peaman
Sustaining Member
I’d like to upgrade the winches and clutches at the companion way, but want to be very careful to get it right. Presently, I have a Barient 10, port and starboard for reef lines and halyards, all run through clutches, as well as a Barient 18 2-speed on starboard side for the main sheet. (Photos below.) I’m told that my winch placement is “non-standard” for the 32-3, for what that’s worth. Even an 8” winch handle on the starboard halyard winch will rub on the dodger before running into the adjacent main sheet winch. The triple clutch sets port and starboard are different models, and both interfere with the dodger when opened. And none of the winches are self-tailing


I have about decided to replace the two Barient 10’s with a new pair of Lewmar chrome Ocean 14ST. I haven’t decided yet what to do with the main sheet winch.
I am considering swapping the positions of the main sheet winch with the stbd halyard winch so the halyard winches both flank the companionway, with the mainsheet winch placed outboard.
With three self-tailing winches, I will remove all of the horn cleats in that area, allowing more room for best placement of winches.
For clutches, I had considered using Lewmar DC2 triples, but am concerned about the potential for line slippage due to the less positive stopping mechanism compared to Spinlock and others. As for Spinlock, I like the small form factor of their XAS clutches, but wonder if their load capacity of 1270 lb is adequate, versus the much larger XTR clutches with around twice the load rating.
I will welcome any comments on the above, particularly as to winch size, placement of winches on stbd side as described, and selection of clutch sets.


I have about decided to replace the two Barient 10’s with a new pair of Lewmar chrome Ocean 14ST. I haven’t decided yet what to do with the main sheet winch.
I am considering swapping the positions of the main sheet winch with the stbd halyard winch so the halyard winches both flank the companionway, with the mainsheet winch placed outboard.
With three self-tailing winches, I will remove all of the horn cleats in that area, allowing more room for best placement of winches.
For clutches, I had considered using Lewmar DC2 triples, but am concerned about the potential for line slippage due to the less positive stopping mechanism compared to Spinlock and others. As for Spinlock, I like the small form factor of their XAS clutches, but wonder if their load capacity of 1270 lb is adequate, versus the much larger XTR clutches with around twice the load rating.
I will welcome any comments on the above, particularly as to winch size, placement of winches on stbd side as described, and selection of clutch sets.