DSK wrote:
Courtney Thomas wrote:

For sheets unders 'serious' pressure, what techique(s) best facilitate
tacking ?

Please address the process using plain/older winches, as well as the
latest.


???

Not sure what you mean here. Why does tacking need to be "facilitated"?
There is a bit of skill in the timing of a tack (this is where a good
skipper can help the crew by telling them specifically when to unwrap
the old sheet, strip it, etc etc). The crew should be able to at least
watch the jib clew's progress and know when to haul on the new sheet &
when to crank (and when to dart forward & free it).

If you are talking about talking a big genoa with old rattley winches
with the knurling worn off, don't. Get them rebuilt & resurfaced, at a
minimum.

The process for tacking expeditiously is the same with self-tailers and
non-self-tailers. The crew stripping the old sheet needs to take a
little more care with self-tailers, is all.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Doug,

Thanks for your reply.
Who can resurface the knurling on winches and any idea what it costs ?

Cordially,
Courtney

Courtney Thomas wrote:
Thanks for your reply.
Who can resurface the knurling on winches and any idea what it costs ?


I had a set re-surfaced for free at the high school machine
shop, but that was years ago. I bet just about any shop
could do it, and it should cost one heck of a lot less than
new winches.

If you wanted to get fancy, you could have them replated
first. I happen to like "deck jewelry" but admit it's due to
my non-utilitarian aesthetic tastes.

Some good answers here. I like the trick about
cross-sheeting with two winches to sweat the genny in...
used to do that years ago, it works for spinnaker guys too.
When using your hand on the wraps to control the sheet while
easing, be careful nothing gets pulled into the winch. I've
caught thumb several times doing this ... most people would
probably learn after it happens once, but it's very painful,
can break bones or even sever body parts.... not recommended.

A lot times, when sailing short-handed, the skipper can
handle casting off the genny sheet. The crew should still
strip it out for him so as to minimize the chances of it
getting caught or stepped on.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King