I'm in the process of restoring a 1974 model Hunter. The original equipment Sheet winches appear small for 150% or up genoe's. If I were to upgrade to Harken or Lewmar, what size will be adequate?
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Function of "I" and "J"
Jim - The winch size is going to be a function of the "I" and "J" dimensions so it really doesn't matter what jib sail you have up. If you think about it, the smaller the sail the heavier the fabric. The storm jib will be made out of really heavy stuff while the 150 will be made out of really light stuff. In the end, they all will take the same size jib sheet and the same size winch. The flying sails, on the other hand, will usually have lighter loads. If you look at the winches on racing boats, the secondaries, they will be somewhat smaller than the primaries. I don't have any catalogs handy at the moment, but Lewmar's winch catalog used to have a winch sizing table and no doubt some of the other major brands will have something in their catalogs too. Their general catalogs tend to omit the sizing tables. The West Marine catalog used to have winch sizing tables too but this years 2002 doesn't. Hope this helps.
Jim - The winch size is going to be a function of the "I" and "J" dimensions so it really doesn't matter what jib sail you have up. If you think about it, the smaller the sail the heavier the fabric. The storm jib will be made out of really heavy stuff while the 150 will be made out of really light stuff. In the end, they all will take the same size jib sheet and the same size winch. The flying sails, on the other hand, will usually have lighter loads. If you look at the winches on racing boats, the secondaries, they will be somewhat smaller than the primaries. I don't have any catalogs handy at the moment, but Lewmar's winch catalog used to have a winch sizing table and no doubt some of the other major brands will have something in their catalogs too. Their general catalogs tend to omit the sizing tables. The West Marine catalog used to have winch sizing tables too but this years 2002 doesn't. Hope this helps.
Sheet Winch Part 2
Just got back from a trip to West Marine on another project. While I was there I checked the Lewmar literature and in one table they indicate, for a mast-head rig, that a 7 is too small and that a 14/16 is adequate. In another table, based on sail area, 200 sq.ft. would use a 19. Your sail area at 100% foretriange is a tad over 150 sq.ft. so I'd think something in the 14/16 range would be perfect for a working jib or a 150 genoa. If your winches are smaller I wouldn't be surprised because builders will shave costs by undersizing, and winches aren't cheap.
Just got back from a trip to West Marine on another project. While I was there I checked the Lewmar literature and in one table they indicate, for a mast-head rig, that a 7 is too small and that a 14/16 is adequate. In another table, based on sail area, 200 sq.ft. would use a 19. Your sail area at 100% foretriange is a tad over 150 sq.ft. so I'd think something in the 14/16 range would be perfect for a working jib or a 150 genoa. If your winches are smaller I wouldn't be surprised because builders will shave costs by undersizing, and winches aren't cheap.
Jibsheet winches
I am actually doing the same thing with the same model boat, Jim. The originals appear to be Barlow 7s. This is equivelent to a Barient 7 (if there was such a thing). But the Lewmar sizes were/are different from everyone else's so it's tough to equate them. I would go with a Lewmar 16 (which is only one-speed) or a 30 (same drum but 2-speed). Both can be had self-tailing (and are the smallest Lewmars that can be). Nothing against Harken because of their other stuff but YOU can go with those. [wink] Lewmar is the industry standard (and I remember when they were 2nd behind now-defunct Barient and 3rd behind Barlow!). I have not sailed this boat yet (and the last H-25 I sailed was in 1974!) but am inclined to let them be for now. My jib is not that big; my 150 is on order-- and why have anything bigger than a 150? Too much sail area aft of the mast will increase weather helm and then you'll really have your hands full! JC
I am actually doing the same thing with the same model boat, Jim. The originals appear to be Barlow 7s. This is equivelent to a Barient 7 (if there was such a thing). But the Lewmar sizes were/are different from everyone else's so it's tough to equate them. I would go with a Lewmar 16 (which is only one-speed) or a 30 (same drum but 2-speed). Both can be had self-tailing (and are the smallest Lewmars that can be). Nothing against Harken because of their other stuff but YOU can go with those. [wink] Lewmar is the industry standard (and I remember when they were 2nd behind now-defunct Barient and 3rd behind Barlow!). I have not sailed this boat yet (and the last H-25 I sailed was in 1974!) but am inclined to let them be for now. My jib is not that big; my 150 is on order-- and why have anything bigger than a 150? Too much sail area aft of the mast will increase weather helm and then you'll really have your hands full! JC
Look at Andersens too.
When you are looking at winches be sure to put Andersens in your mix. Very nice quality.
When you are looking at winches be sure to put Andersens in your mix. Very nice quality.
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