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Hello,
">I sail Rhapsody my C&C 27 Mk 3 in all weather on Lake Michigan; mostly singlehanded. I have done the Chicago - Mackinac Solo race and do several distance races a year. I am looking at self tailing sheet winches but I am not sure which ones to consider. I find the original winches (Barient 16s I think) reasonable under most circumstances, but a bit short on power with the #3 in heavy weather. I like a 3/8" or so sheet, but would also like to be able to use these with smaller 1/4" or 5/15" spinnaker sheets as well.</SPAN>
">I am also frugal (or cheap if you prefer) so price is a significant consideration."> </SPAN>I am looking at the Lewmar 14-ST ($346 w/aluminum drum and $371 w/chrome drum at Defender)…<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN>
">Input please."> </SPAN>Good Choice?"> </SPAN>Bad Choice? "> </SPAN>Large enough? Alternatives?<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
">Bob Wooden"> </SPAN>-"> </SPAN>Rhapsody, currently on the hard in Racine WI<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
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Towser has Harken 32 2-speed self-tailers with aluminum drums as primaries. With an 8-inch handle, you have to work a bit at the very top end of the range and they are expensive, but everyone is fairly happy with them. The only downside to them is that you have to remove the base from the deck to do a complete service.
David Weatherston
Towser, Toronto
C&C 27 Mk IV
Last edited by (2007-12-15 06:49:45)
David Weatherston
Towser, Toronto
C&C 27 Mk IV
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Two years ago I replaced Carriden's #18 Barient primaries with a pair of almost-new Lewmar ST-40's which I found on ebay. My wife and daughters crew for me and are not long on upper body strength. However, with the ST-40's and 10-inch handles, we can handle most any conditions that strike us. I prefer to use 1/2" sheets for the genoa, as this is much easier on the hands when racing. Finding a winch that is powerful enough but will still self-tail a 1/4" sheet might be a bit of a challenge. I use 1/4" spectra spinnaker sheets in light air, but 3/8" sheets in regular to heavy air. In the light air, we generally don't need to make use of the self-tailing function, as we can pull them in by hand. I have been happy with the performance of the Lewmars and they are generally easy to service. Next year I will be re-mounting the Barient 18's as secondary winches on the coamings, for spinnaker work when racing.
By the way, Barient used a different numbering scheme than the other winch-makers. On my Lewmars, the #40 indicates a 40-to-1 increase in power (purchase). Harken and Andersen number their winches in the same fashion. However, the Barient 18's actually have about a 24-to-1 or a 26-to-1 purchase. Try watching ebay for good deals on used winches. The ones that I bought had only been installed for about 3 months when the boat that they were on hit a reef and was written off. They came to me looking and feeling new, for less than 1/2 of the regular retail price.
Marcus Opitz
Carriden, Hull #847