On Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:50:51 -0700, in message
tions
"Capt. JG" wrote:

"Ryk" wrote in message

I cleat the furling line, then tension the sheets around the winch by
hand. Using a winch handle could overstress things, but hand tight on
a winch is the same as hand tight to a cleat. I don't think I have any
line on board that I could overload by hand.


I don't like putting stress on a winch if I don't need to. Perhaps that's
just me.

I think I could probably overstress the jib sheets around the winch if I put
my back into it, but that would be foolish. There is a difference in the
size of the line, and it seems to me that just by weight there would be more
pressure from the jib sheet side.

If you are pulling on a line fed around a winch the tension will be
the same on both sides (neglecting friction). The mechanical advantage
comes only from the handle and gearing combined with the friction on
the drum.

Ryk