can you mix winch and winch handle brands?

[tonyr]

Hi, maybe a dumb question, but are winch handles interchangeable on sail winches? Ok that question is probably too general. To be more specific, I'm thinking of purchasing Lewmar's Titan locking winch handle (#29145311) and using it with a Harken winch (#HB6A).

1st, will it fit in the Harken winch?
2nd, will the lock feature work?

There doesn't seem to be any general literature stating any kind of compatibility between winches and handles.

Thanks

Tony

 

[jssailem]

Tony
The answer is general... Maybe.
I have several different brands of winch handles on the boat and they work on the LEWMAR and Barient winches I have. The only problem is the lock that holds the Lewmar handle in place when it gets left in the winch, only works on the Lewmar winch.

It is best to test the handles before use.

 

[dlochner]

The winch handle will fit in a Harken winch. The sockets have been standardized for decades. The locking feature is only a small piece of steel that rotates with the thumb lever that slides under the socket. If for some reason it doesn't lock, the handle will still work. Mostly I find the locking mechanism to be a PITA. In 40 years of sailing I've never been on a boat that has lost a winch handle and that includes a lot of races. I get more frustrated with the locking mechanism when I'm trying to release or install the handle, much faster to just stick the handle in the socket and not deal with the locking mechanism.

If you are worried about being without a handle because someone was careless, the floating winch handles are fairly in expensive to carry as a spare. Even though they float, you will never be able to find one that has gone for a swim, consider them expendable.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Mostly I find the locking mechanism to be a PITA. In 40 years of sailing I've never been on a boat that has lost a winch handle and that includes a lot of races. I get more frustrated with the locking mechanism when I'm trying to release or install the handle, much faster to just stick the handle in the socket and not deal with the locking mechanism.

The thumb latch locking mechanism is very finicky and inconsistent. We have two locking handles and they each need a slightly different amount of force to unlatch. Definitely slower than a plain drop-in handle. Maybe if you want to keep a handle on a mast mounted winch it could have some value, but on a flat surface it’s not worthwhile. We also have a Harken grip-to-unlock style handle. That one works much more consistently and quickly, but the arm with the grip is so thick it doesn’t fit in a standard winch handle holder.

 

[Joe]

It'll fit. Buy it. Not because it floats though, I have one of those Titan's and it floats..... barely.... hard to see in the water. I like the palm grip handles. But I have 8 or more handles. The good ones are good. The poor ones only use if you have to. I don't know anyone that doesn't have one of those red floating Titan's... Lewmar owns Titan now. Harken and Antal make the most beautiful, in my opinion. I bought an 8" palm style when I installed my new dodger a few years ago and there were clearance issues. I have a big heavy Chrome 10" Lewmar, non locking, but it has palm grip. Really like it... it's heavy, though, never had a problem with non locking issue. I have a couple others, one Harken and two lewmars and a West marine (made by lewmar) with fancy touch lock mechanism. It's cool, I like it.... PS isn't impressed with the touch lock though.

Here's Practical Sailor commrnents

 

[Parsons]

Sure, they are all interchangeable - never seen a handle that would not fit whatever winch, except real antiques that would no longer be on a boat. If you ever have these "is it standard or are their sizes" questions, check out a general marine store like West Marine or Defender - do they offer various sizes?

I vote for the locking handles, perhaps because I'm used to them. It's not so much that I'm afraid I'll leave it in the winch and it will shake out - I rarely leave them in the winch. It's when I'm grinding on them I do not like to think about keeping it in the winch top. On races, I've seen people do all sorts of damage because they were grinding like hell and the handle was not well down in the winch and came off. I've thrown away a half-dozen non-locking handles from boats I've bought, so I'm committed to that dislike.

 

[RoyS]

I also abandoned the locking type for the non-locking and have never had an issue. However, I lost two winch handles overboard that were not in a winch socket at the time but in a handle pocket attached to the mast. One of the headsail sheet lines snagged the handle and tossed it overboard, twice. Slow learner that I am, I found a used winch handle on ebay that did not have the hand grip portion. All it has is the main body and the socket. I only ratchet this halyard winch for the last foot or so anyway so it works fine and there is nothing for the sheet to snag with that winch.

 

[rgranger]

Unlike @dlochner , I have had a winch handle go overboard ...twice. Both times the jib sheet caught the handle during a tack... (I know! I shouldn't leave the handle in the winch). First time it happened I lost the handle, the second time my handle floated and I was able to recover it....and not because I had purchased a floating handle but because I had wrapped the handle with pipe insulation foam and zip tied the foam to the handle.

They sell this stuff at the big box stores...

in long pieces for about $3. One piece will be way more than you need. It is in the plumbing section.

The added bonus is that when you accidently drop your winch handle on the deck or in the cockpit, it is now padded and is less likely to chip your gel coat or bang your shin.

I think you could also use a swim noodle if you wanted to add color for easier visuals

If you want to go crazy you could get two handles and color code your winch handles port and starboard...

 

[BarryL]

Hey,

Winch handles, what a great topic! Who would have imagined there could be so much to discuss!

Selecting the 'best' handle really depends on your boat and the type of sailing you do. On my boat, this is my favorite handle

Lewmar OneTouch Palm Grip Winch Handle

The Lewmar OneTouch Winch Handle is designed for Easy One-Handed Removal. Features: Squeeze Handle and Lift Release lever runs entire length of the handle-no twisting, jiggling or fiddling around Locking Grip Type: Palm Grip Material:

defender.com

The 10" model provides plenty of leverage. The palm grip allows you to grind with two hands. The locking function is important and easy to use (just squeeze the handle) . And yes, I have lost winch handles overboard. When racing, doing frequent tacks and jibes, it's important to be able to quickly get the handle out of the winch and then into the winch on the other size and then QUICKLY get the sail trimmed in.

If you are not racing, have a smaller boat with smaller sheet loads, a lower cost handle may work just as well. However, unless you have very light loads, don't buy this one:

Barton Non-Locking Aluminum Winch Handle

Barton makes a wide range of light duty winch handles and accessories, manufactured from quality modern materials. All designed to fit international star sockets and standard deck filler caps. Features: Made from extruded aluminum 'Spectro' gray

defender.com

This one is reasonably priced and pretty good

Harken Winch Handle -10" - B10AL

The Harken Winch Handle B10AL is a locking 10 inch winch handle. These robust low-friction ball bearing handles match a wide range of cranking needs for both racers and cruisers. Handles feature a ball bearing grip that efficiently transmits power into th

defender.com

My boat has powered winches for the main halyard and main sheet. You can trim the winch by pressing the power button or by inserting a winch handle. When you insert a handle, the power to the winch is switched off. There switch is spring loaded, so if you're not careful, the winch handle can be ejected from the winch. I have lost a few handles because of that, so my crew now know to use the cheap handles for mainsail trimming (lower replacement cost) .

Barry

 

[jssailem]

I am in the group with Barry. I purchased the 10” Lewmar handle. It is great on Lewmar winches. Locks in and easily releases. Nice for the cockpit as the extra length adds nice purchase for handling the sheets.

My Barient winches came with a metal “heavy weight “ handle. It is kept in the boat as a back up or as an un wanted intruder deterrent.

For mast work I utilize a short light weight (maybe it will float) red colored 8” handle that locks in using a release lever on the socket end. Serves the purpose well and is easy to carry forward or back from the mast.

The red color helps me remember where I left it when on deck or not stored in its normal spot. Works great in the daylight not so good when I’m using a red light on deck at night. We make do.

 

[dlochner]

My favorite winch handle.

EWINCHER | Electric Winch & Winch Handle for Sailing Boats

Smart Electric Sailing: we design electric winches and electric winch handles packed with advanced technology for sailing boats.

www.ewincher.com

 

[Parsons]

For mast work I utilize a short light weight (maybe it will float) red colored 8” handle that locks in using a release lever on the socket end.
View attachment 213039

That is definitely a floating handle. Throw it overboard to prove it to yourself. Trust me ... I'm a guy on the internet!

 

[Benny17441]

Not a dumb question, you made me think. Some racers may have different needs and opinion than relaxed cruisers and some cross brand handles may lock to a particular winch better than others. I have a couple of handles with no locking mechanism and have not lost them yet.

 

[arf145]

My favorite winch handle is one with no locking mechanism---it obviously had one but a previous owner apparently ripped out the lock, possibly in a fit of anger

 

[FastOlson]

While it's true that the locking mechanism can sometimes be fussy, I have actually lost a handle OB from our previous 20 foot boat when a gentle jibe of the boom brought the slack in the sheet across the cockpit... and it accurately looped under a handle left in the sheet winch... and then that handle did a nice "full gainer" on its way up and down to the bottom of the river.

Present boat came with a pair of heavy chrome-bronze Lewmar locking handles, but we almost never use them. I did rebuild both of the well-jammed-up locking parts with kits from Lewmar.

The red "floating" T-top handle gets used every trip out, tho. We have never tested the red one to see if it actually floats, gotta admit.

 

[Tally Ho]

I have an assortment of old, used winch handles on my boat, and they all work in my Lewmar and Barlow winches.

I bounced one off the coaming once into the deep, but haven’t lost one in quite a number of years. Imput some winch pockets near each primary winch and try to always put them in the pocket after use. The lock on one is a bit flaky…I should try to lubricate it to see if it improves the locking mechanism some.

And I keep a spare or 2 in the cabin in case I do something really stupid…like losing them all overboard.

Greg

 

[Apex]

The winch handle will fit in a Harken winch. The sockets have been standardized for decades. The locking feature is only a small piece of steel that rotates with the thumb lever that slides under the socket. If for some reason it doesn't lock, the handle will still work. Mostly I find the locking mechanism to be a PITA. In 40 years of sailing I've never been on a boat that has lost a winch handle and that includes a lot of races. I get more frustrated with the locking mechanism when I'm trying to release or install the handle, much faster to just stick the handle in the socket and not deal with the locking mechanism.

If you are worried about being without a handle because someone was careless, the floating winch handles are fairly in expensive to carry as a spare. Even though they float, you will never be able to find one that has gone for a swim, consider them expendable.

Have lost 2 on racing....they were non locking. I DID find a floatong wonch handle floating, it was not my own, so bonus!

 

[DaveJ]

I use one of these on either side of my binnacle, the winch handle rarely is left in the winch.
Very convenient.

 

[dLj]

I have multiple winch handles, but have two 12" locking handles I use at the mast that I wouldn't want non-locking as the winches are horizontal. The 12" handles are double handed as you really want to use both hands running my main sail up.

I've been looking for that right angle 24v MiIlwaukee drill but it apparently isn't made anymore. At least I haven't found it.

dj

 

[Tally Ho]

I've been looking for that right angle 24v MiIlwaukee drill but it apparently isn't made anymore. At least I haven't found it.

dj

https://www.toolnut.com/milwaukee-0721-20-m28-cordless-lithium-ion-right-angle-drill.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&msclkid=a406b45aba031472216dd7a88c5cdeed&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=*Shopping%20-%20Medium%20-%20Branded&utm_term=4578984923217721&utm_content=Catch%20All

Greg