Why don't they make longer winch handles?

[HoffaLives]

wonderful sailing, but i can see somebody's back going out....

[NOLAsailing]

Maybe using the second gear and taking another wrap would be an easier solution...

[CapnHand]

"They" do make different lengths. It's a trade off between speed and power.

[CharlieCobra]

I'm glad I don't have that issue on my boat. He needs bigger winches. I've got as much, if not more headsail to crank in and it doesn't take near the time or effort as his did. My peeps would give up and not go if it was that hard.

[sailingdog]

West Marine used to sell a telescoping winch handle. The shorter winch handles give you less leverage, but more speed... The longer handles give you less speed, but more leverage.

Those are two-speed winches, aren't they??? Try turning the handle the other way... Not as fast...but a lot easier to turn...since you'll have much more mechanical advantage.

[cjmcfall]

He should let the Jib luff a bit longer, pinching into the wind, letting her pull more of the line in while the sail isn't so tight. They should not need to make more than two or three turns on the winch to get the proper sail position.

Bigger winches would help too.

[cardiacpaul]

some thoughts

a) fall off a bit, trim sail, reset course.
b) turn the handle the other direction dear.
c) dump her and find a stronger woman.

[Joel73]

Originally Posted by cjmcfall

He should let the Jib luff a bit longer, pinching into the wind, letting her pull more of the line in while the sail isn't so tight. They should not need to make more than two or three turns on the winch to get the proper sail position.

Bigger winches would help too.

My thoughts too. Working together is better.

[HoffaLives]

believe it or not, we were grinding at the "easy" speed. I do often luff it up a bit to let her pull it in more, but i loathe the snapping and cracking of the sail while she pulls in yards of sheet. i guess we will get a bit faster as we get more use to this boat. but did you hear that sheet groaning? there was a lot of power in that sail. the winches are lewmar 45's i think; wouldn't you expect a manufacturer to size winches properly? but getting a longer winch handle would help; i thought they were all 10".

[svindigo]

Agree with the folks above - luff up and give her a break. Regardless of what might work better later you have to respect the gear and crew you have now. Looked like nice sailing though.