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SailboatLab

Sailboat comparator

" Boats, like whiskey, are all good."

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Some just better fit your navigation program.

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Quickly compare thousands of sailboat models., 1 - draw inspiration from pre-defined use cases.

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Compare low draft coastal cruisers

Find the best 35 ft sailboats to cross the oceans, find the best sailboats to explore the high latitudes, compare medium size comfortable bluewater cruisers, worldwide ranking of cruiser racers, find the best 40 ft monohulls for racing, compare classic long keel production boats under 41ft, compare big catamarans for cruising around the islands, compare small catamarans for racing.

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Our last models

Last models integrated as of Sept. 18, 2024

Riviera 35 westerly (twin keel)

Glacer Classic 382

Sail Calculator

Go Directly To The Sail Calculator Here

What Carl’s Sail Calculator Does:

Physicist and sailor Carl Adler developed this online Sail Calculator for comparing sailboats  and its database has grown over a number of years to almost 3000 boats. It should be one of the first places you go on the Web if you want to know the vital statistics about a sailboat, including Length Overall (LOA) , Length on the Waterline (LWL) , Displacement and Sail Area .

The Sail Calculator will also give you valuable performance numbers for any vessel in its database or any numbers you enter, including the Displacement / LWL ratio, Theoretical Limiting Hull Speed, Sail Area / Displacement ratio, Length to Beam ratio, Motion Comfort value, Capsize Screening value, sailing category and Pounds per inch immersion value .

Naval architects use these values when they design a new boat, and from them you can determine a conventional displacement hull boat’s purpose and predict its performance. Note that planing hulls, catamarans and hydrofoil vessels are not defined in the same way. Here’s what the performance numbers mean:

Displacement/LWL ratio – Heavy boats (D/L above about 300) will carry big loads but require plenty of power to drive. Light boats (D/L below about 150) are generally quicker and more responsive but are affected by loading. Most boats have moderate displacement and they compromise the conflicting virtues of the extreme designs. Contemporary racing boats often have D/L ratios well below 100.

Hull Speed – A conventional hull, which moves through the water rather than rising atop it and planing across the surface, is limited in speed by length of the waves it produces; long waves travel faster. This wave length can be calculated and the top speed of the hull predicted. Long boats make long waves.

Sail Area / Displacement ratio – The SA/D ratio is like the power/weight ratio of an automobile. A high SA/D ratio (> about 18) indicates a powerful rig, while a low ratio indicates a more docile boat.

Length / Beam ratio – A long, narrow hull with limited interior space is easier to drive than a short, fat one with plentiful capacity. Compare L/B ratios to gain insight into the purpose of the boat.

Motion Comfort value – Not as widely used as the previous numbers, the Motion Comfort value tries to predict whether a boat has a quick, motion through the waves or a slow, easy motion. Note that some people get more seasick with a slowly rolling motion than a quick, jerky one. Your mileage will vary.

Capsize Screening number – Developed after the Fastnet Race tragedy, the Capsize Screening number is a quick way to judge if a boat is seaworthy. Values below 2.0 are desirable for offshore yachts. Do not put too much faith in the exact number, as it is an approximation only.

Pounds / square inch Immersion – When you load a boat, it sinks deeper into the water. This Immersion value indicates the weight carrying capacity of a vessel.

There is also a Prop Sizing section which will calculate the optimum propeller to use on any displacement-hull boat, based on noted naval architect Dave Gerr’s formulas.

 To The Sail Calculator

19 Comments on “ Sail Calculator ”

I corrected it. Thanks!

S2 7.3 specs from factory brochure (visible at boatbrochure DOT com SLASH products SLASH s2-7-3-meter-brochure the free preview is pretty legible)

LWL is 18.5 not 18.73 Beam is 8.0 not 8.5 Displ is 3250 not 3373 S.A. is 255, not 261

Thank you so much for your work maintaining this web page; it is tremendously valuable resource that I refer to often!

Tom, The Colgate 26 has a sail area different from that published on your calculator. It’s listed as 338 SF per https://www.colgate26.com/specifications/

Chris, Thanks for the note; I’m glad you find the Sail Calculator useful. I’ll change the value on the database on the next update, since your source is probably more accurate. I rarely know what the sources are when a user submits data, so there are definitely errors in there. It’s possible that one of the numbers is based on the 100% foretriangle measurement and the other is with a larger jib, which could be either the working jib or a Genoa. I get this question from time to time and probably should add something to the description about it (www.tomdove/blog/sail-calculator/). –Tom

Hi Tom, thanks for Carl’s calculator alive. I have a Tayana 48 DS and from their website, I get a different sail area. 1316 sq ft vs 1048.

Regards, Chris

Hi Tom, Looking at your specs the Marieholm 26 literature does not match what is posted. There were 3 versions of this boat built with the Marieholm being the middle one. The Folkboat website shows this: loa 25.83, lwl 19.83, beam 7.17, s.a. 280 sq. ft., draft 4′, disp. 4740, ballast 2750. The 1st model was built from wood, the last (3rd) model is called the Nordic Folkboat built from fiberglas but made with lapstrack design to look like wood. It was heavier in weight than the other 2 with less s.a.. Google “Folkboats Around the World” and the info is there on the main page. Hope this helps. Like to see values once new info is inserted. Wish I could figure it myself but not sure how to. Thank you, Sam

Thanks for catching that. I’ll correct it on the next update. — Tom

The Goletta Oceanica De Biot 39 is missing a decimal point in the LWL so it is throwing off all of the calculations.

David, There’s no simple answer to that. If you enjoy sailing the boat, it’s a good one. When you put the numbers into SailCalculator, it will return some basic information that can be very useful, but note that small, lightweight boats like the American 23 are sensitive to loading. The working displacement is actually the “Light Ship” displacement plus the weight of the average crew. Try adding the weights of you and your crew in SailCalculator and see how that affects the performance numbers. The people I have known who have the American 23 like it. It looks like a nice, stable daysailer. Enjoy! — Tom

I have American sailboat 23 ft. sailboat with a displacement 3500 lbs my keel is a 1000 lbs with a beam 7ft and 11 inch just wondering how good is this boat for sailing thanks

Mark, Very interesting. I can see why the Length/Beam ratio at the waterline would be the defining characteristic for hull speed. That can be an evasive number, I think. Multis with very narrow hulls will sink deeper into the water quickly as the boat is loaded, so the LWL/BWL could change dramatically. It seems that you’d have to be careful about specifying the displacement that produces a specific LWL/BWL ratio, don’t you think? Is there an issue of one hull being submerged more than the other when the boat is under sail? This seems especially important in trimarans, which often have one hull flying and the other deeply submerged, but a long, narrow cat would have some of the same response to a breeze. Keep me posted on your thoughts. I think you’ve hit on a key element here. — Tom

Hello, I’m a mechanical engineer and experienced multihull sailor that has long thought multihulls need a better performance parameter for comparison so sales guys can’t hoodwink people! I have some graduate school education from Dr. Marshall Tulin (UCSB) who has published many works regarding high-speed displacement mode for long slender hulls for naval/military applications and I think this work is very applicable to sailing multihulls. The critical parameter as far as hull drag for catamarans is really L/B at the waterline since other parameters as far as hull form go (prismatic coefficient) are generally within a narrow range. It has the benefit of implying displacement and waterline length as well, since a heavy boat must be either fat, or long to carry the displacement. As a result, I’ve been working on a parameter that includes both sail area and L/B at the waterline for performance comparisons. The trouble is Schionning is one of the few designers that cites L/B in all of his designs but it would be an easy measurement to take dockside, when the true displacement isn’t known.

Steve, I’ve never seen that formula but would love to have it. The speed of a multihull is largely a factor of the hull shapes, and most multis are not limited by the “Displacement Hull Speed” that determines the maximum speed of most monohulls. The hulls are generally long and narrow and do not create the speed-limiting waves. There are exceptions, and I think any formula that predicts the speed of a cat or tri would have to incorporate prismatic coefficient (“sharpness”). Most boats are not speed-limited by their sail area.

I’m looking for a formula that predicts potential performance of a cruising catamaran, in teh same way that SA/D does for monohulls. I saw teh formula years ago – it uses sail area and the second power (i.e., the square) of a factor, but I don’t recall anything else. Can you help me? -Steve

Charlie, Thank you for the compliment. I enjoy running the site and meeting so many people who love sailing. Good luck on your boat search; there are many good deals on used, mid-size cruising boats available now in the U.S. because builders flooded the market with 40-footers a few years ago. Now that so many Baby Boomers have finished their lifetime sailing adventures, the boats are for sale.

I’ve just been introduced to your site by a good friend from the US. Im looking for a retirement live aboard that can take me around the world. He gave me a potted history and speaks very highly of Carl Alder in this site in general. What a great tool. I’ll be flying to the states to view some boats that otherwise wouldn’t have even been on my Radar. Thank you Tom, Thank you Carl (Thank you Harvey).

Thanks for keeping Carl’s program alive, Tom. I sent him hundreds of small boat specs over the years and found quite a few errors from other inputs that Carl tried to correct. Between his poor vision, a lot of incorrect input (especially the difference between LOD versus LOA for most people) and the vague info from boat builders it was a long process. People should have supported him with far more donations, he was a good guy. Les Hall, San Antonio

Thanks for catching that, Paul. Yes, that would be a mighty powerful boat. It appears that the displacement should have been 14,500, so I corrected that. The SA/D ratio still looks a bit high, but I don’t know what the submitter used as a source. Enjoy the site and please send any other corrections you see. — Tom

Cavalier 37, LWL=30, Sail Area to Displacement=2314.05 Cant possibly be correct Great calculator, thanks for keeping it available. Cheers

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We provide measurements sourced from vendor documentation, along with calculated parameters commonly used to evaluate a sailboat's performance. Our database is continuously growing, and we also incorporate estimates generated by machine learning models trained on data from thousands of sailboats.

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The Sailboats Calculators below will enable you to calculate the main Sailboat Ratios, using data that you can retrieve from the Boat table or your own data.

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SA/D range of values

16 to 18 Heavy offshore cruisers 18 to 22 Medium cruisers 22 to 26 Inshore cruisers, racing boats 26 to 30+ Extreme racing boats

Ballast/Displacement:

A Ballast/Displacement ratio of 40 or more translates into a stiffer, more powerful boat that will be better able to stand up to the wind.

Displacement/Length:

The lower a boat’s Displacement/Length (LWL) ratio, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed.

less than 100 = Ultralight;

100-200 = Light;

200-275 = Moderate;

275-350 = Heavy;

350+ = Ultraheavy;

Comfort Ratio:

This is a ratio created by Ted Brewer as a measure of motion comfort. It provides a reasonable comparison between yachts of similar size and type. It is based on the fact that the faster the motion the more upsetting it is to the average person. Consider, though, that the typical summertime coastal cruiser will rarely encounter the wind and seas that an ocean going yacht will meet.

Numbers below 20 indicate a lightweight racing boat;

20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser;

30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat;

40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat ;

over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is expressed in feet.

Capsize Screening Formula (CSF):

Designed to determine if a boat has blue water capability. The CSF compares beam with displacement since excess beam contributes to capsize and heavy displacement reduces capsize vulnerability. The boat is better suited for ocean passages (vs coastal cruising) if the result of the calculation is 2.0 or less. The lower the better.

Hull Speed Calculator

Hull speed calculator is a simple calculator that determines a vessel’s hull speed based on the length of the vessel’s waterline.

Boat Speed Calculator

The boat speed calculator calculates the top speed of a boat based on the boat’s power and her displacement. If you try to understand how fast a boat can go, this calculator will help you answer that. The boat speed calculator utilizes a constant known as Crouch constant which differs based on the type of the boat.  

FOR MULTIHULLS ONLY:

Bn – bruce number:.

The Bruce Number is a power-to-weight ratio for relative speed potential for comparing two or more boats. It takes into consideration the displacement and sail area of main and jib. 100% fore-triangle only, no overlapping sails.

Chris White, “The Cruising Multihull”, (International Marine, Camden, Maine, 1997), states that a boat with a BN of less than 1.3 will be slow in light winds. A boat with a BN of 1.6 or greater is a boat that will be reefed often in offshore cruising.

Derek Harvey, “Multihulls for Cruising and Racing”, International Marine, Camden, Maine, 1991, states that a BN of 1 is generally accepted as the dividing line between so-called slow and fast multihulls.

BN = SA^0.5/(Disp. in pounds)^.333

Kelsall Sailing Performance (KSP):

Another measure of relative speed potential of a boat. It takes into consideration “reported” sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind.

KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*.05

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The Best Marine GPS to Navigate the Water with Ease

Safe traveling requires proper and accurate navigation, and this particularly holds true when you are out on the water. Whether you're out on a fishing trip or just cruising in a schooner, boat, or yacht, a marine GPS keeps you on your intended route. To make sure you're always on the right track, we've gathered the best marine GPS models of 2024 for your next trip. The  Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS is our favorite pick for its easy navigation and advanced features. For more options, check out our recommendations below as well as our detailed buying guide to help you make the best decision.

Our Top Picks For Marine GPS Models

• Best Overall: Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS Shop Now ➔
• Most Accurate GPS: Garmin ECHOMAP Marine GPS Shop Now ➔
• Most Intuitive Interface: Simrad Cruise Marine Chartplotter Shop Now ➔
• Most Affordable: Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7x SplitShot Marine GPS Shop Now ➔
• 1 Marine GPS, Explained
• 2 Chart Plotter vs Fish Finder
• 3 Essential Factors in a Marine GPS
• 4 Device durability goes a long way
• 5 Choosing the right kind of GPS device
• 6 Screen dimensions and interface matter
• 7 Must-Have Marine GPS Features
• 8 Pre-loaded maps and charts
• 9 Sonar scanners and transducers
• 10 More advanced features

What is the purpose of CHIRP technology?

Do i need to get map upgrades and additional charts, is it difficult to understand the marine gps interface, related articles, the best marine gps models of 2024, best overall.

Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS

This highly efficient and affordable marine GPS from Humminbird functions as both a chart plotter and fish finder, so you can always be ready for your next marine voyage. Features like higher resolution displays, enhanced target separation, and controlled image noise make navigation via the Humminbird HELIX 5 GPS much more seamless. 

This particular fish finder, with CHIRP sonar technology, ensures an in-depth screening up to 1,000 feet at multiple frequencies. It comes with preloaded maps and data, marking all possible entryway points, buoys , marinas, shores, and hazards. Furthermore, the built-in cartography tool allows advanced chart plotting, and the WAAS technology provides accurate fixes of global positioning within 8.2 feet. With amazing features rivaling its counterparts on a low budget, this is the best marine GPS on our list.

• MicroSD card allows additional map upgrades
• 5-inch widescreen for easy navigation
• Suitable for small to large-sized vessels
• Two different display modes
• Lacks a screen cover

Most Accurate GPS

Garmin ECHOMAP Marine GPS

If you are looking for a fish finder and chart plotter combo, the Garmin ECHOMAP Marine GPS will be your ultimate navigation companion. This device offers exceptionally advanced and accurate GPS technology that instantly updates your coordinates. It’s an efficient navigation device that provides extensive coverage of US coastal areas.

The 7-inch wide sunlight-readable, tiltable screen and the heavy-duty mounting system make this device a perfect partner for venturing out into the ocean. Meanwhile, its high-tech sonar scanning Panoptix feature with GT24 transducers provides a clear vision of what’s underneath your vessel and around you. Additionally, the ECHOMAP GPS also allows you to create personalized maps.

• Features preloaded maps for US coasts
• Easy to access menu
• High-definition visual quality
• Enhanced target separation with CHIRP sonar technology
• Requires upgrade for areas outside the US coasts

Most Intuitive Interface

Simrad Cruise Marine Chartplotter

Are you on the lookout for an advanced chart plotter that offers sophisticated hardware and software features at an affordable price range? Then the Simrad Cruise Chartplotter is the answer to your navigation woes. This marine GPS will keep you on course with the preloaded US coastal maps and enhanced chart support from Navionics and C-Map when cruising through the water. Plus, the 83/200 transducer is preprogrammed to provide enhanced depth tracking automatically. 

This GPS makes navigation a breeze with its intuitive control menu, rotary dial, and keypad design. The menu allows you to create customized routes and access information such as speed, temperature, and depth reading. What’s more, this topographical navigation device is particularly great for use over rough seas to always stay on course. 

• Available in three different screen dimensions
• Works in high seas and coastal waters
• Split-screen for access to essential information
• Easy installation and mounting
• The depth finder needs improvement

Most Affordable

Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7x SplitShot Marine GPS

The Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7x SplitShot Marine GPS functions as a fish finder, complete with a SplitShot transducer and GPS plotter. This multipurpose marine GPS transforms the traditionally confusing task of plotting fishing routes into a simple experience. Its detailed preloaded maps make navigation effortless and it even brings to life a comprehensive view of underwater topography. Its seamless interface learns from your interactions, making your navigational experience more personalized and intuitive with each use. It delivers on its promise of providing a hassle-free, superior navigational experience, and it’s also affordable to boot. 

• Detailed preloaded maps with GPS
• Easy to navigate user interface
• Good image quality on 7″ screen
• Fragile transducer susceptible to breaking

Marine GPS: The Ultimate Buying Guide

You can’t have an oceanic adventure without a sophisticated navigation system onboard. Whether heading into the lake for fishing or breaching the coastal territories to experience rough seas and waves, a marine GPS prioritizes your safety and keeps you on your intended course.

Unfortunately, the newer features, cutting-edge technology upgrades, and different types can be overwhelming. Should you opt for a mounting device or a handheld, portable variant? Do you need a fish finder -chart plotter combo, or is just a GPS tracker enough for your voyage? 

All of your questions are valid, and this buying guide addresses everything you need to know before getting yourself a marine navigation device.

Marine GPS, Explained

Marine GPS is an umbrella term for navigation devices that track a vessel’s location in coastal bodies. The primary function of a global positioning system (GPS) device is to pinpoint the location of any boat over a body of water and provide information about the surroundings. Marine GPS tools include different variants such as GPS radio, chart plotters, and fish finders.

Chart Plotter vs Fish Finder

The two major categories of marine GPS are chart plotters and fish finders, each serving specific functions. Mariners often opt for hybrid GPSes, which offer a combination of both variants in a single device. While getting a marine GPS that functions as both a chart plotter and fish finder enhances the device’s effectiveness, it also costs you a few extra bucks. 

So, it’s important to explore the difference between both marine GPS variants. That way, you can determine whether you need a chart plotter , a fish finder, or a hybrid.

A chart plotter is a navigation tool that utilizes GPS satellites to pinpoint your location when you are in a coastal area or surrounded by water. The chart plotting device utilizes map coordinates in relation to your speed and directional data to ensure that you are on your intended course. Thus, it minimizes the risk of getting lost or losing track when you are in the ocean.

Fish finders are specifically for mariners who venture out into the water for fishing purposes. This device utilizes sonar scanning technology and transducers to pinpoint areas with a shoal of fish. If you are a dedicated angler, you’ll appreciate the chart plotter/fish finder combo.

Essential Factors in a Marine GPS

Device durability goes a long way.

Marine GPS devices are mostly a one-time investment that may cost you some serious money. Therefore, you want a device that runs its natural course and provides optimal performance with perfect durability. 

Most importantly, a premium-quality marine navigation device should be waterproof or water-resistant since wave splashes are expected in a vessel. Additionally, you can use protective covers over the GPS to keep it safe from water exposure and enhance its durability. A marine GPS with a waterproof rating ranging from IPX 0 to IPX8 ensures functionality, even when faced with moisture, humidity, or water exposure.

Choosing the right kind of GPS device

Besides chart plotters and fish finders, there are other types of marine GPS based on their mounting style and portability. The different kinds of marine GPS you can opt for can be a hand-held device, dash-mounted GPS, or a portable option, depending on your vessel size and usage.

Portable GPS devices make a great navigation companion for smaller boats like kayaks. Meanwhile, dashboard-mounted GPS devices work better for larger vessels with better features and sophisticated navigation measures.

Screen dimensions and interface matter

When you are aboard a vessel, the device’s screen dimension and interface matter a lot for ease of accessing data and information. Larger screen dimensions are more user-friendly and convenient for mariners.

Must-Have Marine GPS Features

Pre-loaded maps and charts.

Your marine GPS can cost you much more if it has pre-installed maps and charts, but they’re very useful. Preloaded maps make navigation more accurate, providing all the essential information regarding the area, hazards, and entry points. Also, users have to opt for map upgrades if they wish to utilize the device on international coasts, so most GPS devices come with an additional SD card for that purpose.

Sonar scanners and transducers

Suppose you are going for a fish finder GPS. In that case, you need a high-quality transducer system and sonar scanning technology to provide accurate data on what’s beneath the water’s surface. One of the most recent technologies, CHIRP sonar, ensures proper depth range and is quite a popular feature in marine GPSes.

More advanced features

When your marine GPS has the best features, you can expect enhanced navigation and optimal performance. Wi-fi connectivity, distress signals, and a VHS transmitter further elevate the navigation experience. However, the choice of additional features depends on what you require from your marine GPS device.    

People Also Asked

Abbreviated for compressed high-intensity radar pulse (CHIRP), this sonar tech utilizes multiple frequency levels, providing detailed imaging and clarity of what’s beneath the surface. CHIRP technology is most effective for fishfinders.

Most marine GPS manufacturers offer preloaded maps of the US and surrounding coastal areas. Map upgrades aren’t required if you are in the US and adjoining territories. But, if you are exploring international coasts, you might need some additional map and chart upgrades.

If you are a nautical newbie, a marine GPS interface can have a bit of a learning curve. With the complex functions navigational GPS devices serve, it’s understandable for mariners to take their time to understand the device’s interface. That said, reputed brands and manufacturers always ensure an easy-to-decipher interface, high-definition visuals, and intuitive menu controls to get the most out of navigation devices.

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• Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

Winches Part 2

8 winches, old and new, get a serious sea trial..

In our second look at sailboat winches, we put the deck hardware into action, sea trialing traditional winches that have stood the test of time as well as the newest trends in winch design. Our goal was to hone in on the operational aspects of each winch, scrutinizing how each drum handled line loads and noting which drum shapes were less prone to overrides. Testers also compared the effectiveness of self-tailing systems and the various drum surface finishes used to keep the line from slipping.

In order to expand on observations made during our winch bench testing, which was reported on in Part 1 of this series ( The Ubiquitous Winch , PS August 2016 online), testers tracked down a number of cruising boats and racers equipped with the hardware we were evaluating. After sailing aboard a variety of sailboats, testers weighed the winches performance results and their observations to further define what each winch had to offer.

What We Tested

To keep within the parameters of the initial review, we narrowed our focus to winch options appropriate for 30- to 45-foot sailboats and went sailing on boats that fit within this size range. This led us to the major manufacturers of deck hardware: Andersen, Harken, Lewmar, Selden, and Antal. We also evaluated winches from Pontos, a newcomer to PS testing; details on this company and its products can be found in the August 2016 winch review .

Although a surprising number of midsized cruisers are turning to pushbutton winches, for now, our attention is aimed at manual winches. We must point out, however, that Andersen, Harken, Lewmar, and Antal offer manual winches that can be converted to power.

Sea-trialing refurbished, old winch favorites gave us a benchmark for measuring new product innovations. We bench tested, disassembled, inspected, measured, weighed, and micro-photographed both the new designs and the old standbys. Testers noted many valuable advancements and ergonomic upgrades in the new winches, but one trend-an increased number of plastic parts-raised questions about longevity.

How We Tested

During the sea trials, we evaluated how easy it was to wrap a sheet around the drum, ease it under load, and strip it off in a tack. We looked closely at self-tailers versus an open drum top and why most serious racing sailors still favor the non-self-tailing winch when it comes to sheet and guy handling.

In Part 1 of this series, gear ratio grabbed our attention, and the Pontos four-speed Grinder and Trimmer models were bench-test standouts. We made a special trip to Maine to test sail these innovative winches aboard Bernie Blums 39-foot InBox, a unique Bob Perry design that Blum has set up for single-handed cruising and club racing.

In addition to sea-trialing these new winches, we surveyed three professional sailmakers who commented on what winch attributes they look for aboard the wide range of boats that they sail. Those interviews appear with the online version of this article at www.practical-sailor.com.

During our initial inspections, testers noted the advantages of a slight taper on the drum shape. This helps coax line downward on the drum to alleviate overrides.

As for drum surfaces, typically, the operator can control friction on any winch. One wrap is for fast hauling, and three wraps are for winching, but this is just a starting point. Heavy loads on a narrow-radius drum may require more wraps than the same load on a large-radius drum. Also wrapping and unwrapping to control loads can be counter-productive.

Friction from a ribbed drum, popularized by Andersen winches, is a great friend when trimming. Others use knurled or abrasive drums. Too much grip can be a problem, however, when a slight, smooth ease is desired. Likewise, having to take turns off the drum in order to simply ease a sheet is counter-productive. The fact that Harken and other makers are adopting ribbed drum surface made us eager to compare drum designs.

The older winches that are still in service today gave us an important longevity baseline. Establishing which products have survived the test of time-and which design factors and material selection have enabled their longevity-set the stage for a comparative analysis. Our intent was to compare and contrast the new winches designs and materials with what has worked in the past, concluding with a look at operational efficiency as well as the potential for durability.

Old-school Survivors

Barient is still probably one of the most familiar names in marine winches, even though production stopped more than a decade ago after the company was purchased by Lewmar. West Marine, among other retailers, still sells replacement parts for these winches, and with proper care, even the aluminum Barient winches can be kept in fine working order for years to come. (See Winch Servicing Basics , PS October 2016 online.) With a new winch costing several hundred dollars, repairing an old winch is often the most cost-effective option.

This past summer, PS Technical Editor Ralph Naranjo spent five days sailing the East Coast aboard a 28-year-old McCurdy and Rhodes 44 (ex-Navy 44) with its original set of Barient winches. The hardware had recently been stripped cleaned and inspected, and worn pawls had been replaced. The maintenance process for these winches is relatively easy since the winch components can be removed, leaving the base in place. One of the reasons that these stainless-steel winches on the former Navy boats have held up is that the boats design spec called for oversized hardware. This meant that the winches had an extra safety margin to cope with the shock loads of a knockdown and could handle the cranking power of an uber-fit midshipman. Regular maintenance also ensured longevity. In our opinion, old Barients (or the Australian-made look-alikes from Barlow) can continue to offer good service if maintained and properly oversized for the job; they are Budget Buy picks.

Modern Winches

Initially, we were a little concerned about catalog and advertising blurbs that began with terms like styling upgrades, a modern look and lighter than ever. In other industries, these are code words for lesser quality and planned obsolescence, so throughout our testing, we were on the lookout for shortcuts in quality.

The glass-reinforced plastic used in newer winches has proved durable in other applications, but for those whod prefer traditional, high-nickel-content stainless and bronze winches, that option remains. Harken, Lewmar, Andersen, and Antal still offer lineups of traditional, all metal or mostly metal winches. Prices for many of these classics can be higher, but depending on the brand, the gap is not as great as one might expect.

Lewmar designs and manufactures winches that fit a wide range of sailboat sizes, and despite a significant trend toward electric and hydraulic products (a topic for future investigation), it continues to offer a variety of manual winches, including its time-proven Ocean model lineup. Recently, however, its less expensive Evo self-tailing and open-top winches have been garnering favor from both racers and cruisers. Its quick, no tool disassembly expedites servicing, and a center stem supports the spindle, ratchet, and pawl gears, as well as a bearing pack that does its job.

We sailed a race boat and a cruiser with the Lewmar Evo self-tailers and compared them with the classic line of stainless-steel Ocean winches used on the Navy 44 MKII. The Lewmar feeder arm and self-tailing jaw on the new Evo were quite unobtrusive compared to those on the Ocean winches. Even purists who would typically eschew adding weight or complexity have set up their club and ocean racers with self-tailers.

The Evos have a textured drum surface that grips sheets and halyards effectively and also delivers a smooth, even easing capacity. The new Lewmar winch handle is easy to lock in place and to release, plus the hand grip with a rotating top knob allows the grinder to use two hands when the loads increase.

Bottom line: The new Evo winches are an attractive price-point alternative for the popular Ocean Series, particularly for casual cruisers and racers. That said, the Ocean Series winches have a proven durability that will appeal strongly to the offshore cruising sailor. Recommended.

Harkens latest lineup includes Radial and Performa models plus its Classic winch line, which features a tried-and-proven, all-metal design available in bronze, chrome bronze, and stainless steel. Harken has tried several drum shapes and surfaces, and for the Performa line, the maker settled on a surface that is sandblasted and a radially ribbed drum. This combination allows more holding power with fewer wraps but still allows smooth easing.

Under sail, we liked the function of the 402STAs one-piece line guide and peeler. Time will tell whether the composite bearings and other injection-molded parts will hold up as well as the metallurgy in its Classic models, but two things were clear: Both the Performa and Radial winches were ergonomically designed, and the drums did an effective job taming the lines.

Bottom line: Production boatbuilders have flocked to Harken hardware in recent years, and this growth in domestic sales has prompted more research and development-as well as a steady supply of spare parts. Recommended.

Andersens 40ST is a carefully crafted, all-metal winch with an aluminum-bronze alloy base and internal support structure for its stainless steel, vertically ribbed drum. Bronze gears rotate on well-supported, stainless-steel axles, and ball and roller bearings are used to reduce friction. These winches have long been recognized for their structural quality and reliability and are favored among many long-distance cruisers.

Testers liked how the jib sheets behaved on the polished and ribbed stainless-steel drum. The ribs provide sufficient line-holding power to resist sheet tension while still allowing the line to vertically slide and stack evenly on the drum as the sail trimmed. When it came time to ease a sheet, the line conveniently slid off the drum without any tension spikes or line surges.

Bottom line: Well-made winches with worldwide cruiser appeal and easy parts availability, the Andersen 40ST is a Best Choice.

The Antal XT40 is a winch with an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, history. Its base is a high-strength, machined part as opposed to an anodized aluminum casting found in other winches. Bronze gears and stainless-steel shafts, along with a chrome bronze or anodized aluminum drum, are galvanically isolated with washers.

The self-tailer auto adapts to a wide range of line diameters. It also has a feature that allows the line to slip if the self-tailer arm is overloaded. This keeps the self-tailing mechanism from being damaged and prevents lines from wedging in so hard that it prevents release.

Bottom line: The vertical knurling on the chrome drum provided ample friction and still allows smooth release. The positive ratcheting function easily locks into place. This model was recently updated with a different drum mechanism and renamed the XT series. Recommended.

Selden has two winch designs, and in our bench testing and on-the-water trials, they delivered just what the specs called for. The R40 is a reversing winch in which the handle stays set while sailing, and the helmsperson simply counter-rotates the winch handle; the smooth easing action affords a fine-tune trim control of the jib sheet. We set off with a fair share of skepticism about the benefit of a reversing winch, but after a few tacks, we found it a to be a logical pathway to better sail trim. Its a great feature for the daysailor or club racer who sails shorthanded.

The S40 is a lightweight, two-speed winch that makes one-person sheeting a breeze. With the line snugly gripped by the self-tailer and the winch handle in place, you can manually pull in the slack without any added friction. When the load is too much, start cranking. No more fiddling to fit the loaded line in the tailer and put the winch handle in place.

The base is a well-designed composite structure, and we plan to long-term test the winch to see how well the materials hold up in comparison to winches with metal base assemblies.

Bottom line: Seldens reputation for solid engineering and fabrication rings true in its winch offerings. Both the S40 and R40 are Recommended.

At the heart of Pontos Trimmer and Grinder winches is a unique clutch-and-trigger mechanism that auto-downshifts and upshifts according to the rotary force applied by the winch handle. This auto-shifting action seamlessly bridges two, higher speed/lower power gear ratios with two lower speed/higher power gear ratios. In essence, Pontos four-speed winches provide a much wider gear-ratio range in a winch that looks like a conventional two-speed.

In field tests, the Trimmer delivered the goods, taking all of the drudgery out of sheeting the last few inches on a highly loaded genoa. The process is a bit like down-shifting on a 10-speed while trying to climb a steep hill. What had been a two-handed strain became an easy one-handed twist. Testers were particularly pleased with the Grinder version of the winch, which has a ratio range that proves a real value in fast tacking and in outside asymmetric spinnaker jibes.

Bottom line: The Trimmers four-speed transmission worked flawlessly, and the execution of an innovative design impressed testers during field trials. Another Best Choice pick.

Testers found something to recommend in each of the winches. It came down to preferences. Our focus on drum surface adaptations showed the new textures improved grip at little cost to lines. Testers liked the Harkens diagonal ribs when it came to one-wrap trimming. The Lewmar Evos abrasive drum gripped sheets like the brakes on a Porsche. Andersen and Antal excelled in rugged design, while Selden delivered innovative tools for shorthanded sailing.

Innovations that showed up in our bench testing delivered the goods during sea trials. Under sail, the Best Choice Pontos Trimmer proved to be the most innovative new design, especially for shorthanded cruisers or racers.

The auto-shifting, four-speed gear selection process was hands-free and dead easy. As soon as we got to about 25 pounds of input load, there was a noticeable click, signaling that the person cranking should reverse the direction to shift gears. Doing so yielded a lower gear ratio, and if that was not enough, you could revers cranking direction two more times to harness the lowest gear (highest power). The net effect is a low-low gear with a super hauling power ratio.

If the wind slackens and the cranking requirements become less demanding, theres another clicking sound and the low-range doublet auto-upshifts back into normal two-speed operation. Without a doubt, the innovation award goes to Pontos for designing a four-speed, auto-shifting manual winch, and building it with easy-to-service, modularized components.

The only question our testing leaves unresolved is the durability issue. Internally, the Pontos Trimmer is an elegant bit of engineering, but it is more complex than the average, two-speed winch, and it has are more plastic parts-though disassembly and parts replacement are easy to do. We wonder about the toll that temperature changes, grit, and chemical contamination can have on these winches a few decades down the road. However, the big advantages of the engineering offset these concerns, in our opinion.

• Winches: Ratios and Reality

Efficiency is a key attribute in a winch, although this difficult to assess at a glance—thus, our many repeated tests on the water and in the lab.

1.The Pontos Grinder and Trimmer differ in their four-speed ratios.

2. Selden’s reversible R40 switches into ease mode with the push of a winch-handle button.

3. Winch-drum radius is a key dimension when it comes to calculating a winch’s power ratio.

4. Selden uses a simple metric hex wench to release the S40’s top plate, enabling disassembly.

5. The angles iin Harken’s radially ribbed and textured drum are designed to prevent over-rides and facilitate a smooth release.

6. A ancient, two-speed Barlow 28 with an aftermarket selftailer assembly still does the job.

• Anderson Winches
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