Sheet winches - two speed or three speed

[Methersgate]

The boat still has her plain top Harken three speed primaries and secondaries.

As I grit my teeth and poke around in my wallet I notice that

(a) we hardly ever use all three gears

(b) two speed Harken self tailers are quite a bit cheaper than three speed, for the same size.

Indeed we can go up a size and still save compared to the three speed models. Since we don’t race, that seems a better idea.

Am I right?

[Joli]

Originally Posted by Methersgate

The boat still has her plain top Harken three speed primaries and secondaries.

As I grit my teeth and poke around in my wallet I notice that

(a) we hardly ever use all three gears

(b) two speed Harken self tailers are quite a bit cheaper than three speed, for the same size.

Indeed we can go up a size and still save compared to the three speed models. Since we don’t race, that seems a better idea.

Am I right?

Your signature says Nicholson 55. That's a good sized boat, the third gear is nice to have when the breeze is on and you're working upwind. We have 98 three speeds, can't imagine not having the third gear.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Methersgate

The boat still has her plain top Harken three speed primaries and secondaries.

As I grit my teeth and poke around in my wallet I notice that

(a) we hardly ever use all three gears

(b) two speed Harken self tailers are quite a bit cheaper than three speed, for the same size.

Indeed we can go up a size and still save compared to the three speed models. Since we don’t race, that seems a better idea.

Am I right?

Depends on how young you are and how strong you are I guess. My 47 footer was too much with two speed self tailers at times in strong wind. I had those two handed winch handles and literally could not turn the winch a couple of times. We are small framed people though. We should have had 3 speed.

[Jammer]

I thought that two-speed winches were usually the same as three speed winches except for the absence of the "high" direct-drive gear. It is that, not the lowest gear, that you give up.

[Methersgate]

Originally Posted by Jammer

I thought that two-speed winches were usually the same as three speed winches except for the absence of the "high" direct-drive gear. It is that, not the lowest gear, that you give up.

Yes, that’s as I understand it. Thanks.

The lack of the first gear would mean that the sail flogs for longer but perhaps not that much longer.

One thing that has made a huge difference to us is replacing the big Dacron sheets with Dyneema which are much easier and quicker to handle.

[Methersgate]

Harken 70.3

Power ratio - 1 9.00
Power ratio - 2 22.20
Power ratio - 3 72.00

Harken 70.2

Power ratio - 2 22.20
Power ratio - 3 72.00

Harken 60.3

Power Ratio 1 - 9.20
Power Ratio 2 - 20.30
Power Ratio 3 - 61.00

Harken 60.2

Power Ratio 2 - 20.30
Power Ratio 3 - 61.0

[Clivevon]

I have to say I am somewhat envious if the top thing on your priority list for spending serious money on the boat is to upgrade to self tailing winches. Especially winches that big..

[Wallaby]

When you can't winch it in on a two-speed winch, is it time to reef, or buy a smaller boat?

[rickmartyn]

Originally Posted by Wallaby

When you can't winch it in on a two-speed winch, is it time to reef, or buy a smaller boat?

Both?

[rotrax]

Originally Posted by Methersgate

The boat still has her plain top Harken three speed primaries and secondaries.

As I grit my teeth and poke around in my wallet I notice that

(a) we hardly ever use all three gears

(b) two speed Harken self tailers are quite a bit cheaper than three speed, for the same size.

Indeed we can go up a size and still save compared to the three speed models. Since we don’t race, that seems a better idea.

Am I right?

Is your boat one of the ex JSASTC Nic 55's?


Great boats, one of my chums was a Skipper on them for many years.


He told me once he had sailed almost half a million miles and never owned a boat.


IMHO, two speed winches would be fine for cruising.

[Methersgate]

Originally Posted by rotrax

Is your boat one of the ex JSASTC Nic 55's?


Great boats, one of my chums was a Skipper on them for many years.


He told me once he had sailed almost half a million miles and never owned a boat.


IMHO, two speed winches would be fine for cruising.

Yes, indeed she is.





A boat designed built and set up to keep a dozen fit young members of the Armed Forces busy needs a few mods to become an old man’s cruiser… she came with no electronics or safety gear (held back by JSASTC) no windlass, a toy anchor, no furler, no hydraulic strut or backstay tensioner, no autopilot, no vane gear and flat top winches… we are getting there slowly. But she is quite the nicest boat to sail that I have ever taken the helm of….

… just as long as you reef as soon as you think about it



Self tailers on the halyards and a Winchrite have made a huge difference…

[dfelsent]

My 47’ ketch has Lewmar 66 two speed primaries. Cruising boat. Secondaries are 52.
Takes a while to finish the tack in low gear if the helmsman doesn’t help but in high gear 66 means you just don’t run out of oomph.
As an experienced racer I can say we are NOT racing.
Different needs entirely. On this boat the winches and tackle are set up for managing the forces easily. On prior boats it’s been about maneuvering speed.

[DeValency]

Originally Posted by Methersgate

The boat still has her plain top Harken three speed primaries and secondaries.

As I grit my teeth and poke around in my wallet I notice that

(a) we hardly ever use all three gears

(b) two speed Harken self tailers are quite a bit cheaper than three speed, for the same size.

Indeed we can go up a size and still save compared to the three speed models. Since we don’t race, that seems a better idea.

Am I right?

Right. Three speed are useless at most cases for headsails, even for racers that do micro trimming. At some cases you may find three speeds valuable for main sail sheet. Three speed winches are also way more delicate and requires more cleaning and maintenance - both things a sailor isn’t really need to add.

Best of luck!

[Methersgate]

Thank you!

Decision taken; two speed sheet winches will be fitted.