Bryan wrote:
Courtney,

You surge the winch by keeping your hand on the drum over the sheet and ease
with your other hand. With 4 or 5 wraps on a loaded winch your hand that is
on the winch acts like a friction brake. I like to watch the luff break
when tacking and ease the sheet into the break. Then spin the sheet off the
winch by pulling straight up when the jib comes on the cap shrouds. Make
sure the sheet is ready to run prior to tacking. The process is the same
with self tailing winches but it is tougher to get sheet up off the winch.

Good luck,

Bryan


"Terry K" wrote in message
ups.com...

Well, as the helm goes over, I just watch as the self tending jib tacks
itself.

I know it sounds difficult, but I do nothing whatsoever as it tacks in
about 2 seconds, all by itself.

There is nothing to do unless I want to disengage the automatic, in
which case, I just let go the boom lifter, or as I call it the
"elevator" line, or third jib sheet. The jib boom falls to the deck,
and the usual sheets are employed in the usual manner, in which case,
as soon as the jib goes floppy, I release the working sheet and take in
the lazy sheet.

I seldom need to use the winch handles, as I simply wrap the sheet
around the working winch, and then lead the sheet across the cockpit
and around the lazy winch. By tailing the double winched line while
alternatively pushing with my hip on the part crossing the cockpit, I
can "skootch" the jib in as hard as it needs, using only one hand to
tail it.

The best learning method is to just go do it wrong until you get it
right. It's called experience.

Terry K




Thanks Bryan.

That's what I've been doing but haven't gotten caught out yet in a
howler with serious loading that I couldn't handle and was curious if
anyone had any other technique for more dire circumstances.

Courtney