I still have the original headsail winches on my 1995 C&C 36 XL/kcb--Lewmar
50s self-tailing 2 speed IIRC--although I moved them forward for my local
racing needs. I also added a set of Lewmar 44s to make kite handling more
reasonable. If this combination of 'power' is not enough, I need to get drop my
sails and get into port somewhere!!
However, even these winches for the genoa can seem to be underpowered if the
helm is not in tune with the headsail as it crosses the boat. I find it
especially important to not turn the boat too fast during the tack. The helm
needs to turn the wheel slowly, especially within say +/- 10-15 degrees of head
to wind, before the genoa begins to fill on the new tack.
This will allow most of the new active sheet to be brought in hand over hand
with very little pressure on it so that when it fills, there is only a few feet
to winch in with a handle.
I have found that with a 155% headsail, a 'quick' tack is usually a bad one
since the grinders have to seriously grind in too much line with the genoa
filled. This is a good example of using better 'timing' during the tack to
reduce the serious winching required otherwise. If you are racing, climbing
back to close-hauled from a tack that was too fast with the genoa too far out
loses a lot of ground to windward to your competitors on every 'fast' tack.
BTW, if you add/replace any winches be mindful of where you mount them. My
cockpit was originally set up more for cruising so the headsail winches were
aft in the cockpit. As I did more club racing, in order to have room in the
cockpit for flying a masthead symmetrical kite, I had to move them forward and
add a set (44s) to handle the kite. I think the original thought was to fly the
kite from winches on the cockpit bulkhead either side of the companionway which
were Lewmar 30s. This turned out to be totally underpowered for my kite AND it
concentrated too many bodies together at the companionway in each other's way
most of the time. Further, even when I moved the 30s to the cockpit coaming aft
of the headsail winches, I found the 30s to be underpowered for my kite--thus I
replaced them with the 44s.
Until I added the 44s, we tried to use the headsail winches for the kite which
had plenty of power--however, moving the kite and genoa sheets during racing
was much too confusing and time consuming.
FWIW
Charlie NelsonWater Phantom1995 C&C 36XL/kcb
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 10:46:36 AM EDT, Jeffrey A. Laman via
CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
Hello all,I have attempted to search the archives for information and
opinions on new primary winches for C&C34, but was not able to locate a
discussion. If there has been, my apologies. It has become apparent that the
old, Lewmar, self-tailing, 2-spd winches that came on my boat are not adequate
-- in a moderate wind with a 155 genoa it takes two crew cranking with all
their strength to bring the sheet in far enough. I and the crew are not
getting younger, either -- average age about 65 to 70. I don't know the
details of gear ratios and power ratio for these old Lewmars, but am
investigating so I have that as a reference. If any of you C&C34, or similar
sized boat, owners have recommendations for replacement, 2-spd, self-tailing
winches, I would be grateful. I frequently sail solo and hope to be able to
continue for another 10 to 15 years (if I live to be 80!), so I need to factor
that in the decision. Also, any experiences or recommendations for the actual
removal and installation would be great too! Thanks.
Jeff Laman1981 C&C34 HarmonyLudington, MI
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