Primary winch size for P30?

[ereuter]

I'm looking to upgrade my primaries this spring. I have an option to buy a pair of Lewmar 44s, but I'm afraid they might be too large. The Lewmar application guide suggests 40 with 44 as the max.

Any opinions on this?

Thanks,
Eric

[Giulietta]

Ereuter..

the 40 will do fine, the leverage will be similar to the 44 at a lower price and weight...44 is overkill..even 40 looks like overkill.

If you give me a few minutes and answer the bellow, I'll gladly calculate that for you.

What is your main sheet purchase 2:1 or 4:1 ?
Do you want to sail heavy ot modearte winds?
Your main sheet attached at mid or end of boom?
Want self tailing?(recommended)
Whats your sail material?

[ereuter]

Hmmm. The winches I hope to purchase are for my foresail sheets. Perhaps I used the wrong terminology. I'm new at this. But nevertheless:

My main sheet is a 4:1 at the end of the boom. No winch, just cam cleat on the traveler. Stock setup. I do plan to, and have been sailing in moderate winds. The stock winches (30s I think) are not enough.

Self-tailing is a requirement.

I guess my question is: if I can get a set of used 44ST for about the same price as a set of new 40ST, which is the better choice?

Also, do the various finishes make a big difference (chrome, aluminum, etc.)?

Thanks!

[Giulietta]

Ere, (sorry I thought you wanted it for the main).

For a boat like yours, I came up with a 40 size in my calculation, for the Genoa winch.

You can use the 44's, and there is nothing wrong with that except they will look too big , and they are heavier, much heavier. I'd still go with the 40's, as they are more scaled and lighter.

Also, you need to know that the existing thru deck holes might not be re-useable and you may need to drill new holes, as the winch base plate is different.

On installation, be very careful as there is a predetermined position for the winch, marked by the thrust gear.(it needs to be installed so that the gear is exactly where the sheet arrives from the Genoa traveler.

The finishes are only aesthetical. I like the Chrome ones for looks, but prefer the Aluminum ones for racing, so what I did is I bought the chrome winches and then I got a set of exterior drums, in aluminum that replace the chrome ones when we race.

I’d get the aluminum for your boat.

[ereuter]

Thanks! I was planning on having to redrill for the new ones. The old ones actually aren't blocked on the underside (in the combing box), so I plan to do that too.

Cheers-
Eric

[ereuter]

Thanks! I was planning on having to redrill for the new ones. The old ones actually aren't blocked on the underside (in the combing box), so I plan to do that too.

Cheers-
Eric

[ne57301]

Possibly the best improvement yet. I really love the Andersons and 40 is definitely the right size

[ereuter]

I found a pair of Harken ST32s, and they're on the way. Ratios are similar to the Lewmar 40, so I think I'll be in good shape. Thanks for the input.

Eric

[ereuter]

Well, what I thought were Harken 32s actually ended up being Lewmar 40s. So I have a nice pair of 40s for the P30.

Question: How should I line these up relative to the old 25s that were on there - ie should I keep the centers in the same place, or line up the point where the line contacts the drum, or...???

Also going to fabricate some backing plates for these. I couldn't belive the little washers that had been used to hold the old winches on!

Thanks,
Eric

[Giulietta]

The winch should be centered where the old ones were (only for looks, or if the rear part of the place where the winch is going is not stiff enough), so that you don't have to reroute the rope, however, since the diameter of the drum is larger, if the rope does binds touches something or changes alignemnt too much, you may position the winch so that the rope maintains the same alignment as before.

However, (very important) you have to align the thrust gear with the direction from where the rope is coming..do you have the instructions?

Here is a liitle scetch I made on how you should fix the winch to the deck. The thrust bearing at 90 Deg from the load. That will save you a new winch and will make them last FOREVER!!!
Be carefull taking it appart...don't loose the "keys" 2 of them in the crown.

Yes fabricate backplates...good idea