Buying a winch

[grinfax]

I am giving in and putting in self-tailing winches on my boat. We are usually just two of us in the boat, and I believe the self tailing will greatly improve our quality of life. My old winch is a Lewmar 40. I want to replace them for Harken 40s. Why Harken? I have a friend who is a distributor and has offered to give them to me at cost.

1) I have a couple of questions. Can I replace a Lewmar 40 with a Harken 40? Any foreseeable problems?

2) Do I need a winch plate?

3) Is there a place I can sell my old Lewmar 40 winches (1982) and how much would they be worth?

These are the parts I am going to buy:

Harken # 40 Self Tailing Two-speed Winch - Aluminum
Code: HARB402STA

Winch Mounting Plate, Size 40
Code: B947738

Thank you,
Kim

[sailingdog]

Yes, you can replace them. No, you probably don't need the winch mounting plate. You can sell your old winches on e-bay, craigslist or through a consignment store. Good Old Boat magazine has a list of consignment shops that you should look at.

Get the bronze or stainless steel drum winches if you can afford them. They're a good deal more durable IMHO than the aluminum.

[doubleeboy]

Another consideration would be to not only upgrade to self tailing but also to move up in size if you think you can still mount the winch in same place with the larger size. After spending a summer chartering boats in the 34-38' range I have been convinced that larger winches rule, especially if you are older or have less than stellar shoulders. I was dumbfounded how much easier life was using larger winches.

good luck
michael

[Sapperwhite]

Originally Posted by doubleeboy

Another consideration would be to not only upgrade to self tailing but also to move up in size if you think you can still mount the winch in same place with the larger size. After spending a summer chartering boats in the 34-38' range I have been convinced that larger winches rule, especially if you are older or have less than stellar shoulders. I was dumbfounded how much easier life was using larger winches.

good luck
michael

I have two old Lewmar 48 (or are they 46??, can't believe i don't remember) two speed self tailing all bronze winches on my 27' (31' LOA) boat. My genny is about 343, and is served by those two winches. Big winches make it easier, you get more mechanical advantage.

I checked out the Harkens at the boat show and was impressed with the way the tailers clamp down like jaws on the line. You can even adjust the spring tension so they can grab tighter or a little more loose. Neat stuff.

[grinfax]

thank you...

-Kim