Winch replacement

Aug 9, 2020
32
Hunter 23 Charlestown Md
Would like suggestions for replacing my Lewmar 6 winches with self tailing

Was wanting to replace the Lewmar 6 winches on my Hunter 240. Can anyone recommend a self trailer that would be a proper replacement?
 
Jan 21, 2009
260
Catalina 30 Lake Perry, KS
These would work nicely. You could go to 16s put I think that would be overkill. Look around for the best pricing.
 
Apr 8, 2010
2,091
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
Every spring, about March, West Marine has been selling their Lewmar ST winches on a "BOGO" sale. If you can wait, and if they do this again in 2023, that's a hecovadeal.....
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,735
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
The smallest self-trailers you can buy will be good. A 24' boat will not require a lot of mechanical advantage to tension lines, using an oversized winch will make it too easy to over tension lines and possibly cause damage to the boat, not to mention putting an excessively large dent in your bank account. A 12 to 15 sized winch will be more than adequate. If you can wait until spring, the West Marine BOGO sale will get you the best price.
 
  • Helpful
Likes: jssailem
Aug 9, 2020
32
Hunter 23 Charlestown Md
Not so much for the mechanical advantage, but for the convenience self tailing winches
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,790
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Consider, self tailing winches take time to operate. A large boat (34 - plus) uses time to change configuration (ie.tack).

Smaller boats are more nimble. They change direction quickly. Safe operation of the boat is time sensitive. Equipment should be easy to load and unload to keep the boat on her feet.

Andersen makes the smallest Self Tailing winch at a #12. Lewmar makes a #16. The Andersen sells for about $500 each and the Lewmar $600-700 a piece.

My recommendation is to utilize ratcheting blocks and cam cleats. The blocks help with holding tension and the cam cleats let you hold the line in place while you attend to other needs. Both provide quick release when that gust wants to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of your sailing.
 

Ward H

.
Nov 7, 2011
3,774
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
When my old winches gave up on my O'day 25 I replaced them with the Anderson ST #12s. Huge improvement and having the STs were great.
While I agree with John ST's are necessary on these size boats, they sure are nice.
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,164
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
I think you may overestimate the convenience of self tailing winches an a small boat. But.... that comment aside... I upgraded a couple years ago and find they are especially handy for halyard winching. It allows you to get out of the habit of using rope clutches ... which can be abrasive on the line if you "one way" them. Anyway, Mr. FastOlson's comment on the WM yearly BOGO deal is what I took advantage of. I purchased a pair of Lewmar Evo 15's and a pair of Lewmar 2speed Evo 30's .... even at WM retail I saved $1,500 plus I bought them during a 3x gold coupon promotion for another 12% store credit (about $180 !) So... be patient and wait for the lewmar promo. The single speed Evo 15, or Ocean 16.... are more than adequate. but if you're keen on hard sailing, moving up to the 2 speed 30's will give you the pair for the same you'd pay for one Anderson 12. And trust me..... the 2 speed feature is a much greater benefit and certainly worth the extra dough than the self tailing..... on a smaller boat that is.
 

FDL S2

.
Jun 29, 2014
479
S2 7.3 Fond du Lac
I replaced my sheet winches from Lewmar 7s with Lewmar 14 self tailing winches on my 24ft boat a few years ago when West Marine was having their BOGO sale and wouldn’t change a thing. I single hand a lot so not having to tail winches is very convenient and not any extra work or time-even when racing-I think hand tailing sheets is slower than self tailing.
 
Sep 24, 2018
3,282
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
After TowBoatUS fed one of my Harken 32 winches to Lake Michigan I had the opportunity to install some used self tailing Lewmars. Self tailing is nice but in my personal opinion two speed is much more useful. As @Joe stated, the convenience may be overestimated. I often have to use one hand to crank and another to pull a bit on the line because the winch is slipping a little bit or not self tailing perfectly
 
May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
i sail in wisconsin, USA. i support the local companies when i can. when ever i upgrade i try and buy local. Harken is the best and local. i have friends that work for them. no brainer, has to be Harken, a wisconsin company. love my Harkens.

marine travel lift, sturgeon bay wisconsin. drive by the factory every day.
only the best. only lift i'll use. :cool:

support your neighbors, buy local
 

FDL S2

.
Jun 29, 2014
479
S2 7.3 Fond du Lac
i sail in wisconsin, USA. i support the local companies when i can. when ever i upgrade i try and buy local. Harken is the best and local. i have friends that work for them. no brainer, has to be Harken, a wisconsin company. love my Harkens.

marine travel lift, sturgeon bay wisconsin. drive by the factory every day.
only the best. only lift i'll use. :cool:

support your neighbors, buy local
Jon,
As a Wisconsin boy I wholeheartedly agree and buy Harken gear as much as possible. I will pay a little extra, but I couldn’t justify paying $1200 instead of $600 for the winches.
Another benefit I have ordering harken products online is that I get them very quick because they are only 60miles away.
 
  • Like
Likes: jon hansen
Apr 8, 2010
2,091
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
On the subject of winch ratios in general, keep in mind the old adage that No One ever returned to the dock after a great sail on an 18 kt windy day and complained the the boat's winches were too large and that trimming the sails was too easy... !
:)
 
Nov 18, 2016
155
Hunter 260 Lucky Peak, ID
As noted - what are you winching? Its a small boat.

We used our starboard Lewmar #6 to snug the main halyard occasionally and that's about it. If the jib sheet is burdened we'll just head up until it can be adjusted. Can't imagine a two speed need on a 240?

Best Sue B II recent investment has been a tide track and stack pack. Makes singlehanded hoists quick and the weight of the main allows complete depowering in about 1.5 seconds. Zip up the pack and good to go - main is stowed. No flake & ties bouncing on the cabin top. A very pleasant change.

Escalante River (Lake Powell) this spring (there are some good thinks about water ballast and drawing 18"). Had not yet added battens in the stacker.

Egg smoker is also a game changer.

1659553896912.png
 
Nov 18, 2016
155
Hunter 260 Lucky Peak, ID
Apologize - don't want to hijack the tread. However......

We did a nine day Lake Powell cruise in late March/April. My crew (Earl) was adamant re: packing his smoker (seen on the beach above).

1659562031628.png


Good choice. Worked well I think.

1659562177564.png


We don't need no 'stinkin outboard access.

1659562374979.png
 
  • Ha
Likes: FastOlson