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15. Electric Winches:
Your yacht has powerful winches making raising, setting, and trimming the sails a breeze!
However, it is very tempting to grind away or just press the button and enjoy the effortless
feeling ….
BUT it is also very important for you to monitor the halyards, furling lines, sheets,
and sails.
If you continue to grind on a winch or press the electric winch button longer than necessary and
over-tension the halyards, sheets, or other control lines, you can cause severe damage to the
sails, or even the mast. When using a winch, it is imperative that you watch the sails being
hoisted or unfurled/furled and DO NOT OVER-TENSION on the winch. On roller mainsails, do
not take the clew beyond the black band on the boom. Ease the inhaul line as you pull on the
outhaul and vice versa when putting the sail away. Set the jib by easing the furling line and
pulling on the sheet and furl it by pulling on the furling line with two turns around the winch,
pulling by hand on a broad reach – you should only need a winch handle (and two more turns on
the winch) if it is very windy. Look at your sails when they are set – do they look good?
Remember, a flappy sail is an unhappy sail! Check all the reefing lines, check the lazy jacks, the
topping lift tension – none when you are sailing. Remember to re-tension it before you drop the
sail though. Do not open clutches under load, always take the load onto a winch first. Ask us for
any tips to get the most out of sailing your yacht.
Any damage caused by the misuse of winches is negligence and is NOT covered on your HDW
Insurance and repairs must be paid for in full by yourselves. The resultant damage may also
result in immediate cancellation of your charter.
Two speed electric
winch