jib and really want to get an asymmetric spinnaker. I have loads of experience with them on previous boats-J80 and J105.
Anyone think the asymm is a waste on the Typhoon ?

[sloopjohnl]

if you will be doing a fair amount of downwind sailing especially in light air, although they work great on a broad reach in moderate breezes too, they are fun. you will want to add a couple of turning blocks on the taffrail to get good sail trim leading the sheets back to the winches.

[mgphl52]

Anyone think the asymm is a waste on the Typhoon ?

Not me... Here's my last Typhoon with an asymetric that I designed (no, I am not a sailmaker/designer but it worked!):
http://capedory.org/board/viewtopic.php ... te#p122047