Winch sizes

[Peter]

My boat has a number of different size winches and each size by a different manufacture. Due to the condition of some of these winches I intend to replace some of them (boat show and money, not a good combination). My question is, each winch has the manufactures name and a number embossed on the drum top, does the number denote the winch size, i.e. ratio and can it be compared to winch sizes of different manufactures. Hope I explained it clearly and await any answers.

Peter

 

[bedouin]

Usually the number on the winch represents the 'mechanical advantage' of the winch when using a standard length winch handle (I think this is sometimes also called the speed of the winch); and so it is a combination of the internal gearing and the diameter of the drum.

You can usually use this number to compare different winches from different manufacturers; and so winches with the same number should from different manufacturers should be direct replacements for each other.

One word of caution though. When I was looking at this a year ago I found than one manufacturer used to cheat a little with there figures, calling a winch that was actually '13' a '16' and the like, so it does pay to check.

 

[Roberto]

There are two numbers which *may* be related to the winch mechanics: some manufacturers refer to the ratio of turns of the handle it takes to make one turn of the drum, others take into account this together with the ratio of the typical handle length to the drum radius (sometimes called power ratio).

To get a proper comparison I think it is better to check how each manufacturer relates these ratios to the model/drum number.

 

[Guest]

If I were you, I would not look to much at the old winches. If they are really old they may work a lot less efficiently than new similar-sized ones. And are you sure the old ones were optimal to start with ? You should talk to the manufacturers/agents and have them suggest the proper winch for each position and then make your decision.

In general, people tend to choose too small wiches in order to save. Many produktion boats have undersize winches, with bigger ones as options. This is just a trick to get the list price down.

Have a look at Andersen. A builder I know claims they are much cheaper and better than the "hot-shot" brands Harken and Lewmar, having sold hundreds of them over the years


Andreas

 

[Guest]

Whilst on the subject of winches

A friend's boat ( self build ) has jib sheet winches that are far too small but he is unlikely to change them because of cost as it is a very big boat.

Has anyone tried a system of blocks that can be used in conjunction with winches to increase the power ?

Mant Thanks

 

[davidhand]

Probably best to compare gear ratios and the drum diameters. For your info Practical Sailor rated the top three brands as, Anderson, Lewmar, Harken, but said they were all excellent quality and it was a tough choice. I bought a couple of Anderson 46STs a year ago and have no regrets. As a Brit I would have got Lewmars but I was at a boat show and Anderson made me an offer I couldn't refuse (two for one).
Incidentally go to www.westmarine.com they probably have a comparison table comparing all the brands.

 

[Guest]

Re: Whilst on the subject of winches

I have not tried it but I guess he would have a problem when tacking because of friction and those very long lines getting tangled.

Andreas

 

[Strathglass]

winches

One of the best sites to find information about the size of winches required on a yacht is to look at the Harken web site. If you feed your yacht class into their on line programme it will give you recomended winch sizes and control line options and layouts for both racing and cruising use.

Another question-

Why does some manufacturer not make winch handles which are a little longer say 12", 14" and 16"?.
Much less expensive than updating winches.

 

[Roberto]

Re: winches

I think it s a matter of ergonomics: if you are correctly placed standing above the winch you find that the usual length is ok, a longer handle would cause you to swing too much and maybe lose balance; if you are barely sitting next to the winch and turning, the handle length is limited to a half arm length.

Though longer handles would be needed by crews from distant planets having notoriously long arms

 

[Guest]

Re: Whilst on the subject of winches

Robin Nox Johnson managed Ok so its woth a try. I recon it might also have one big advantage. With say a 16 ratio winch and a single wip you get 2:1, 16:1 and 32:1 instead of the 32:1 & 8:1 on a normal 32 winch. Three speed and better ratios as well as saving mony?

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster

 

[Guest]

Re: Whilst on the subject of winches

Thanks Roland - if it's good enough for the 'Guv'nr' it's good enough for me and I will pass the information on.

I assume that the way to go about this is to have a jib sheet (one for each tack) run from the clew with a block to the end of it. Then another jib sheet attached near the jib runners then throught the runner car through the first jib sheet block and back to the winch. Thus in theory doubling the power of the winch minus the extra friction etc.

As an aside, my boat is 27 feet and this boat is 46 feet. Because the winches are probably two sizes too small one tends to rush things. I have found that the bigger the boat is, the more dangerous this attitude becomes. The larger jibs have enormous power and there is every chance of losing a finger in a biggish wind. If you try and luff up in this particular boat to sheet in, invariably you go aback because of the mizzen. Went on a Dehler last season which had electric winches (for that last bit) Have to say that for a big boat it's the way to go.

Regards