Main Halyard Angle Too Great From Base Of Mast To Winch?

[YPSILANTI]

My main sail halyard exists the base of my mast via a pulley and feeds onto my winch at an excessive angle. It is obvious when winching that there is massive tension which I suspect is aggravated by the angle being too high. The halyard rubs against the base of the winch. I suspect that I should install a roller abeam the winch to raise the halyard slightly to reduce the angle. I'm also aware that there should be some angle as apposed to near horizontal such that the halyard can enter the winch drum correctly. Is this suggestion a reasonable solution or is there a better solution. Should I not do anything at all? Any comments, suggestions and solutions will be welcomed. see pic below.

[YPSILANTI]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...1&d=1509287054

[UNCIVILIZED]

Yeah, that line entry angle onto the winch drum is way, way too steep. If memory serves, you want a line to approach the winch at like 5-7 degrees. A little digging around on the Harken website will turn up the numbers. Look in "Product Support", or just run a search via their search engine under winch mounting & similar phrases.

Normally, one either puts a riser underneath of the block so that the lines lead to the winch at the proper angle, or an angled shim/base is put underneath of the winch, so as to create the correct lead angle. It's either that, or move the block & the winch much further apart. So as to, again, create the proper angle. This time by using distance to alter the lead angle.

Some of which route you choose will depend on how your hardware is currently attached, what's belowdecks, underneath of it, & the loads that the various bits see. With one other one being whether or not you use the winch for other lines, or plan to, & if so what the best way will then be to have the winch be user friendly to the majority of the lines you may use it for.

[admiralslater]

I would try and stack another organizer on top of existing . Failing that tilt the winch . On our 36 we set the winch pads up with a double angle one for the halyards etc. and the other for the jib and spinnaker sheets .

[admiralslater]

Why is that winch not on the mast

[roverhi]

An over the top block with a suitable pad to get the proper lead to the winch would also work though doubt it would lesson the force required to haul in the line. The lead is not ideal but doubt that that it is the reason for the tension on what I assume is a halyard.

[YPSILANTI]

Tks so much for the very helpful replies. Lewmar advise 5 to 10 degrees angle for halyards / sheets onto a winch and Harken 8. Yes, I do intend utilizing the other pulleys at the base of the mast. I will examine the suggestions furnished for the best solution. I suspect that the winch isn't on the mast as its an electric winch. The boat is a 50 ft cat. Much appreciated.

[Privilege]

I agree that a block on top of your existing organizer might be the easiest option. A spectra loop around the existing block with a block on the spectra might work. As far as the excessive tension is concerned, it is possible that the tension is normal it just feels excessive because of the sheet angle. The force on the sheet is pushing the winch downwards. Winches are not designed to have the forces pushing them onto their base so the winch is requiring a lot more elbow grease to turn.

[Privilege]

Even if a temporary fix, it's an easy fix and will give you the answer as to whether excessive tension is an issue.

[Sailorbob8599]

Originally Posted by YPSILANTI

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...1&d=1509287054

I think the problem here is, your boat is lying on its side.

[TheThunderbird]

I would raise the organizer, sitting on a wooden log.

Pulleys' diameter is?? They look small (2")? 3" is better, just consider...

[admiralslater]

Thunderbird ,nice idea but it appears to be welded to the mast step .

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by Privilege

Even if a temporary fix, it's an easy fix and will give you the answer as to whether excessive tension is an issue.

Attachment 158558

I agree, try a spectra soft shackle around the original block.

[NevisDog]

Originally Posted by admiralslater

Thunderbird ,nice idea but it appears to be welded to the mast step.

If so, then leave it there and mount a similar series of blocks on top, using it as a base? Looks to be about the right height as substitute for that block of wood proposed by Thunderbird (and it's about as much use there as a block of wood anyway).

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Privilege

Even if a temporary fix, it's an easy fix and will give you the answer as to whether excessive tension is an issue.

Attachment 158558

This. Then you will know if it is worth bothering. If it is, tilting the winch seems simple and harmless.

But the bottom line is that are at least 10 good reasons for high friction when hoisting, and it may be several of them.