Which Winch?

[Doug T.]

We want to buy new genoa sheet winches for our boat. We've settled on the size we want: something with a 40:1 power ratio for the 2nd gear. Here're the specs for the gear ratios and power ratios for 1st and 2nd gears on three different winches:Harken 40.2: 2.2:1 / 6.1:1 13.5:1 / 40.1:1Lewmar 40ST: 1.9:1 / 5.8:1 12.2:1 / 40.2:1Anderson 40ST: 1.3:1 / 6.1:1 8.5:1 / 39.5:1The 2nd gears are almost identical. 1st gears are quite different. Looks like you can trim a lot faster in 1st gear with the Anderson winch, but I'm not sure that the big difference between 1st and 2nd gear is a good thing.Anybody have any opinions on this? Any recommendations about which brand is "better"? Should I be looking at other brands?Also: Lewmar has a bunch of different drums: Alloy (aluminum), chrome, bronze, all chrome, all bronze and stainless. We don't like the looks of the alloy (and the dark color gets hot in the summer). I think the "bronze" has a chrome coating too, but I'm not positive. Thoughts on which is "better"?

 

[Chris Gonzales]

Andersen

I'm new to Andersen but recently installed a pair of 46ST sheet winches and pair of 28ST cabin top winches on my C30. Seem to work pretty much the same as Lewmar, Harken, etc. I like the weight and quality. They seem to be of simpler design and would be easier to maintain. The stainless look is different, too, and matches my new shiny Garhauer traveller, vang, etc. Best thing is, though, that Andersen has a trade-in program going on where you get $$$ for your old winches. I shopped the net and subsequently purchased them through sailnet.com (see link below). I got free shipping, no sales tax and $420 in trade money after the fact for the old, virtually useless, winches (it doesn't matter what size the trade winch is). The 46ST's were under a grand each before trade money of $140 each. The trade value on the 40ST is $90. Can't do that with Harken or Lewmar!By the way, I found you have to stay on top of sailnet. They are very disorganized and have "lost" my orders and would not respond to numerous email requests.Chris

 

[Joe Ford]

Practical Sailor........

.....rated Anderson tops in their most recent tests.

 

[JPF]

Re: Which Winch

I have chrome Lewmar 40ST's that came on my boat and have had no problems with them. They are smooth and reliable, and can recommend them.However, I agree with a previous post that Anderson's appear to have a slight edge in quality over the Lewmars, but either one will do the job.