To choose the right Harken winch, match the winch size number to the load on the line, then pick the family that fits how you sail: Radial for everyday cruising, Performa for performance trimming, Rewind or Radial Electric when the loads are more than a crew can grind, and Hydraulic on the largest boats. Harken builds its winches in a few clear families, so once you know your sail area, your boat length and how you handle the boat, the choice narrows quickly.
Harken winches at a glance
| Family | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Radial Self-Tailing | Harken's core manual self-tailing range, in aluminum, chrome and bronze finishes. | The default choice for cruising boats: reliable, serviceable, and self-tailing so one hand is free to trim. |
| Performa Self-Tailing | A higher-performance manual range with a lighter, faster action. | For performance cruisers and racers who trim often and want quicker, smoother handling. |
| Rewind & Radial Electric | Powered self-tailing winches (12V / 24V); Rewind drives the drum in both directions. | For shorthanded crews and larger sailplans, where hand-grinding a loaded sheet is impractical. |
| Hydraulic | Powered winches driven off the boat's hydraulic system, in the largest sizes. | For big-boat systems where sustained high loads make hydraulic drive the practical answer. |
How is a Harken winch size number chosen?
The number on a Harken winch — 20, 30, 35, 40, 46, 50 and up — reflects its power ratio: the higher the number, the more mechanical advantage the winch delivers for the same effort on the handle. You choose the size by the load the winch has to handle, which comes from your sail area, the boat's length and the point of use. As a rule of thumb, primary (headsail sheet) winches carry the heaviest loads and take the largest size; halyard and control-line winches are usually smaller. When a load sits between two sizes, size up — an oversized winch is easier to trim and wears less than one worked at its limit.
How do I choose between Radial and Performa?
Both are manual self-tailing winches that share Harken's sizing, so a Radial 40 and a Performa 40 offer the same power ratio. The difference is feel and priority. The Radial range is the durable, value-focused core line built for cruising, where reliability and easy service matter most. The Performa range is lighter and faster in the hand, aimed at crews who trim constantly and want performance-boat responsiveness. If you cruise, start with Radial; if you race or sail a performance cruiser, look at Performa.
Why choose a self-tailing winch?
A self-tailing winch grips the tail of the line in a stripper jaw, so it holds the load without a second crew member tailing by hand. That frees one person to trim single-handed and makes short-handed sailing far safer and less tiring. Nearly all of Harken's cruising and performance winches are self-tailing for this reason; plain-top winches remain for specific race applications where a dedicated tailer is preferred.
How do I know when to move to an electric or hydraulic winch?
The trigger is load versus crew. If trimming a genoa or grinding a halyard under load has become a two-person job — or a job your crew can no longer do comfortably — a powered winch removes the effort. Harken's Rewind and Radial Electric winches drive the drum electrically while keeping full manual override with a handle; Rewind can also ease line under power, not just trim in. On the largest boats, where loads are sustained and high, hydraulic winches driven off the boat's own hydraulic system are the practical choice. Match the powered winch to the same size logic you would use for a manual one, then confirm the electrical or hydraulic drive is rated for your system.
Frequently asked questions
What size Harken winch do I need?
Size by the load, not the boat alone: your primaries carry the most load and take the largest number, while halyard and control winches are smaller. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one — it trims more easily and lasts longer. Confirm the exact size against Harken's own winch sizing guidance for your sail area.
Are Harken Radial and Performa winches interchangeable in size?
Yes for power ratio — a Radial and a Performa of the same number share the same sizing. They differ in weight, action and price, not in mechanical advantage.
Can I convert a manual Harken winch to electric?
Many Harken winches can be upgraded with an electric conversion rather than replaced outright. The right kit depends on the specific winch model and your boat's power system, so check the conversion options for your exact winch.
Do Harken winches need servicing?
Yes. Winches are mechanical and should be stripped, cleaned and re-greased on a regular schedule so the pawls and bearings keep working reliably under load.