Have other owners added a set of winches in the cockpit closer to the helm to make it easier to single hand these boats? I have single-handed my new to me Catalina 36 now about five times and find it pretty awkward to have to handle jib sheets on a winch that is about 3ft forward of the wheel. It would seem that adding winches back towards the helm would make it possible to simply slide left and right in the helm seat to handle the jib sheets. is this something that other owners have done? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Indigo, 1995 MKII, Charleston SC, SR/WK
I agree that the single set of cockpit foresheet winches are not in the most handy position. I've wondered if winches placed further back would be better as well. Problem is that there is no good position port side for that. The main cockpit and propane lockers make that impossible (I believe) on the port side, but may be posible starboard. However, I still find the overall cockpit design very functional.
Captain Moon
Waxing Moon
2002 C36 MK II #2105
Port Charlotte, FL
Tom Soko (one of our former commodores) relocated the primary winches (on his former C36 MkI, Julandra) further aft for this reason.
His page has photos of the installation: https://julandra.shutterfly.com/258 and here https://julandra.shutterfly.com/258#259
When singlehanding, I use a wireless remote to operate the Raymarine autopilot while tacking (I posted about this gizmo at www.catalina36.org/forum/general-discussion/wireless-auto-pilot-remote -- still works great after 7 years, and has an "autotack" function that does a 100 degree turn), which allows me to be forward of the wheel with easy access to the jib sheets and the traveller, so I don't really find the location of the primary winches that much of an issue.
And when I've got crew, the winch location is fine as it gives them something to do!
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
I agree, having another set of winches further back would be very helpful when singlehanding. On my boat, I would like to put some right above the winch handle pockets (see pic). Because the coaming width narrows as it goes aft, I think the winches would need to be smaller so the bases aren't wider than the coaming, so I'm not sure if it would be ideal.
Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC
I've seen arrangements where the winch was mounted on a plate that overhung the combing a bit, as needed. Of course, a solid backing plate is needed as well.
The bigger problem would be making sure that the location didn't impede a full 360 degree rotation of the winch handle (without banging into the framework for your bimini).
An example is the fact that the original location of the coach roof winches on the Mark I's (at least on mine) was absurd: one could only rotate the handles 180 degrees without interference from the dodger (maybe dodgers were not a thing in the 1980s?) The later C36s placed them more inboard (i.e., closer to the companionway) so that wasn't an issue (we relocated ours as well a few years ago, made cranking a whole lot easier).
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
My Raymarine autopilot has a nifty wireless remote and a "tack" function. I single hand most of the time and this allows me to be forward of the helm when tacking...so that is one work around for the problem
Al Fricke
S/V Jubilee San Francisco Bay
Catalina 36' MkII #1867
Universal 35-B
Thanks folks. Yes I agree that placement closer to helm seat would be tricky but at least my bimini frame would not pose the problem. I am still studying that specific issue. Yesterday I spent about 4 hours on the water singlehanding in 13-15 knots of wind. I purposely tacked and jibed numerous times to try to get a feel for current winch location. I spent a good bit of that time forward of the wheel using the autopilot to hold course or tack. Two things. Sitting forward and reaching back just feels uncomfortable. From the standpoint of natural feel sitting behind the wheel just "feels" more natural. Also my cockpit has that picnic table thing that makes cockpit movement pretty tricky. I am actually considering removing that table. This would majorly expand an already large cockpit and provide much better access to everything. So bottom line adding winches or even moving the current primaries is doable. I guess I will just study the issue further and get a better feel for things before making any major changes. To date I have only owned the boat one month and single handed her 3x. But thanks for the feedback... the links were especially helpful.
Indigo, 1995 MKII, Charleston SC, SR/WK
Thanks folks. Yes I agree that placement closer to helm seat would be tricky but at least my bimini frame would not pose the problem. I am still studying that specific issue. Yesterday I spent about 4 hours on the water singlehanding in 13-15 knots of wind. I purposely tacked and jibed numerous times to try to get a feel for current winch location. I spent a good bit of that time forward of the wheel using the autopilot to hold course or tack. Two things. Sitting forward and reaching back just feels uncomfortable. From the standpoint of natural feel sitting behind the wheel just "feels" more natural. Also my cockpit has that picnic table thing that makes cockpit movement pretty tricky. I am actually considering removing that table. This would majorly expand an already large cockpit and provide much better access to everything. So bottom line adding winches or even moving the current primaries is doable. I guess I will just study the issue further and get a better feel for things before making any major changes. To date I have only owned the boat one month and single handed her 3x. But thanks for the feedback... the links were especially helpful.
Indigo, 1995 MKII, Charleston SC, SR/WK
Jubilee does not have one of those stationary cockpit tables that interfere with operating the boat. We put a hinged fold up/down table on the binnacle. I much prefer this layout for what it's worth. Much more working space, easier to singlehand plus I salmon fish so that is easier as well
Al Fricke
S/V Jubilee San Francisco Bay
Catalina 36' MkII #1867
Universal 35-B
Hi,
When racing, are extremely useful to manage the spinnaker sheets and other ropes.
The manual of my C36 mk I, shows the placement for the additional winches.
Regards,
Eladio Vallina
C-36 TR EUREKA II
Hull 1122 (1991)
Home port Barcelona (Spain).
When single handing (most of my sailing is solo) if the sails are up I spend a fair amount of time forward of the helm and let the AP steer.
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
With approximately 36 years of standing in front of the helm while single handling my Catalina 30 as well as a Catalina 36 I do not find it uncomfortable at all and I do not use an AP.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine