Please select your home edition
Edition
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit

Five simple steps to Winch Wisdom

by John Jamieson on 23 Apr 2012
Winch Wisdom - getting the angles right can help to avoid overrides SW
Did you know that in just 15 knots of wind, a large 150% Genoa can exert over 750 pounds of pressure? Or that without the correct number of wraps around a winch, you will lose pulling and hauling power--and need to work harder than necessary?

(To determine the amount of pull exerted on a headsail sheet, multiply the sail area by the square of the wind speed; divide the result by 232. This formula is from 'The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge' by John Vigor).

So how can you get more power, efficiency and life from your sheet and halyard winches? John Jamieson (Captain John) here shows you how to make your winches work harder with these five easy steps:


1. Lead sheet lines at a proper angle:

Lead the line from the load to the winch at an angle greater than 90 degrees. The loaded line on this halyard winch (left side) has a good angle to prevent overrides. Don't forget to wrap the line 3 to 4 times around the drum to hold the loaded line onto the winch drum.

Make the headsail sheet rise up to meet the winch drum. Keep the angle greater than 90 degrees.

This helps avoid winch overrides, where the turns jam and freeze onto the drum. If necessary, lead the sheet to a second block and then up to the drum.

2. Wrap the drum and haul around:
Remove the winch handle (if installed). Start near the base and wrap three to four clockwise turns around the winch drum (both photos).

Pull on the hauling part to remove excess slack. THEN insert the handle after you remove all slack from the sheet or halyard.

3. Choose the best winch handle length
For maximum winch power bend the knees, keep the back straight, and hover over the winch so that you can look straight down at the winch drum.
Measure the radius at the top of the winch. Determine the distance from the center out to the drum's edge. Multiply this distance by 4. Use a winch handle of this length for good mechanical advantage.

For example, if you measure 2.5 inches, use a 10 inch handle; if you measure 3 inches, use a 12 inch handle.





4. Position your body OVER the drum
Stand or crouch next to the winch. Hover your body over the winch so that you can look straight down at the top of the winch. Insert the winch handle and crank in a smooth, easy motion. Keep your body in this position until you're done.

5. Strip down each winch annually
Follow the winch manufacturer's maintenance recommendations to the letter. Once a year, strip down each winch. Clean all internal parts of old lubricant. Inspect the pawls and springs for wear or cracks; replace as needed. Apply new grease to the center drum and reassemble the winch.

Gain years of faithful service from all of your costly sailing winches--and make your own life under sail easier than you ever thought possible!

John Jamieson (Captain John) with 25+ years of experience shows you the no-nonsense cruising skills you need beyond sailing school. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com for a free sailing tips newsletter. Become a member for instant access to 550+ sailing skills articles, 100+ sailing video tutorials, 145+ sailing tips newsletters, 12+ sailing topic e-Books, and more!

Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeSwitch One DesignRooster 2025

Related Articles

America's Cup entries open on Sunday
A Cup in turmoil - has Grant Dalton dodged a bullet with the new Cup organisation? Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. Emirates Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton appears to have dodged a bullet with the formation of of new AC organising body.
Posted today at 4:19 am
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta day 1
Ideal conditions for starting the Southern Wind RendezVous and Trophy The 2025 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised by the YCCS with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani, got under way right on time today, 28 May 2025 at 11.30 a.m. on the waters off Porto Cervo.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup Power Plays
And Growing Sailing Through Learning There's always so much speculation and intrigue in-between each edition of the America's Cup. Everyone wants to know what is happening behind closed doors, inside the teams, and when the Challengers meet with the Defender.
Posted on 28 May
2025 is going to be a huge season for IMOCA
Antoine Mermod talks about the season ahead Over the next four years the most exciting monohull class in world offshore ocean racing will take on no less than 17 races, covering tens of thousands of miles of the world's oceans.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 28 May
Increased Crowds and Unrivalled Showcase
At 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days from 22-25 May 2025.
Posted on 28 May
CYCA team to take best shot at the Admiral's Cup
The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black during the Admiral's Cup to be held in Cowes from the Isle of Wight from 17 July - 1 August.
Posted on 28 May
Doyle Sails: Ragtime blends retro and modern
Launched in 1966, Infidel now Ragtime Sailing, has celebrated her 60th year with a refit Tina Roberts has beautifully restored Ragtime Sailing in honour of her late partner's wishes, choosing Doyle Sails not only for the world-class sails but for the depth of experience, personal commitment, and collaborative support that define the team.
Posted on 28 May
The Ocean's Logbook amplifies global voices
A digital survey that looks beyond cold statistics to capture real stories A powerful new campaign designed to capture the world's emotional connection to the ocean is being launched today ahead of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France in June.
Posted on 27 May
SP80 kiteboat reaches a top speed of over 58 knots
100 km/h barrier is smashed in Leucate The SP80 kiteboat has reached a top speed of over 58 knots, or 108 km/h. This new personal best makes SP80 the second fastest sailboat ever recorded, behind Vestas Sailrocket II and its 68.01-knot top speed.
Posted on 27 May