Has anyone installed a mast mounted winch for the main halyard? With a jammer as well. How was it done? I’m strongly considering it, but want to make sure it’s plenty strong and not damage the mast in the process.
What problem are you trying to solve? On my F25, the main halyard goes to a block at the base of the mast, along the top of the cabin, through a lock, to the winch. Everything controlled from the cockpit, no need to go forward.
Best way to make sure your mast is undamaged: don’t drill any holes into it.
1 Like
Fair question, though it brings up a can of worms and personal preference that has been debated ad nauseam through sailing forums across the internet. So the following is just based on personal preference and 30 yrs of offshore sailing.
TLDR; I have two goals: simplify reefing and reduce the tangle of lines in the cockpit.
Currently with single line reefing and two reef points there are 8 lines per sail led to the cockpit (halyard, vang, outhaul, reefs (2), traveler (2), sheet). So 16 with on the F39E between main and mizzen. I’m planning to go offshore so I’m also adding a third reef to the main sail at least. But to me the single line reefing system doesn’t work - too much friction, I have to go forward anyway most of the time to untangle it, etc. So I want to set up simple traditional slab reefing with all controls at or around the mast. Reefing line controls on the boom are straight forward, but the halyard winch has given me pause. And I know, safety in the cockpit etc, but I’ve been going forward in all conditions for a long time and am personally comfortable and even prefer it. It gives me a better feel of control and perspective on what’s happening, particularly in gnarly conditions.
My second choice for the halyards is to put a winch on deck on the port side of the Mizzen mast, and run the two halyards there with turning blocks and jammers. That adds some friction and grinding over a deck winch isn’t my favorite thing to do, but may be acceptable.
You could use the same
approach as for the gooseneck: a steel collar stratified to the mast with a mount for the winch.
But … is it worth risking the integrity of a carbon mast that is not widely produced anymore?