Choose an Andersen self-tailing winch for crewed boats under 50 feet, and step up to an electric model for shorthanded sailing, boats over 40 feet, or whenever sheet loads regularly exceed about 800 lbs. The second decision is sizing: match the winch number to your boat's sail area and typical line loads so it handles the working range with margin to spare.
Andersen winches are built in Denmark from marine-grade stainless steel with a sealed, self-tailing jaw system, available in sizes from compact units for day sailors up to heavy-duty models for offshore cruisers over 60 feet. This guide walks through how they work, the self-tailing versus electric choice, and how to size one to your rig.
Andersen winches at a glance
| Dimension | Self-Tailing (Manual) | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Crewed boats under 50 ft | Shorthanded / boats over 40 ft |
| Power input | Winch handle + crew grinding | 12V or 24V DC motor, push-button |
| Manual backup | N/A | Yes — accepts a standard handle |
| Typical sheet-load range | Up to ~800 lbs comfortably | 800 lbs and above |
| Drum construction | Sealed stainless steel | Sealed stainless steel |
| Main advantage | Simplicity, reliability, low cost | Safety and ease when shorthanded |
How does a sailboat winch work?
A sailing winch converts rotational input from a winch handle — or an electric motor in powered units — into high mechanical advantage through an internal gear train and a ratcheting pawl system. Wrap a line clockwise around the drum, turn the handle, and internal pawls engage a toothed ring gear that drives the drum while preventing reverse slip. Andersen models deliver gear ratios ranging from roughly 1:1 up to about 50:1 depending on winch size.
Self-tailing winches add a fixed stripper arm and a rotating jaw at the top of the drum that grips the tail of the line automatically, freeing one hand during trimming. Electric winches replace manual handle input with a 12V or 24V DC motor mounted below or inside the drum housing and activated by a cockpit switch. The core mechanical operation — pawls, drum, gear stages — is identical between manual and electric variants.
Self-tailing vs electric: which Andersen winch do you need?
A self-tailing winch is the standard choice for most cruising and racing sailboats where crew is on hand to grind. Andersen's self-tailing jaw is adjustable across a wide range of line diameters, and the multi-speed gearing on larger units provides low-effort fine-trimming upwind without switching handle modes. Compared with an aluminum-drum competitor, Andersen self-tailers are noted for a stiff jaw grip under load and a fully sealed stainless drum base that resists saltwater ingress offshore.
Electric winches make the most sense on shorthanded cruising boats over 40 feet, where genoa loads regularly exceed 800–1,000 lbs and two-speed manual grinding becomes exhausting. Andersen's electric range runs on 12V or 24V DC, with 24V recommended for larger boats to reduce current draw and cable sizing. Crucially, electric models retain full manual operation — insert a standard handle and they behave exactly like a manual self-tailer, which is essential redundancy offshore.
How are Andersen winches sized by boat length and sail area?
Andersen's numerical sizing corresponds to the winch's working load: a larger number means more mechanical advantage. The practical method is to estimate your maximum sheet load from sail area and typical wind speed, then choose a winch whose rated capacity exceeds that figure by at least 25%. Halyard winches are usually sized one step down from sheet winches, since halyard loads are steadier and less dynamic than sheet loads during a tack.
| Boat length / type | Typical sail area | Recommended Andersen size |
|---|---|---|
| 25–30 ft daysailer / racer | 250–350 sq ft | #12 |
| 30–38 ft cruiser-racer | 350–550 sq ft | #18 or #28 |
| 38–50 ft bluewater cruiser | 550–900 sq ft | #28 or #40 |
| 50–65 ft offshore / performance | 900–1,400 sq ft | #46 or #62 |
Always confirm your line diameter falls within the drum's recommended range, and remember that smaller boats can run efficient single-speed self-tailers where a larger rig needs two or three speeds.
How do you use a self-tailing winch correctly?
Lead the sheet or halyard to the drum at a fair angle — roughly 5–10° below horizontal — to prevent riding turns, then take three to four clockwise wraps around the drum before loading. Feed the tail up through the stripper arm and seat it firmly in the jaw so it grips under light hand tension. Insert a standard or locking winch handle, grind clockwise to engage power mode, and on multi-speed winches reverse the handle direction to shift gear ratios without removing it. To ease, palm the drum and use the jaw as a brake — never release the tail suddenly under heavy load.
How do you maintain an Andersen winch?
The all-stainless drum and top cap eliminate the galvanic corrosion and anodizing wear common on aluminum-drum winches. Andersen recommends a full strip-and-regrease service every 12 months for saltwater use, or every 24 months for freshwater or light use. Use a waterproof marine grease on bearing surfaces and a light dry lubricant on the pawl springs; never use WD-40 or penetrating oils inside a winch, as they dissolve grease and cause pawl failure. With correct servicing, an Andersen stainless winch can deliver 15–20 years of reliable offshore service.
Frequently asked questions
How are Andersen sailboat winches sized?
They are sized by matching the winch's load rating to your boat's sheet loads, calculated from sail area, boat length, and line diameter. Choose a winch whose rated capacity exceeds your peak sheet load by at least 25%.
How does an Andersen self-tailing winch work?
A rotating stripper arm and jaw at the top of the drum automatically grip and feed the line as you crank, so no second crew member is needed to tail the sheet. The internal two- or three-speed gearing multiplies your input force.
When should I choose an electric winch over a self-tailing winch?
Choose electric when shorthanded sailing, offshore passages, or heavy headsails make manual cranking impractical or unsafe — typically on boats over 40 feet or where loads regularly exceed about 800 lbs. Electric models still accept a manual handle as backup.
How many winches does a sailboat need?
Most boats need at least two primary winches for the headsail sheets, plus additional winches for halyards, reefing lines, and the mainsheet depending on rig complexity. Size each position to its expected load rather than fitting identical units everywhere.
Can I retrofit an electric winch where a manual one is installed?
Often yes — Andersen electric models use standardized base footprints that frequently match existing manual mounts, provided the deck supports the added weight and you can run a dedicated 12V or 24V DC circuit rated for the model's peak amperage.
What line diameter does an Andersen winch accept?
The self-tailing jaw is adjustable across a range of line diameters, with larger winches accepting thicker line. Always verify your specific model's drum and jaw range before selecting sheet or halyard sizes.
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