Pearson 323 Primary Winches

[jandkellis]

Can anyone tell me what size primary (genoa) winches Pearson installed as standard equipment on the 323? What size has proven to be adequate for the boat with a 150% genoa?

Thanks for the help,

Jim

 

[Geoff K]

I don't know what was original, but my 323 has Lewmar 44s. There are mounting holes for a smaller winch under the 44s. They're bigger than needed but kind of nice. I don't race and don't fine tune at close hauled point of sail. Perhaps some others "need" the larger winch?

Geoff

 

[jandkellis]

P 323 Winches

Goeff,

Thanks for the reply; mine are Lewmar 43's which appear to be original but I just doubt that Pearson would install that large a winch. Let's hope others will have additional info.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

[shorty]

Re: P 323 Winches

My 1985 P-34 has #43's for the genoa, and I'm quite sure original. They are adequate, not at all oversized. Were I to replace, and I have no plans to, I would probably go a little bigger. Current (at least as of ~4 years ago) model is #46, according to Lewmar

 

[jandkellis]

Shorty,

Thank you.

Jim

 

[takwita]

Winches

The standard Pearson 323 winch was the Lewmar 30 two speed non-selftailing. This winch was proven to be under-powered in higher wind conditions, just what a P323 likes.
Selftailing winches were just barely coming on line at the end of the P323 production run. The early selftailers used a jam jaw method and should be replaced. Sheets have been know to let go randomly, and present a saftey hazard to the crew. Can not be upgraded.
Lewmar uses a wave spring method, which I think the Lewmar ST 44 uses

 

[LadyLiberty]

Lewmar 44's on my '82 P32. Pretty sure they are original. Would like to replace with ST and will probably drop to a new 40. The low gear seems more that enough to reel in the jenny when going hard to wind in the low 20kt range.