[alberg30] More on mast winches

[finnus505 at aol.com]

From: finnus505 at aol.com

In a message dated 2/20/00 11:35:49 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
jbcundif at csinet.net writes:

<< Aside from the broken strands with meathooks
 causing a problem what is the other dangerous happenings...for instances
 what happens when you release the brake...how should the sail be lowered
 to do it safely.
     Jim >>
The danger of the reel winch is that if the handle gets away from you while 
there is force on the winch; ie; the sail is up, either hoisting, or 
lowering, the handle will start flying in circles as the weight of the sail 
pulls on the halyard, and could break your arm, or crack your skull. I have 
read accounts of this actualy happening.
In my previous post, I explained that I got away from this danger by cranking 
the brake adjustment as tight as it would go, so the winch cannot go 
backwards, and then taped the brake adjuatment handle in place, so noone will 
accidentaly loosen it.  With the brake tight, the winch can only go in one 
direction, and so is safe. to lower the sail, you use this winch as any 
other; you take the halyard off the winch completely, or leave a wrap on and 
let the friction of the drum control the weight of the sail, and the speed of 
lowering the sail you want.  
By removing that bronze guide, as I described in the previous post, you have 
the option of putting on, or taking off, wraps on the winch, just like a 
normal winch.
hope this helps, too, :)
Lee
Stargazer #255


 951412309.0