A winch is probably the most expensive piece of deck gear you'll ever buy. Winches create a mechanical advantage that multiplies the results of your efforts to get the job done quickly and efficiently, making the work easier. Without exception, bigger is better.

It would seem that cruising boats need smaller or simpler winches than racers. But racing boats come equipped with plenty of big, beefy crew built for grinding. If you don't have that kind of human power aboard, you need all the mechanical muscle you can get.

Comparison shopping for a winch can be confusing. Most manufacturers use the power ratio as the basis of choice: it is how much pulling power you get on the line (work) for every pound of pressure you exert on the handle (effort). The formula is: 2 x handle length x gear ratio ÷ drum diameter = power ratio.

Theoretically, a winch with a 10:1 power ratio gives 100 lbs. of pull on the line for every 10 lbs. you exert on the handle. The higher the power ratio, the longer it takes to crank in the sheet. This formula is theoretical, since power is reduced by friction from lead blocks, turns in the sheet, and the operation of the winch itself.

Winch Size

Manufacturers' winch catalogs make size recommendations based on boat length, but sail area is more useful in determining proper size. Other factors to consider are the number, strength and experience of the crew, winch placement and intended use, type of sailing, weight, and cost.

When sizing a winch for sheeting in head sails, use the sail area of the #3 working jib (or the 100% genoa). Even though this smaller sail seems to require less power to sheet in (because there's less of it) the working jib exerts the most force on sheets. Why? Because it's used in heavier winds, and the force on the sheet is a function of the square of wind velocity. The formula is: Load (lbs.) = SA x V2 x .00431

SA is sail area; V is apparent wind in knots. A 300 sq. ft. sail in 20 knots of apparent wind produces a load of 517 lbs. Using a 5:1 gear ratio winch with a 4" diameter drum and a 10" handle, you'd need to apply about 21 lbs. of force to the winch. If your boat's requirements fall between two recommended categories, or at the high end of one, step up to a winch one size larger.

Winch Placement

Every turn in the line and change of direction enroute to the winch produces friction, which reduces available power. Place winches to avoid as many of these as possible. You must have a proper fairlead angle to the winch to prevent overrides. Larger genoas and heavy load lines should be run through a turning block to ensure the proper angle of entry to the winch. The angle of entry should be below the winch's perpendicular axis, usually between 3° and 8°. The output gear (which you can't see unless you disassemble the winch) should be lined up with the direction of the line's entry.

Winch Materials

Aluminum winches are lightest, but they can't be used for wire. If the modern, functional look of black or gray anodized winches appeals to you, remember that they require more frequent servicing than other types. Quality chrome-plated bronze weathers best. Polished bronze weathers to a bronze-green hue that appeals to traditionalists.

Single-Speed Winches

These are usually direct drive winches with a gear ratio of 1:1, most frequently used as halyard winches, to increase tension along the luff for better sail shape, or for main and mizzen sheets. The primary advantages of a bigger single-speed winch are that it's faster and allows more turns around the drum. Consider purchasing one that ratchets, which allows you to crank on either side of the drum; that is, push or pull, instead of cranking through a full 360° turn. This is most helpful when you can't brace yourself well enough to get your back and legs, as well as your arms, into the action.

Two-Speed Winches

These are found as primary sheeting winches in the cockpit of most cruising boats, and frequently as halyard winches on larger boats. With a two-speed winch, you use the high gear (lower power ratio) first, to crank in quickly. When the grinding gets tough, you switch to low gear by reversing direction for more power.

With strategic placement, you can get multiple uses from one two-speed winch, and invest the savings in a larger winch. A two-speed winch installed on the cabin top with multiple line-stoppers can be used on halyards led aft, reefing lines, spinnaker sheets, vangs, staysail sheets and halyards, and mainsheet travelers. Limit the number of lines per winch to three.

Self-Tailing Winches

Self-tailers cost more, but we think they're worth the expense. Self-tailing winches allow small, frequent adjustments to sail trim and halyard tension with a minimum of crew movement and maximum speed, because it takes only one person to crank in the line. Some larger winches feature spring-loaded self-adjusting jaws that take lines of different diameters without adjustment, with less wear and tear on the sheets. Harken offers easy-to-use adjusting mechanisms for different line sizes. Check the range of line sizes in your inventory before you buy.

Electric Winches

If your boat needs a power ratio of 40:1 or greater and it can be equipped to handle the additional power drain (50-140 amps), then you can probably afford the luxury of a push-button electric winch. 24-volt winches are available to reduce amp draw. A manual backup that overrides the motor in case of failure is essential, and is found on all Harken and Lewmar electric winches. They're available in either horizontal or vertical motor configurations to match your installation requirements.

Winch Handles

10" handles are the industry standard because they're the most comfortable length for most sailors. However, an 8" handle should be considered for light wind conditions, when speed is more important than power. As you can see from the power ratio formula, the larger the winch handle, the more power from the same winch. If your small winches with 8" handles aren’t producing enough power, try a 10" handle before buying a bigger winch. Two more inches adds a lot more muscle. You can also increase your winch power with double-grip handles that allow you to crank with two hands at once. Locking winch handles have a far better chance of staying aboard. If you insist on having plastic or non-locking handles, make sure you have spares aboard. For safety reasons winch handles should be stored in a holder when not in use.

Winch Maintenance

All winches should be rinsed in fresh water after each use and then kept covered. In salt water, winches should be disassembled, inspected, cleaned, and lubricated at least once a season (two or three times for aluminum models).