I have a couple of winch related questions.
1) The surface is wearing off the forward winches so the jib sheets don't grab as well. Instead of being the rough, crinkly surface, they are somewhat smooth and rusty. Is there some sort of course, chrome type paint that can be re-applied? It seems like it wouldn't be all that different from the sand type stuff you can put in deck paint to make it non-skid. They work well other than the surface being bad where they have worn from the sheets so replacing the winches doesn't seem to make sense. 2) I guess this is a probably a sailing technique question. Primarily when using the 150 genoa, when I tack the slightest bit of hang-up on the just released sheet, restrains the side that is actually holding the tension of the sail and impacts sail shape as well as the ability of the sail to cross the deck and change sides quickly and easily. If the sheet stays around the winch (but not cleated) that small tension, plus the tension of the sheet as it goes around the shrouds and the mast to the other side slows things down. When you tack do you normally pull the wrap off of the winch so there is no restraint at all? We haven't done that because it just has to be re-wrapped when tacking the other way. This was never an issue on the smaller boats we have owned. The truth is we have never needed to use the winches before sailing the 27. I'm curious if this is an issue for anyone else. Thanks!!! Jim Jim Bernstorf Jules Distribution 6025 Cloverland Drive Brentwood, TN 37027 615.833.1848
