Which Winch

[Sneaky Pete]

Looking for advice on which size of primary winch to use for the genoa sheets, obviously self tailing but do I use 16, 30, 40 or bigger. What do these numbers mean.

 

[Dockhead]

Which wench? I always took the approach -- that, which is closest to hand.

As to self-tailing qualities -- well, why do you need a wench, if you're going to self-tail?

 

[Tranona]

Simple. Just go onto the Harken or Lewmar websites. They both have charts of recommended sizes for different applications.

 

[alahol2]

40 or bigger. But bigger is best.

 

[DJE]

Looking for advice on which size of primary winch to use for the genoa sheets, obviously self tailing but do I use 16, 30, 40 or bigger. What do these numbers mean.

As I understand it the number is the mechanical advantage; so with a 30 size winch 1kg force on the handle gives 30kg force in the rope. The Lewmar guide is here. My 29 footer has a 30 sq.m. genoa and the Lewmar 40s are pretty hard work at times. I wouldn't want anything smaller.

 

[Danny]

As I understand it the number is the mechanical advantage; so with a 30 size winch 1kg force on the handle gives 30kg force in the rope. The Lewmar guide is here. My 29 footer has a 30 sq.m. genoa and the Lewmar 40s are pretty hard work at times. I wouldn't want anything smaller.

My understanding is the same as yours - but is there a standard handle length used for these calculations? Using a longer or shorter handle would change the mechanical advantage.

 

[PerformanceSailor]

Winch power ratio numbers are usually calculated with a 10" handle.

Note B: NO one ever returned from a brisk sailing day and complained that the primary winches were too easy to use...

The charts provided by the vendors are designed to convince you to buy something and not to scare away your money. If their chart suggests a size 46, your boat probably really needs a 52, and etc.

Regards,
LB

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Thanks very much to all who replied, I have enrolled the wife into the local gym with specific instructions to build the upper body, and I have ordered a couple of ST16's and that should do the trick..................................Well someone has to steer the boat.

 

[Twister_Ken]

ST16s are babies. What are you sailing, a Wayfarer?

 

[DJE]

Thanks very much to all who replied, I have enrolled the wife into the local gym with specific instructions to build the upper body, and I have ordered a couple of ST16's and that should do the trick..................................Well someone has to steer the boat.

I can't understand couples who split the work that way round. SWMBO always helms and I always work the winches. This matches our relative size and strength to the tasks; of course if your relative sizes are different I'd understand. We occassionally have some "lively discussions" when she decides to put in a few short tacks and we're carrying a big genoa.

Agree with TK those are tiny winches and she won't thank you if you're expecting her to handle a big sail with them.

 

[snooks]

I can't understand couples who split the work that way round. SWMBO always helms and I always work the winches.

I can't understand it either, but it's very common.

9 times out of 10 my GF will tack the boat while I winch, then we fight over the helm

I'm stronger then she is, and I don't like seeing her struggle. She winches when she wants to, and I'll luff up to help her, even then I'll usually do the last turn to really crank the genoa in if I need to

 

[xxyyzz]

The gif seems to think steering to be technical and thus prefers to winch, however often lacks the strength for it, which creates an element of chaos following every tack.

Fortunately our sailing is restricted to calmer sunnier climes...

 

[gandy]

ST16s are babies. What are you sailing, a Wayfarer?

There seems to be widely differing opinions on winch power. We currently have Lewmar 10s on our Griffon, with 245 sq ft genoa. They have a ratio of around 7, and are hard work on occasion. I'm pretty confident that 16s would be fine for us, but then I see others saying that I shouldn't have less than 30s.

I probably wouldn't even be thinking of changing the winches if we weren't after self-tailing.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have downsized from a 150% genny to a 130%.This is about 315 sq ft.I still find my ST twin speed lewmar 30s hard work when it is blowing and will be upgrading to 40.2s from Harken.I do have a bad back though so have my boat set up for max efficiency.Last year I upgraded main blocks to bigger sizes with ball bearings.Much better.

 

[Plevier]

My genoa is about 325 sq ft (29ft masthead rig, 140%). The winches are no 23 (Barlow). They are far too small.
In a decent breeze I cannot wind them right in, or only after many attempts. My co-owner is much stronger and went at them very aggressively - until he tore a ligament in his shoulder winding them and has had to have an op.
I think the boat needs 40s for comfort (or we'll have to reef very early).
16s sound very small for anything!
(Care to buy a couple of 23s?!)

 

[gandy]

I have downsized from a 150% genny to a 130%.This is about 315 sq ft.I still find my ST twin speed lewmar 30s hard work when it is blowing and will be upgrading to 40.2s from Harken.I do have a bad back though so have my boat set up for max efficiency.Last year I upgraded main blocks to bigger sizes with ball bearings.Much better.

Are you selling your 30s?