[MHml] Winch vs Tackle

[Paul Nudd]

I only ever use one hand for winching the mainsheet.
The other hand is on the tiller.
For sheeting in most of the way I do it by hand, with 1 or 2 turns around the winch, just pulling on the tail brings the main in quickly as I am only pulling 3:1 so not very much rope. When it is in as far as I can do by hand I put 1 more turn around the winch then into the self tailer. Then handle into the winch and wind on high speed tillit gets too hard. This is often enough and really quick. if it needs more I use the low speed and when it is where I want it I take it out of the self tailer and cleat off in a cam cleat. then I drape the tail over the tiller so it is always handy for quick and easy release. Allof this is done with one hand on the tiller or crossbar at all times.
I love the system as it means I can always easily get the leech tension I want, without having to pull hard on the rope. Also I can easily release without burning my hands. And if I have crew I can just tail an keep control while the crew winds. Best of all is the way the system runs out when released. The only improvement I could make is to reduce the line size and perhaps reduce the ratio down to 2:1.
I use a Harken 44 STA so 88:1 would be plenty.
Paul Nudd
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