High loads exert enormous pressure on Genoa sheet lines. This oversized primary winch can control a 790 square foot Genoa headsail on a Passport 50 cutter.

Did you know that in just 15 knots of wind, a large 150% Genoa can exert over 750 pounds of pressure? Or that without the correct number of wraps around a winch, you will lose pulling and hauling power--and need to work harder than necessary?

Winch power replaces human power to handle the heavy loads exerted on your headsails. I recently crewed on a Passport 50 cutter that carried a 790 square foot Genoa headsail.

To determine the amount of pull exerted on a headsail sheet, multiply the sail area by the square of the wind speed; divide the result by 232*. In 15 knots, sail force would be 766 pounds! (790 X 225 / 232 = 766). (*formula from "The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge" by John Vigor)

Winches come in single-, two- or three-speed variations. Single-speed winches turn in one direction. Two and three-speed winches turn in both directions. Like bicycle gears, you get more speed in one direction and more power in the other.

Some winches--called self tailing winches--have two clam shell plates on top to grip the sheet. This makes it unnecessary to tail (hold and pull) the sheet or cleat it off. It also frees up both of your hands for cranking.

So how can you get more power, efficiency and life from your sheet and halyard winches? Make your winches work harder with these five easy steps:

Lead the line from the load to the winch at an angle greater than 90 degrees. The loaded line on this halyard winch (left side) has a good angle to prevent overrides. Wrap the line 3 to 4 times around the drum to hold the loaded line onto the winch drum.

1. Lead sheet lines at a proper angle

Make the headsail sheet rise up to meet the winch drum. Keep the angle greater than 90 degrees.

This helps avoid winch overrides, where the turns jam and freeze onto the drum. If necessary, lead the sheet to a second block and then up to the drum.

2. Wrap the drum and haul around

Remove the winch handle (if installed). Start near the base and wrap three to four clockwise turns around the winch drum (both photos).

Pull on the hauling part to remove excess slack. Insert the handle after you remove all slack from the sheet or halyard.

3. Choose the best winch handle length

Captain John sail trimming the Genoa on the Passport 50. For maximum winch power bend the knees, keep the back straight, and hover over the winch so that you can look straight down at the winch drum.

Measure the radius at the top of the winch. Determine the distance from the center out to the drum's edge. Multiply this distance by 4. Use a winch handle this long for good mechanical advantage.

For example, if you measure 2.5 inches, use a 10 inch handle; if you measure 3 inches, use a 12 inch handle.

4. Position your body over the drum

Stand or crouch next to the winch. Hover your body over the winch so that you can look straight down at the top of the winch. Insert the winch handle and crank in a smooth, easy motion. Keep your body in this position until you're done.

5. Strip down each winch annually

Follow the winch manufacturer's maintenance recommendations to the letter. Once a year, strip down each winch. Clean all internal parts of old lubricant. Inspect the pawls and springs for wear or cracks; replace as needed. Apply new grease to the center drum and reassemble the winch.

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Learn to sail like a pro when you put these five sailing winch secrets into play on your small cruising or racing sailboat today.

Gain years of faithful service from all of your costly sailing winches--and make your own life under sail easier than you ever thought possible!

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