Do my winches need to be level?

[cdhickey]

I'm about to replace the winches on my 24'. The current winches are Barlow #16s that sit on an angled wooden pedestal that keeps them more or less level. The new winches likely won't fit on this pedestal. Is it okay to mount the new winches directly to the deck so that they will be tilted at about 10 degrees, or do I need to fashion a new pedestal to keep them level?

[killarney_sailor]

levelness is not important angle of lead for the sheet is critical. If you check your current setup you will likely see that the sheet comes into the bottom of the winch at an angle of 10 to 15% below the winch base. You need this to prevent overrides when you use the winch. You must maintain a similar angle for the new winches.

[cdhickey]

Thanks! Maintaining the angle of the sheet won't be a problem.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by killarney_sailor

levelness is not important angle of lead for the sheet is critical. If you check your current setup you will likely see that the sheet comes into the bottom of the winch at an angle of 10 to 15% below the winch base. You need this to prevent overrides when you use the winch. You must maintain a similar angle for the new winches.

Agree. Mine aren't level... well, until I heel!!!

[tdw]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Agree. Mine aren't level... well, until I heel!!!

CD....face it me old mucker....everything about you is a little bit skew-whiff.

[sailingdog]

Bad wombat...brutally honest, but bad...