Update January 2003:  I was given fiberglass winch stands from another commander owner and I used them instead of making wooden bases as proposed below.  I still intend to make the angled-top base for a cheek block, but for now I'm using a turning block located at the aft end of a new genoa track.

After approximately 35 years of being sailed with a jib rigged with 2:1 sheets,  this Pearson Commander is getting it's first set of winches.  Below are drawings of the existing platform off the starboard coaming for tending the sheets.  In 1965 winches were optional.

The "Philippine mahogany" platform is a wonderfully sculpted wing with a 3/8" diameter stainless steel strut through the deck.  On top of the platform is a sheave and a cam cleat mounted on a plate.  Like the original mainsheet blocks and the jib sheet blocks, this assembly is Tufnel.

EXISTING SHEETING PLATFORM DIAGRAM

The diagram below is what I am planning and would appreciate comments on.  It shows the starboard wood coaming with a new wood winch stand of laminated 1" thick layers of "Philippine mahogany".  I have located only one source in the NYC area for Red Lauan, incidentally (Condon, in White Plains.)  If anyone knows of sources on Long Island or in the city I'd like to hear about them.

PROPOSED WINCH AND BASE DIAGRAM

I am proposing the solid base it to be anchored with the existing 3/8" threaded stainless steel rod through the entire base and the deck.  In addition I'd add five or  six new wood screws (or lag bolts) through the deck and a backing plate.  I may use another layer of 1" wood for the backing plate, so I can fabricate it.  Also, the winch base will be screwed to the coaming with about six more wood screws, countersunk with finishing washers.  This is how the existing coaming is attached to the fiberglass as well, with a bead of non-permanent sealant at the joint with the deck.  I'd also use non-permanent, removable sealant (like 3M 4200) to bed the winch base on the deck and between the base and coaming.

I'm hoping the winch can be screwed in to the winch base with wood screws or lag bolts (as opposed to through-bolting) so it can be removed and/or serviced without removing the winch base and coaming assembly.

The Antal winches require the sheet entrance to be between 2 and 10 degrees from the horizontal.  These angles are shown in the above diagram toward the aft.  I am not sure what the angle will be from the forward genoa block, however, I am considering the addition of cheek blocks on a small, angled-top base about 2'-4" aft of the winches.  This will accommodate the addition of a head sail of a size that would require the genoa block to near the winch base otherwise creating a steep angle to the winch.

The existing platform strut is 4 feet aft of the cabin, just forward of the middle of my 9 foot long cockpit.  That puts is just about where the helmsperson can easily tend to the sheets.  Another possibility would be to locate the new winches forward of the existing platforms.  This appears to be what Pearson intended.   The sail plan drawings from Pearson show the winch location revised in December 1965.  The location scales off the drawing to be 18 inches aft of the cabin.  See partial scan of the sail plan below.

SAIL PLAN DIAGRAM

Please e-mail comments and suggestions to:
bogle@bway.net

Here are some related and unrelated links:
My Rudder Problem Page
Boom Vang Issues Page
Our 1965 Pearson Commander's Main Page
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