Undersized primary winches???

[Butch23065]

Has anyone changed to larger winches on a 41 AC or DS or has anyone upgraded to electric winches?

I recently went to a larger jib and now I am unable to sheet it all the way in when the wind pipes up. I have the stock Lewmar 44 two speed winches.

I am considering replacing them with Lewmar 48 two speed winches or upgrading them to electric powered winches. I don't know if either of these options will solve the problem.

What do you think?

 

[rardiH36]

Unless the Lewmar 44 is actually a larger winch than my Harken 44ST's which I feel is just on the probably too small margin for my 36' Hunter, 44 does seem undersized for a 41' boat. Most 36' boats in my area have larger winches than mine, and certainly all +38' boats do.

However I didn't look up if your boat is a fractional rig = smaller jib than a masthead rig = less need for a bigger winch.

The cheapest alternative to big $'s for larger winches is to pinch the wind for a moment to luff the sail. Then take all the tension you want. But you probably have already considered this. On San Francisco Bay, I rarely need to do this "method" when flying my 85% headsail. But with my 110%, all the time. Or, I often tack slower and initially steady up at quite few degrees higher than my normal close haul course. This gives time to tension the headsail before it is subject to the full wind load.

 

[Rick D]

Look At Friction First

Has anyone changed to larger winches on a 41 AC or DS or has anyone upgraded to electric winches?

I recently went to a larger jib and now I am unable to sheet it all the way in when the wind pipes up. I have the stock Lewmar 44 two speed winches.

I am considering replacing them with Lewmar 48 two speed winches or upgrading them to electric powered winches. I don't know if either of these options will solve the problem.

What do you think?

It sounds like you know what you are talking about, so I won't insult you by asking if the winches have been serviced. I don't know what kind of jib cars you have but I changed from the factory Lewmar to Garhauer ball bearing and it was an amazing difference that I never expected. Of course, before all that, try a larger winch handle.