good news is my new sails are heaps more powerfull, and are capable of windward work 
bad news the 65mm ratchet winches don't cut it anymore, so it's time to upgrade.
Main sail handling is sorta ok but the headsail needs more.
furling jib is just over 22m2 and the foot a bit over 5m. So not a big sail and I don't race owing to lack of slow boats to race.
so I'm looking at single speed self tailers, Andersen, harken and Hutton,all make a job that I think would suit and the price is within a few bucks of each other,and the gear ratio likewise with the Hutton a tad more ballsy.
I'd like to buy the Aussie job, is there any compelling reason why I shouldn't ?
I don't think it makes any difference but I should add that the windward winch will occasionally be employed by the runners
cheers
Select to expand quotewoko said..
good news is my new sails are heaps more powerfull, and are capable of windward work
bad news the 65mm ratchet winches don't cut it anymore, so it's time to upgrade.
Main sail handling is sorta ok but the headsail needs more.
furling jib is just over 22m2 and the foot a bit over 5m. So not a big sail and I don't race owing to lack of slow boats to race.
so I'm looking at single speed self tailers, Andersen, harken and Hutton,all make a job that I think would suit and the price is within a few bucks of each other,and the gear ratio likewise with the Hutton a tad more ballsy.
I'd like to buy the Aussie job, is there any compelling reason why I shouldn't ?
I don't think it makes any difference but I should add that the windward winch will occasionally be employed by the runners
cheers
Hi Woko,
Ive been really happy with my Harkens, but the plastic shroud and self tailor jaws are showing the abuse. I've noticed a couple of chips have appeared in the self tailor lower jaw, and a plastic base shroud had to be realigned with a pair of pliers to fit the winch back into. (It had folded inwards from cross sheeting where the sheet was rubbing.)
Admittedly this is all from racing where the loads are pretty horrendous, but I get why metal winches are still around.
Sorry mate, I know this doesn't help with which brand.
Cheers!
If you are replacing winches on a cruising yacht, I believe Andersens are the only way to go.
www.huttonwinches.com/products/winch/prices
Based in Sydney, Australian prices and readily available spares. I have dealt with Allen Hutton and found him to be a gent when I needed spares for my Barient/Barlow winches. No other affiliation than being a happy customer.
A single speed update - whichever brand one choses - would be regrettable when the two speed version is available.
This is not the place to save!
I had eight winches on the boat and was cursing the tight-arsed ex owner who replaced the halyards winches with a single speed winch, saving a few bobs. The animal.
The last two winches I purchased have been Anderson and I am very happy with them.
The last one I purchased off rumblefish off here the self tailing part is spring loaded and metal very different to other brands and much easier to put the sheet in especially as I am using this for th3 main sheet.
Select to expand quoteLooseChange said..
www.huttonwinches.com/products/winch/prices
Based in Sydney, Australian prices and readily available spares. I have dealt with Allen Hutton and found him to be a gent when I needed spares for my Barient/Barlow winches. No other affiliation than being a happy customer.
+1
great to deal with in every respect. Thoroughly recommended.
