3 speed winches

[howie]

I've been trying to find a deal on some selftailers but no luck. Seem's everyone wants to upgrade to them and not sell them used and cheap! Anyways i found a deal (i think)on a pair of Lewmar three speed 48's this size is fine for my boat but i have never used a three speed. From what i've gathered it's a racing winch. Well we mostly cruise and have never raced this boat, but for 500 bucks the pair seem's to be a good deal. I've got a bud who works at a chrome shop so that part is as good as done. Any info please?

 

[Bob Howie]

Capability

3-speeds on a cruising boat is analagous to my swapping out a 9hp engine last summer for a 24hp engine in my 78h30 -- better to have the power and not need it than need it and not have it. If it works, it works and the price sure seems fair. Go for it.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Size?

You don't say what size boat but you do say a 48 is OK. The 48 is a very large winch, I would worry more about the size than the 3-speeds. If they fit and are operational that's a terrific buy. And parts are readily available.

 

[howie]

the size is ok

Thanks for the replies. My boat is an O'Day 37 and the barient 25's that it came with are a little smaller than those 48's I figure they'd make fine secondaries and the 48's will fit except for a small overhang on each side of the coaming. Plenty of room for the dock spiders to crawl up in there!

 

[Bob Howie]

Overhang

You might want to consider winch pads if the inch or so they elevate the winch off the coming is not a problem. Might give the winch some better support, not work your comming and might keep the creepy nasties out of there, too. Just a thought.