Moving Mast Winch

Hello All, I have a Cal 31 and would like to run the main halyard back to the cockpit for easier single-handling. Is it advisable to move the mast-mounted winch back to the cockpit and mount there or better to just get a new winch and install it? Recommended size/type winch for this? Anybody that's done this and has suggestions (or photos) would be much appreciated. I have it conceptually laid out in my head but would love to hear from others. Thanks in advance, John Stacklyn Cal 31 #33 "Sol Survivor" Shell Point, FL

Hi John, I ran mine back to the cockpit on the stb side. There was already a winch there. At some point I plan on setting up a single line reefing system and have it come back to a set of spinlock rope clutches -one for reef and one for halyard. This will probably require shortening of the teak handrail on that side. I can send you a pic if you like. i will check on the size of winch I have too. Frank Cal31 -----Original Message----- From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of John Stacklyn Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 6:42 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Moving Mast Winch Hello All, I have a Cal 31 and would like to run the main halyard back to the cockpit for easier single-handling. Is it advisable to move the mast-mounted winch back to the cockpit and mount there or better to just get a new winch and install it? Recommended size/type winch for this? Anybody that's done this and has suggestions (or photos) would be much appreciated. I have it conceptually laid out in my head but would love to hear from others. Thanks in advance, John Stacklyn Cal 31 #33 "Sol Survivor" Shell Point, FL

Hi John, I have moved both halyards as well as the lift for the pole and my mainsheet back to the cockpit on a 3-34. I also installed the traveler on the coach roof and ran the lines back for that also. Everything runs through clutches and is handled by one #10 Barrient winch, set up behind the clutches. I left the #10 winches on the mast, I like redundency. If you would like some photos of the set up, contact me off list @ gl… [at] msn.com<mailto:gl… [at] msn.com> and I'll send you some photos. Glen ----- Original Message ----- From: John Stacklyn<mailto:st… [at] earthlink.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 6:41 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Moving Mast Winch Hello All, I have a Cal 31 and would like to run the main halyard back to the cockpit for easier single-handling. Is it advisable to move the mast-mounted winch back to the cockpit and mount there or better to just get a new winch and install it? Recommended size/type winch for this? Anybody that's done this and has suggestions (or photos) would be much appreciated. I have it conceptually laid out in my head but would love to hear from others. Thanks in advance, John Stacklyn Cal 31 #33 "Sol Survivor" Shell Point, FL

John, Before you start making lots of modifications, are you sure that leading the halyard(s) back to the cockpit will make for easier singlehanding? It has been my experience that it makes things more difficult. I recently purchased a Cal 31 and am in the process of optimizing it for singlehanding plus adding spinnaker gear (strictly plain jane cruiser before). I'm keeping everything on the mast because I like to make only one trip forward for any sail handling. Jack

I have to agree with Jack, I'm not sure it's worth the effort or cost to lead the mainsheet to cockpit. It adds friction to the process and adds clutter to cockpit. I’m not a fan of single line reefing either because of the friction issues (plus you have to go forward anyway to tie the cringles). I do 90% of my sailing single handed and have to reef at some point almost every weekend and I like having simple slab reefing and having everything at the mast. Dave 80 Cal 35 MkI, Runnin Late Coyote Pt, SF Bay egiajack <jg… [at] erols.com> wrote: John, Before you start making lots of modifications, are you sure that leading the halyard(s) back to the cockpit will make for easier singlehanding? It has been my experience that it makes things more difficult. I recently purchased a Cal 31 and am in the process of optimizing it for singlehanding plus adding spinnaker gear (strictly plain jane cruiser before). I'm keeping everything on the mast because I like to make only one trip forward for any sail handling. Jack --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

Hi John, Say your post on the Cal list. I have a bunch of good used winches, from a Maxwell 17 ST to huge old Merrimans and everything in between. Call 850-572-1225 or contact me off the list: ol… [at] bshmarine.com Tom Vandiver, Bayou Chico, Pensacola --- John Stacklyn <st… [at] earthlink.net> wrote: > Hello All, > > I have a Cal 31 and would like to run the main > halyard back to the cockpit for easier > single-handling. Is it advisable to move the > mast-mounted winch back to the cockpit and mount > there or better to just get a new winch and install > it? Recommended size/type winch for this? Anybody > that's done this and has suggestions (or photos) > would be much appreciated. I have it conceptually > laid out in my head but would love to hear from > others. > > Thanks in advance, > John Stacklyn > Cal 31 #33 "Sol Survivor" > Shell Point, FL