Which winch?

It’s well over a decade since new racing yacht designs moved away from the superficially neat systems of deck organisers and clutches for lines led aft that used to characterise both racers and cruisers alike.

In part this change in thinking was possible thanks to developments in materials technology – particularly the use of carbon and other composites in blocks and the advent of low friction rings. As a result, many individual lines are now led on a direct route to exactly the position at which they need to be trimmed.

Granted, some are still led aft in the same manner – this is invariably the best option for halyards, for example. Even then attention must be paid to minimising friction, along with the angle through which lines are deflected by deck organisers – the greater this angle, the more loads are increased.

Even the most sedate of cruisers should consider whether any controls would benefit from being re-routed in this manner. A heavy cruiser may not demand the effortlessly easy control that racers seek, but there’s nothing to be gained though needlessly difficult sail handling in a rising