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Genoa sheets and runaway winches
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John Hollamby <annejohnholl@...>
When we replaced these sheets we made them two metres longer as the original lenth was inadequate when the other sheet was poled out.
Following that terrble tale of someones arm being wrenched off I have wondered what I would do in the same situation. I now know because the port winch started running of its own accord whilst we were in a marina with furled sails.It was likely to break the clew or the forestay or bring the mast down. Luckily I was in the cockpit and grabbed the tail as it poured off the winch to pull it out of the self tailer. My first attempt failed but luckily it worked at my second attempt and the forestay returned to its normal position. Hopefully nothing has been overstressed!! Why did it happen? Anne was cleaning the area in front of the wheel and had moved my plastic box containing a Leatherman and steering lock and put it on top of the controls...no problem. Then she put a bottle of liquid into the box which triggered the winch. As the controls were out of sight she could not imagine what had fired up the winch. Thought you would like to know! Regards, Anne and John, SM319 |
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John,
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Good "head's up" and whilst we don't have electric winches on our Santorin, we have occasionally activated the furlers and anchor windlass by setting things on the switches when moored or at anchor. Have tried to get in the habit of turning off the main breaker when done sailing - does that also deactivate the electric winches on a SM? Granted, we sometimes forget to turn it back on when hoisting anchor, but it's a small nuisance. Cheers, Craig Briggs - "Sangaris" - SN#68 --- In amelyachtowners@..., "John Hollamby"
<annejohnholl@...> wrote: .....the port winch started running of its own accord ... |
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John Hollamby <annejohnholl@...>
Hello Craig,
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On the Super Maramu the breakers for the anchor and the other electric winches are separate so that should not be a problem. In ten years we have never made this boo boo before and nor have we ever switched the winches off...ever. From now on we shall allways turn them off when we stop as we do with the instruments. I was astonished nothing broke as the forestay was pulled a long way back. Lesson learned. Best wishes from the Ionian, Anne and John, SM319 --- In amelyachtowners@..., "sv Sangaris" <sangaris@...> wrote:
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