Winch Selection: 28 vs 40

[jason3317]

Some of you may recall I used a WM discount offer to purchase some new Andersen winches. My original plan was to replace a non-ST Barient 10 cabintop halyard with the Andersen 12ST. At the same time, I would add a second 12ST as a secondary winch on the opposite side.

WM only had a single 12 available, so they gave me a deal on two 28ST models. I had hoped to replace my primaries (Barient 21s) with the 28s.

So...it turns out that the Barient 21s have higher power ratios than the Andersens. Is this the correct comparison to use? I just assumed the 28s would be a suitable upgrade! But, possibly I should be looking at 40STs? My #1 is 260 sqft and full batten main is 240 sqft (fractional rig).

I've come up with the following options and need some input.

1. Keep the 28ST and replace my Barient 21 primaries. This assumes I can get comfortable with the fact these are indeed the proper sized replacements. I would use the 12ST as intended to replace the Barient 10 as my main halyard.

2. Keep the 28ST and use these for the cabintop halyard / reef winches. Keep the Barient 21s in place as primaries for now and upgrade to 40ST later. In this case, I would return the 12ST.

3. Return the 28ST and stick with the original plan to replace the 10 with a 12ST. (Not as cool, but definitely the cheapest option)

Comments / Opinions?

Jason

[sailingdog]

IIRC, Barient winches don't use the gearing ratio as the size number... but some other bizarre method.

While you don't say what boat you have, I seriously doubt you'd need 40ST winches for your genny. My friend's Dehler 33 has 30STs as the primary winches, and IIRC, his genny is fair bit bigger than yours.

If you're planning on running the halyards and other lines aft to the cockpit, keeping the 28ST might not be a bad idea, since you'll want a slightly larger winch for lines led aft, due to friction and such.

So do #2 or #3, depending on whether you're running the lines aft or not.

[madsgormlarsen]

Go to Google
Knol: a unit of knowledge - and search for boat winch by Mads Gorm Larsen - their is a bunch of links at the end of the articel.