I've been looking into replacing the non self-tailing genoa sheet winches on our 1982 C&C 32. Two new Lewmars would be on the order of $2500, and that's a bit stiff for this year's budget. So I'm looking for alternatives.

The Australian Yacht Winch Company, which I understand bought out a lot of Barient's tooling and spares, says that they will convert my current standard winches to self-tailing for about $400 per winch plus freight.Here's what's included (from their e-mail to me)
a) modification of drum and gearbox to accept spring-loaded self-tailing system
b) Top @ Bottom Jaw; Rope Guide
c) Refurbish drum: chrome plate or polish for bronze drums; polish stainless steel drums; re-anodize aluminium drums"
This process will take 5 working days, plus shipping time, and looks to come in well under $1000. The added benefit is that I won't have to change the mounting in any way; just un-bolt the "old" and re-bolt the "new." I'm intrigued.

Has anyone had any experience with this or similar conversions? Any dealings with The Australian Yacht Winch Company? Advice?
Walter J. Dickie, Ph.D.

Don't do it! Just bought two remanufactured ST Lewmars from an outfit called the Winch Exchange for less than $1,000. Got a ST30 & ST40 (chrome). They look like new with a few minor dings here and there. They sere shipped directly from Lewmar. My guess is they were actually factory seconds.

There is one more point I would make about having a winch on the boom for reefing.In many situations, you will be trying to reef, after it has already started blowing. In that case you may not be able to keep the boat on its feet with the boom centered. Therefore it is very risky to have someone standing up trying to use a winch on the boom when the boom is well off center and the boat is in heavy seas. It would be much safer, in my opinion, to have the reefing lines run from the boom to the goose neck and down to the cabin top. Someone sitting on the cabin top grinding on a winch is much better off in bad weather than standing up in the cockpit.

I'm looking into buying a set of self tailing winches for my C&C 33. I'm looking for a pair in the 44 - 46 size range. I've read the Practical Sailor review from over the summer and they discuss Lewmar, Harken, and Andersen. In doing some searching on the Net, I've come across two other vendors ARCO and Alcrom. ARCO is an Australian company. I think the Alcrom is Russian (although I'm less clear on that). My question is, does anyone have any experience with either company or their products? I'm just trying to do some research before parting with a bunch of money.
Thanks, - Dennis Kunc - 1976 C&C 33 "Night Train" - Mentor, Ohio

Had an ARCO 6 on my previous boat (Catalina 22) and found that it was OK. Like the ribs on the Andersen (no relation), and would part with the money for them. As you said, Practical Sailor gave the Andersen the nod.
Neil - FoxFire - 1982 C&C32

I just had a look and found we have Maxwell 26's (2 speed self tailing) on Diversion.
Any comments - good or bad - about these winches.
Stu

From experience they have too much play on the raceway not to mention that the needle bearings are held by a plastic bushing.

Hi Tom,
Thanks for responding to my question. I will probably use my existing primary winches to replace the smaller spinnaker winches. If I decide otherwise, I will keep you in mind. My present primary winches are Barient #18's and are probably the smallest winch that C&C put on these boats. I think it's time to change them before someone strains themselves and gets hurt. My present spinnaker winches are Barient #10 single speed.
Regards, - Ted Drossos - C&C 29 mkII