Lewmar winches are chosen by matching your yacht's sail area and application (sheet, halyard, or topping lift) to a winch power ratio, then deciding between manual self-tailing and electric drive for the loads you expect to handle. Use the Lewmar sizing chart below as your starting point, then refine the choice around crew size, sail area, and how hard the line will load under sail.
Lewmar winch selection at a glance
| Decision | What drives it | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Winch size (power) | Sail area & application | Cross-reference boat length / sail area against genoa, spinnaker, or mainsail area columns in the chart below. |
| Manual vs. electric | Crew strength & load | Manual self-tailing suits most cruisers; electric pays off on larger sails, short-handed crews, and primary sheet winches. |
| Runner & mainsheet winches | Purchase system & dynamic load | Size up: dynamic sail loads rise sharply in gusts and are higher than static estimates. |
| Multihulls | Higher righting moment | Choose a larger winch than a monohull of equivalent length; consult a rigger. |
How do I read the Lewmar winch size chart?
Efficient sail handling begins with selecting the correct winch. The chart matches application, yacht size, and winch power. Cross-reference your yacht size (for masthead rigs) or sail area (for fractional rigs) with the application — genoa, spinnaker, or mainsail — to determine the appropriate winch. For a personalized recommendation, send your deck and sail plans to your Lewmar representative or the MAURIPRO Rigging Team.
| Sail Area | Genoa | Spinnaker | Main | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Length Overall | ft2 | m2 | ft2 | m2 | ft2 | m2 |
| 6.1 - 7.6m (20 - 25ft) | 200 | 19 | 300 | 28 | 120 | 11 |
| 7.6 - 8.8m (25 - 29ft) | 300 | 28 | 400 | 37 | 150 | 14 |
| 8.8 - 10.1m (29 - 33ft) | 350 | 33 | 600 | 56 | 180 | 17 |
| 10.1 - 10.7m (33 - 35ft) | 470 | 44 | 800 | 74 | 210 | 20 |
| 10.7 - 11.3m (35 - 37ft) | 550 | 51 | 1000 | 93 | 230 | 21 |
| 11.3 - 11.9m (37 - 39ft) | 600 | 56 | 1200 | 111 | 260 | 24 |
| 11.9 - 12.5m (39 - 41ft) | 750 | 70 | 1400 | 130 | 300 | 28 |
| 12.8 - 14.6m (42 - 48ft) | 900 | 84 | 1600 | 149 | 350 | 33 |
| 14.6 - 16.8m (48 - 55ft) | 1500 | 139 | 3000 | 279 | 750 | 70 |
| 16.8 - 18.9m (55 - 62ft) | 1900 | 177 | 3800 | 353 | 875 | 81 |
| 18.9 - 21.6m (62 - 71ft) | 2300 | 214 | 4600 | 427 | 1000 | 93 |
Should I choose a manual or electric Lewmar winch?
Manual self-tailing winches cover the majority of cruising and racing applications and let one crew member tail and grind at the same time. Electric winches earn their place on larger yachts, short-handed crews, and high-load positions such as primary sheet and mainsheet winches, where a full-strength grind on every trim becomes impractical. When in doubt, size the winch for the hardest-loaded line it will ever handle — not the average day.
What about runner, mainsheet, and multihull winches?
Runner and mainsheet winch sizing depends on the purchase system fitted and the loads you expect. Dynamic sail loads can increase significantly under gusts and heavy conditions, so it is safer to size up rather than down. Multihulls generally have a higher righting moment than monohulls of equivalent length, which produces higher dynamic loading and calls for larger winch sizes — confirm the choice with your Lewmar representative or rigger.
Which Lewmar winch handle should I pair with my winch?
The handle completes the system. A locking handle stays seated in the winch socket so it cannot pop out under load, while non-locking handles trade that security for a lower price and quick removal. Ten-inch handles give more leverage for higher-load winches; eight-inch handles are lighter and faster for smaller ones. Chrome offers durability and a premium feel, aluminum saves weight, and floating handles resist loss overboard.
Frequently asked questions
How do I size a Lewmar winch for my boat?
Match your boat length overall or sail area to the application column (genoa, spinnaker, or main) in the Lewmar sail area chart. For custom rigs, send your deck and sail plans to the MAURIPRO Rigging Team for a tailored recommendation.
When is an electric Lewmar winch worth it?
Electric winches make sense on larger yachts, short-handed crews, and high-load positions like primary sheet and mainsheet winches, where hand-grinding every trim is impractical.
Do multihulls need bigger winches than monohulls?
Yes. Multihulls have a higher righting moment than monohulls of equivalent length, producing higher dynamic loads, so they generally require larger winch sizes.
What size Lewmar winch handle do I need?
Ten-inch handles give more leverage for higher-load winches, while eight-inch handles are lighter and quicker for smaller winches. Choose the length that matches your winch power.
Should I get a locking or non-locking winch handle?
Locking handles stay seated in the socket and cannot pop out under load, which is preferred for high-load or offshore use. Non-locking handles are lighter on cost and quick to remove.
Why size a winch up for runners and mainsheets?
Dynamic sail loads rise sharply in gusts and heavy conditions, so runner and mainsheet winches are best sized to the peak load — not the average — for safety and control.