How much can you winch the halyard?

[Craig LaForce]

Thank You for the advice about cutting the bolt rope stiching. I cut mine yesterday and noticed a huge difference in performance.

Thank You Thank You Thank You.

[nemo]

RandyMoon, Similar to TheyTheirs' suggestion, you could just try and run one slide along the track by hand with the mast lowered horizontal - just to check the most basic smooth operation near the top end of the mast. BWY suggests using silicone spray in the track.

By the way, do you use a rope clutch on the deck for your main halyard? I do and find it awkward to even use the winch due to the halyard being pulled to the side and upward as it leads to the winch. Here's a picture of my set up - is this like yours?

http://www.brownz.com/rope_clutches.JPG

[RandyMoon]

I have tried standing beside the mast and also using my halyard aft line along with Sailkote and Liquid Wrench silicone. I did cut my boltrope and last weekend could get the sailing tighter than in the past. I think I am getting closer.

Yes, my rigging looks like yours.