BLUE FLAG SAILORS-SAILING ACADEMY
Winches
WINCH USE AND MAINTENANCE
WINCH CREW
The Winch Grinder
Before a Sailing Maneuver, The Grinder always prepares the Winch by
wrapping the potential working Line clockwise around the winch drum
with Two to Four wraps, depending on the force of the wind.
The Grinder always keeps fingers clear and away from the Winch when
Wrapping Lines.
The Grinder uses both hands on the winch handle when Grinding.
The Grinder stands with his/her body directly over the Winch.
When finished with the Winch, the grinder unwraps the line off the
Winch Drum (i.e., counter-clockwise), remembering to hold the Tail
(Fall) free and clear of the Winch when unwrapping.
The Winch Tailer
The Tailer always stands facing Fore or Aft behind the Grinder.
The Tailer should have plenty of elbow room.
The Tailer must hold the line overhand with thumbs out.
The Tailer reaches forward a full arm length with an overhand grasp
on the Winch Tail, pulling the Line as the Grinder turns the Winch
handle, making sure that the Line is always Taut on the Winch Drum
with elbows moving completely straight behind with each pull.
The Winch Trimmer
(e.g., The Jib)
The Trimmer takes up the Tail of the Line (e.g., The Jib Sheet)
immediately when Grinding is finished.
The Trimmer concentrates on looking forward and up at the Slot
between the Jib and the Mainsail.
The Trimmer constantly observes the Leech of the Jib.
The Trimmer puts Tension on the Line thus, tightening it around the
Winch Drum in order for the Grinder to Sheet in.
Sheeting out is done by the Trimmer letting the Jib Sheet loose on
the Winch Drum.
Winch Handles
Always keep Winch Handles Sercured in the Winch Boot.
Winch Drum Overrides
Overrides are caused by Lines that are Led too high, or when there
are too many Wraps around the Winch drum, or when Tailing is too
slow, or if the working Line is Fouled with other Lines.
Overrides can be freed by using a Changing Sheet or Rolling Hitch
to a second Winch.
Trimming and Tailing When Tacking
(An Example With Crew Members)
Helm Gives the Command, “Ready About” and waits for the response,
"Ready" from the Crew before Tacking.
The Tailer presets the new Sheet on the Open Winch opposite of the
Working Winch, making it ready for the Tack.
After “Ready” is heard from all Hands, Helm responds, “Hard-a-Lee”
or “Helm’s Down” and commences to Steer the boat through the
Eye-Of-The-Wind.
The Backstay is Eased to induce power in the Genoa and Mainsail.
The Mainsail Trimmer Draws the Traveler to Weather, to make it ready for
the new Tack.
The Headsail trimmer calls "Break" and unwinds the old sheet off the
leeward winch drum.
The Foredeck Crew clears the Clew around the Mast and brings it Aft
to the Block.
The Mainsail Trimmer Cleats the Traveller on the new Tack.
Helm accelerates the turn to the new Tack and oversteers slightly,
keeping the Helm steady just above Head-To-Wind.
The Tailer then takes up the Slack of the Sheet while the Foredeck
Crew ensures that the Headsail Clew does not catch on the Mast or
Sidestays and that the Leech is off the Spreaders.
The Tailer Trims the Clew fully before the Sail Fills.
The Tailer then moves to the High Side as the Trimmer gets in position.
The Trimmer then moves to the High Side while the Tailer takes up the
slack of the Jib Sheet.
The Trimmer Grinds in to take up the Sheet and the Tailer keeps the
Line Taut to give it Purchase.
The Tailer loosens the Wrap on the Winch when the Line is Eased out
for the Headsail.
The Trimmer gauges the limit by distance of the Clew from the Block
and/or the distance of the leech from the spreaders, continuously
adjusting to maintain power.
The Trimmer then takes the Sheet from the Tailer and Trims the Sail.
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