Winch handle technique when racing

[Stickinthemud57]

At the expense of exposing my ignorance, I'm going to pose a question:

When handling jib sheets when tacking, is it a good idea or bad idea to place the winch handle in what will be the active (leeward) winch before executing the tack?

In practice yesterday, my jib sheet handlers would first haul in the jib sheet, cleat it off, insert the winch handle, then trim the jib. I am wondering if there is any reason to not go ahead and insert the handle in what will become the leeward winch immediately prior to executing the tack. It seems to me it would make for a quicker operation with less fumbling around during that crucial process.

Of course, leaving the handle in the winch when it is not needed is not considered a good idea by most, and I agree, but I am not seeing the downside to inserting it immediately before executing a tack.

I look forward to thoughts and comments!

[Be Free]

I'm going to go out a limb here and assume we are talking about racing MacGregors. What I'm about to say may not be as applicable to other (larger) boats.

Let me start by saying I've never needed a winch to do anything with my jib sheets. Granted, I only use a standard hank-on jib so the forces are not as great as some of the larger foresails would produce. That said, I've never had any issues handling my jib sheets in any wind that I had any business sailing in and I don't drop the sails until I have sustained winds above 25 knots. I'll have long ago reefed the the main but my foresail choice is binary: it's there or it's not so it's going to see those 25 knot winds right up to the end.

That said, if I were going to use the winches for my jib sheets I would not put the handle in ahead of time. It is a potential tripping hazard, it will be in the way of the jib sheet (on my boat) unless the handle is consciously positioned to avoid it, and finally, all winch handles are suicidal and will take every opportunity to dive overboard at the least opportune time.

Keep your jib handle confined unless you are actively using it.

[C Buchs]

We don't race, but my bachelor's degree is in manufacturing engineering. So sometimes I can't help myself.

When going upwind, we usually pull the jib in super tight and use the winch handle to get the final tension. We prepare to tack by taking two turns around the winch with the lazy sheet, then put the winch handle in, then tack, pull the sheet up as tight as you can by hand, and finally use the handle to get the last bit of tension.

If you forget to put a couple of turns on the winch before putting the handle in, it can be more difficult to get the extra turns with it in the way.

Jeff

[Stickinthemud57]

We don't race, but my bachelor's degree is in manufacturing engineering. So sometimes I can't help myself.

When going upwind, we usually pull the jib in super tight and use the winch handle to get the final tension. We prepare to tack by taking two turns around the winch with the lazy sheet, then put the winch handle in, then tack, pull the sheet up as tight as you can by hand, and finally use the handle to get the last bit of tension.

If you forget to put a couple of turns on the winch before putting the handle in, it can be more difficult to get the extra turns with it in the way.

Jeff

You have described exactly the technique we (try to) use. Thanks for the input!