Page 64 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Figure 2-25. A self-tailing winch ingeniously eliminates the need for a human tailer. Since they’re not fail-
safe, don’t trust yourself to a self-tailer when going aloft. Note that if the winch is worked with the standing
part at the angle shown, an override will result; the standing part should lead slightly downward (dotted
line). (Margaret Wilson-Briggs)

are two more candidates for block-and-winch team-
work. An extra part or two on a purchase means you
can go with a smaller winch that will receive less
strain than a larger one doing the job all by itself.
A modern sail plan comprises a few large, very
powerful sails. The intent is to produce greater
efficiency and less complexity than the traditional
approach of more and smaller sails. But the mod-
ern sail plan concentrates forces to such an extent
that a large, expensive machine—the winch—is the
only practicable way to make things work. Largely
because of market pressures, boat manufacturers
tend to fit winches that are smaller (and thus cheaper)
than you and I might consider ideal. Smaller winches
are less powerful, so the price we pay for lower cost is
increased physical effort. What is more, every winch
suffers some loss of efficiency due to internal friction,
even when it is exquisitely maintained.
How big, then, does a winch have to be to
overcome both the pull of the sails and its own
drag? The answer starts with how much effort is
acceptable for you. For most people, 35 pounds
(15.9 kg) is a comfortable maximum sustained load.
Figure 2-26. Human tailer.
An undersized and/or badly-maintained winch

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