Equipment upgrades - Pontos Grinder 40 winches

As we have tried to sail in more diverse conditions in racing mode we have begun to find several places where we are sub optimal and need to improve our equipment. The first relates to clamping the genoa furling line and the second concerns the simultaneous use of genoa and spinnaker sheets.

Over the winter we re-routed the genoa furling line along the stanchions and this has been a dramatic time and energy saver. By using blocks the resistance to furl is dramatically reduced. However, when we need to reef we have been relying on using a cleat hitch on the stern cleat that also has a soft shackle attached for use with the spinnaker sheets. Not a good solution. Consequently I installed a cam cleat on the deck so that we could quickly clamp the furling line. Last week we managed to test the system in winds gusting to 30kts. As we furled the genoa, clamping the line into the cam cleat was simple and safe.  Additionally, when we turned to reach downwind and needed full sail a simple brief tug on the furling line unclamped the cam cleat and allowed the full sail to be deployed. Success.

The black camcleat installed on the deck

Winches:

Two new winches were delivered – I ordered the Pontos 40 Grinders.

Our problem is that we like to raise the spinnaker behind the genoa and need to tighten the spinnaker sheet while the genoa is still fully deployed. This needs two winches. We have tried all sorts of sheet attachments – spinnaker sheet to the mainsheet winch, the outhall winch, across the boat to the lazy sheet winch. Although they can work, it is cumbersome and frankly dangerous as we then end up needing to take other lines to abnormal locations for tensioning. Given that I have the goal of more double and solo racing I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a second set of winches so that we always have a set for genoa and spinnaker.

Rather than repeating the Harken winches I decided to try the Pontos 4 speed winches. These are a recent innovation that come in two flavors; either the grinder or the trimmer. Both are four speed winches but with important distinctions.

Pontos Grinder 40 fresh out of the box

The trimmer is very useful to get lower gears for high load applications. The first two gears are equivalent to existing winch gears but when load is detected in the second gear an automatic clutch deploys so that with a reverse turn of the winch handle a third and fourth gear are available. A good reason for the trimmer is as less expensive alternative to an electric winch for high load applications. Trying to get the last few inches of the genoa sheet tightened – go to third and fourth gear and it can be done with one hand. As I age and strength declines this might be a good alternative winch. Although my frequency of going to the gym is increasing to delay the need for the trimmer.

The grinder is designed to allow rapid sheeting of long lengths of sheet. For example, during a solo tack the lazy sheet is attached into the self tailing system (prior to the tack) and rather than pulling the sheet in and then self tailing, the idea is to winch in first gear and one is able to winch in 6x greater amount of sheet per revolution of the winch. As one shifts up through the gears you end up in top gear with the equivalent power as a standard winch, unlike the trimmer that allows increased power for the final trim.

I installed the winches on the deck, and added a 1/4inch aluminum backing plate. They aren’t going anywhere!

 Installed and ready to go

We had a test on Wednesday night in our around the buoy race and having the extra winches made a huge difference. We can deploy the spinnaker behind the genoa really quickly. However, the different winching strategy will take a little time to get used to. But I am optimistic especially for shorthanded sailing either cruising or racing.

Tonight I head off solo to Gloucester and back in the June Moon overnight race. Will see how they work for me as it looks like some of the sailing will need the spinnaker.