Buying winches

[Peter]

Going to change my yacht winches, 5 in total, from standard to self tailing, a very expensive hobby. My questions are, is there any real difference between the main winch manufactures i.e., Lewmar, Antal, Anderson, Harken, etc, in quality, finish, operation etc or does it come down to price. My second question, is thee is a good place to source winches from on supply and price, not so bothered if it is some where in the EU. Or even the US if there is some wonderful way of getting them into the UK without paying import duty.

Thanks

Peter

 

[jwilson]

Current Harken ST winches seem to have a very abrasive drum finish: mine (now just on two years old) still abrade rope surfaces far more than I'd like. I'm told they will get less abrasive in time. They grip well though! Also I'm seeing what looks like rust spots on the chrome finish now.

 

[gianenrico]

FWMC, I had for 16 years Barient winches in my previous boat and never experienced problems, just regular cleaning and lubricating (as a matter of fact, I should say rather IRREGULAR).
IMHO any known brand is acceptable, unles You have stringent requirements on, say, weight or other factors (possibility to a later upgrade to electrics, may be?)

 

[Graham_Wright]

There is a source of discount Lewmar winches which I will look up and relay. Around 20% discount if I remember correctly. Gentleman in Brightlingsea.

 

[homa]

Cheap...er winches

Alan of Heron Yacht Services, Brightlingsea Tel 01206 303695
I bought some brand new ST Lewmars from him a few years ago - he goes to all the boat jumbles and you can buy direct from him anytime.

I also note that Marinesuperstore is VERY competitive right now

 

[thalassa]

Andersen winches have only a few ribs as a friction surface, but the grip is surpisingly good. Only two turns of rope are often sufficient, and build quality is excellent.
Relatively small footprint, so easy to install.

 

[[3889]]

Being parsimonious, I have just bought a pair of Antal winches and the quality difference between them and the Lewmars on my previous boat is obvious. That said, if they do the job,which remains to be seen, it justifies the saving. Force 4 are doing decent discounts if you buy pairs of winches from them. A couple of items I have got from the US have been marked as commercial samples which seems to avoid duty.

 

[savageseadog]

[ QUOTE ]
Current Harken ST winches seem to have a very abrasive drum finish: mine (now just on two years old) still abrade rope surfaces far more than I'd like. I'm told they will get less abrasive in time. They grip well though! Also I'm seeing what looks like rust spots on the chrome finish now.

[/ QUOTE ]The abrasive finish will not weaken the rope at all, the strength is in the core.

 

[Jonny_H]

Harken equipment could be cheap at the moment if you buy from the US owing to the $ rates - just need to ensure it compensates for import duties etc.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Re: Cheap...er winches

That's the guy!

 

[isandell]

We have had Antal ST 30 2 speed for one season now. Not as heavy and solid as 30 year old Barlows, but no complaints. The lightly-ribbed drum grips extremely well and no sign of sheet wear yet.

I expect Lewmar or Harken would be better quality but at considerable extra cost and I think the Antals will do fine.

Very good price from Purple Marine.

Ian

 

[gardenshed]

Bought two lewmar 30CST's from Alan Beal at Heron Yacht Services in Brightlingsea last month. Best price that I could find including internet searching. He doesn't do internet, you have to phone him. He doesn't take credit cards so you have to send him a cheque. He will dispatch the winches before the funds clear and in my case, he called me to check that they had arrived safely and to make sure that I was happy with them. Service good enough to recommend to anyone.
The winches were in their lewmar packaging & manufactured within the last month (code etched on the base casting) so no second hand/display goods. He was about £20 per winch cheaper thean the next price and his shipping costs were also very competitive.

Winch Quality:
Compared to the old 30 two-speed that I removed (non self tailing) the new lewmar is better built, i.e. two set of of gears not one, stronger base/spindle & better quality of finish on the casting.
Lewmar vs other brands: I've not ever heard of significant differences, unless it is weight or colour match (classic boats or racing boats). Usually the only item that breaks are pawls and pawl springs. These are very similar in design for all the winches that I've ever stripped so as long as you clean and grease each year and don't overload the winch you should be OK.
I bought lewmars because all the other winches on board are lewmar.