Has anyone added extra winches or run lines aft?

[Moderator]

We’re still thinking of getting a “code zero” type asymmetrical spinnaker, and the sailmaker says we should have a downhaul at the tack, with the line run aft to the cockpit.

The big problem we see, is that there are no free winches available in the cockpit to control this downhaul line. The primaries will be used for the spinnaker sheets, and the main winch is just in the wrong place.

Has anyone added extra winches in the cockpit area, or run lines aft to the cockpit – and if so, how did you do it? Has anyone run lines aft over the cabin top and under the windscreen into the cockpit?

If we cannot figure out how to do the downhaul idea, we plan to tighten the asymmetrical spinnaker luff using the haylard – but this requires controlling the luff tension from the mast, while the sheets are controlled from the cockpit – which might be annoying.

Any ideas/advice welcome.

Marilyn and Van (Rainshadow)

[Ronar M]

Hi M & V

I have an asymmetric and manage very well without extra winches. I only use one sheet reckoning that I am very umlikely to want to tack – I only use it on long runs on one tack. I take the genoa sheets off the primary winches (they stow away on the cleats on the forward end of the cockpit coaming) and use the primary winches for the chute. The tack line goes to the windward winch via a block attached just behind the forestay fitting (the after hole) and the sheet to the leeward winch via a block on the deck fitting just ahead of the mizzen shrouds. Works well. Cheers, Trevor

[Suala]

Thanks for the advice Trevor. I have just purchased an asymmetrical 270m2 from Crusader sails in UK and have been thinking how to place the running rigging myself. Your solution looks good. I am going to give it a try. Brian – Suala

[Suala]

Marylin, I have a winch on the aft cabin coach roof port side similar position to the winches on Starboard for the main and mizzen sheets . It is used for the Genoa Furler but could easily be doubled up for tensioning the Tack. A block just ahead of the mizzen shroud like Trevor uses should work. I haven’t tried it but it’s worth a try. Brian

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