What size winch on 1985 O'Day 26

[Windtherapy]

OK so my boat is still being refurbished and I can;t get to it for another week to check and just wondering if anybody knew the size of winches for the jib sheets that came original on the O'Day 26'. I ask because I have a chance to purchase 2 Harken self tailing, 2 speed winches for $300 each and they are in great shape. They are size 32 but I also have the chance to buy the same thing in single speed at size 16.

And does it hurt to up size? Like from a 16 to a 32 maybe?

 

[agprice22]

I would check the size of the base. As a primary winch, upsizing won't hurt, but if the base will not fit on your gunwale, it won't do you much good.

You should also consider the size of your genoa sheets compared to the size of the jammer jaws. If the jaws are too big for your sheets, it won't hold the line.

 

[Joe]

Get the 32's.... two speed is the way to go for primaries. Invest in a palm grip winch handle.... you'll be stylin'... the envy of the marina. Those single speed 16's would make excellent halyard winches... $1200 for 4 perfectly good self tailing winches is a good deal. Here's a link to Harkin's winch sizing chart http://www.harken.com/article.aspx?id=12853 Looks like for a 26 foot boat, those 16's are a little small for primaries (headsail)... I have Lewmar 30's on my 27 footer. Single speed 16's for halyards.... standard #7's for secondaries (spinnaker, etc)