sailboat seamanship 195
How to Remove a Jammed Sheet from a Winch
An improper lead from a jib or genoa sheet lead block to the sheet winch can
cause a line to jam, or override, on the winch drum. Once these turns jam
up, you’ll find it virtually impossible to remove the turns by hand, except in
the lightest air. Overrides can occur when a sheet block is positioned above
the winch, causing the line to lead at a downward angle to the winch drum.
Change the lead angle by passing the line through another block that is even
with or lower than the winch. Keeping fairlead angles greater than 90 degrees
prevents most override problems.
When an override does occur, follow these steps to clear those frozen
turns.
Luff -up or limited-time method. First, pinch up into the wind, luff the
headsail, and attempt to unwrap the override. Reposition the sheet block to
provide a good angle to the leeward winch as described earlier.
Block and sheet winch method. Use this method if the luff -up method fails to
work. (See illustration next page.)
- Position a snatch block on the leeward rail aft of the jammed winch.
- Using a length of line of equal diameter to the sheet, bend a rolling hitch
(see Chapter 11) onto the jammed sheet between the headsail lead block
and the override. - Lead this new line through the leeward snatch block and across the cockpit
to the windward sheet winch (boats with a second winch on the same side
should lead the line to that winch). - Th e crew working the windward winch should position themselves outside
the bight of the line. Grind on the windward winch to remove the load from
the jammed sheet. Remove the override. Reposition the sheet lead block
to give a proper lead angle to the leeward winch before taking turns on the
winch.
SEA-CRET TIP
X Take care that crew do not place themselves in the bight of a line
under load. Rig the line, block, and winch to remove an override
with this in mind. Always stay to the outside of a loaded bight of
line—never inside.