Winch on centerboard

Submitted by Brian Dellett on Sat, 04/26/2014 - 20:15
Forums: 
Maintenance, Repairs, Changes, and Upgrades

My buddy just bought a Scot and it has a four inch winch on the centerboard trunk cap. It's #3000 something and has the angled kick up piece which is where the winch is. Has anyone seen this before? The seller bought it used and didn't know what it was for either.
Thoughts?

Honeybadger's picture

Honeybadger

Sat, 04/26/2014 - 22:03

2450 had same winch.  I just removed it.  Did not serve any real purpose.  It could have once been used to help raise the centerboard.

Honeybadger's picture

Honeybadger

Sat, 04/26/2014 - 22:18

2450 had same winch.  I just removed it.  Did not serve any real purpose.  It could have once been used to help raise the centerboard.

sawyerspadre

Mon, 04/28/2014 - 07:47

We will need a Scot veteran to comment.  I think that may have been used for the mainsheet back in the day, when the mainsheet came from the boom in a different way.
It may have also been for the jib.  Sandy was never one to use a cleat on the jib or main.  He thought you should hold it and continuously trim, for max speed.
 
 

phebejim's picture

phebejim

Mon, 04/28/2014 - 15:39

Phil is right. My boat has the original setup. The mainsheet comes through a ratchet block on the end of the boom. One uses the winch to ease tension on the sheet. 
I also think Sandy was right---don't cleat the mainsheet--- both because it should be constantly trimmed and to greatly reduce the chances of capsizing.

Brian Dellett

Mon, 04/28/2014 - 21:28

Trying to visualize the set up. Block on the tiller ? End of boom and mid boom down to the winch?
Or does it come to the winch at an angle from the back end of the boom?

wojtase1

Tue, 04/29/2014 - 11:31

Yea the main came from the back of the boom to that winch and there was no mid boom block.  That is the only way that it could be reefed too.  Seems crazy to have a setup like that but I guess some people swore by it... ...or at it.

phebejim's picture

phebejim

Tue, 04/29/2014 - 12:57

The boom was designed to make roller reefing posible. With the main sheet coming from the end of the boom the mainsail could be rolled up on the boom like a window shade. However, when I've tried it the resulting sail shape was too full thereby reducing the desired effect of reefing. 
I've subsequently gone to jiffy reefing.

Brian Dellett

Tue, 04/29/2014 - 17:30

Hmmm. Thx.

Brian Dellett

Wed, 04/30/2014 - 08:53

How did the skipper easily switch sides? Or it wasn't easy but just dealt with and the reason for the change?

phebejim's picture

phebejim

Wed, 04/30/2014 - 17:18

When coming about the helmsperson first stands and then turns toward the stern while swapping the mainsheet and tiller extension between hands. After turning 180 degrees he/she sits on the new windward side of the boat.
At first it seems a bit awkward but people get used to it quite quickly. It is slightly disconcerting to take ones eyes off what's ahead, if only momentarily.

Brian Dellett

Wed, 04/30/2014 - 21:23

Thx