Antal Winches & Winch Handles
Antal winch handles (8 and 10 in, locking and non-locking) and winch circuit breakers, with the Antal Plain Top and XT self-tailing winch ranges one click away. Click here to read more.
Antal Winches and Winch Handles: Plain Top or Self-Tailing, Which Size, Which Handle
Antal's manual winch range comes in two families: Plain Top winches, where a crew member tails the line, and XT self-tailing winches, where a spring-loaded jaw holds the sheet so one person can grind and tail. This page lists the Antal winch handles and circuit breakers directly, and sends you to the full Plain Top and self-tailing winch collections. Pick the winch type and size first, then match the handle.
Antal Winch Families
- Plain Top winches (full collection): sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 30 and 42. Sizes 5 to 8 are one speed, and sizes 16, 30 and 42 are two speed (a direct gear plus a reduced gear). Drums are black aluminum, chrome (sizes 8, 16, 30, 42) or bronze (sizes 16, 30, 42). Antal groups them in three series: one-speed models for boats up to 6-7 m, two-speed direct and reduced models for boats up to 9-10 m, and two-reduced-speed models for boats up to 12-13 m. Examples: the Size 16 and the Size 30 in bronze.
- XT Cruise self-tailing winches (full collection): sizes 16, 30, 40, 44, 48, 52, 62 and 66, with a black aluminum or chrome drum. Sizes 16 and 30 come in one- and two-speed versions, 40 to 52 are two speed, and 62 and 66 come in two- and three-speed versions. The XT mechanism has a fixed upper disk and a spring-loaded lower disk that adapts to the line. For example, the XT44 takes 8 to 14 mm line and the XT30 takes 6 to 10 mm.
- XT Race self-tailing winches: the same self-tailing system, built lighter for racing, with a CNC base and skirt, low-friction PVD-treated axles, an aluminium stem and PEEK roller bearings. Black aluminum drum, in sizes 16 to 66 — see the Race XT 66 in two speed and the Race XT 62 in three speed.
The number in an Antal model name is its power size, so a larger number means more power for heavier loads.
Plain Top or Self-Tailing: How to Choose
- Self-tailing (XT): choose it when you sail short-handed or solo, because one person can grind and hold the sheet.
- Plain Top: choose it when a dedicated tailer is always on the line, or for the smallest boats: the Plain Top range starts at sizes 5 to 8, while the XT range begins at size 16.
- Speeds: Plain Top sizes 5 to 8 are one speed, sizes 16, 30 and 42 add a reduced gear, and the XT 62 and 66 add a third speed. Our two-speed vs three-speed guide explains the trade-off.
- Size: choose by the loads on the sheet and the size of the boat. The winch size, power ratio and placement guide walks through it, and your line must fall inside the winch's minimum and maximum line diameter on the product page.
Antal Winch Handles in This Collection
- Length: 200 mm (8 in) and 250 mm (10 in) in black aluminium; the chrome handles are always 250 mm (10 in).
- Grip: single, double or ball grip. Antal describes the arm as forged aluminium with lightening holes, and the rubber-covered grip as running on two ball bearings (single and ball grips). Single-grip handles also come with a wood grip, for example the 10 in chrome with a wood grip.
- Locking or non-locking: locking handles use a system that automatically locks the handle in the winch; the non-locking versions (listed as Non-Locking) do not. Speedy Lock versions are listed on the 10 in aluminum handles, for example the double-grip Speedy Lock.
- Where to start: the 8 in single-grip locking handle, the 10 in aluminum ball-grip locking handle or the 10 in chrome ball-grip locking handle. The same handles are grouped in Antal winch handles, and our winch handle guide helps you choose.
Winch Circuit Breakers
For Antal electric winches, a breaker should be mounted to protect the motor against overload. This collection lists two: the 40 A breaker for 700 W to 1000 W 24V motors and the 70 A breaker for 700 W 12V to 1500 W 24V motors. The Antal motor-spares note adds that two watertight switches must be installed for each winch. See Antal electric winch circuit breakers.
Who It's For
Cruisers replacing a worn or lost handle, refits that need a winch matched to the existing size, and racers moving to the lighter XT Race range. For the rest of the deck, see Antal rope clutches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose an Antal Plain Top or a self-tailing winch?
Choose self-tailing (XT) if you often sail short-handed, because the winch holds the sheet while you grind. Choose Plain Top when a crew member tails the line or the boat is small. See the Antal Plain Top vs self-tailing guide.
What size Antal winch do I need?
Antal's Plain Top series are one-speed for boats up to 6-7 m, two-speed direct and reduced for boats up to 9-10 m, and two reduced speeds for boats up to 12-13 m. For self-tailing XT winches, confirm the line diameter range on the product page, such as 8 to 14 mm on the XT44, then check the load. The winch sizing guide covers the calculation.
Do I need a locking or a non-locking winch handle?
A locking handle automatically locks into the winch, so it stays in while you grind; a non-locking handle lifts out freely. Check that the handle type suits the winch on your boat.
8 in or 10 in winch handle?
Antal makes black aluminium handles in 200 mm (8 in) and 250 mm (10 in); the chrome handles are always 250 mm. The longer handle gives more leverage.
Do Antal electric winches need a circuit breaker?
Antal says a breaker should be mounted to protect the motor against overload. The 40 A and 70 A breakers in this collection are listed for specific motor wattages, so match the breaker to your motor.