Reviews on Andersen winches to equip a boat
From design to technology to the quality of the material used as well as the ergonomics, Andersen brand winches seem to reflect perfection. Most sailors attest to the exceptional character of these devices and their efficiency in controlling the sails. However, like any mechanism, Andersen winches are not without a few small flaws. In this article, you will first get to know the Andersen brand better. Next, we explain the strengths of Andersen winches as well as the drawbacks that penalize them a little. Read to the end to discover our opinion on Andersen winches.
Andersen - the specialist for high-end winches
Andersen is a branch of the Ronstan Group, a Danish sailing equipment giant. Meeting the functional and aesthetic requirements of sailboats is the brand's ultimate goal. And it is quite visible on the products it develops. Andersen concentrated only on the design of the winches in order to offer boat professionals the best winches on the market. The opinions on Andersen winches are generally very positive.
A wide range of boats
The firm has been in business for over 60 years and has been able to refine both the technology of its devices and their reliability. In addition, it has offered over the years a variety of winch models that have been loaded onto thousands of sailboats around the world. It manufactures winches for all types of boats: from simple dayboats to superyachts. Note that almost all Andersen winches are two speeds except model 82ST (3 speed) and models 12ST and 18ST (1 speed).
See the Andersen winches at a speed.
Excellence as a watchword
Andersen believes that the products it offers must be able to combine winch power, efficiency, effectiveness, durability and adaptability in any situation. In 1992, she also received the Industrial Design Award offered by the Danish Design Center.
The main advantages of Andersen winches
The choice of stainless steel for the finish
Among the criteria that make Andersen winches stand out is the polished stainless steel finish. This choice made by the brand weighs slightly on the weight but favors an aesthetic that is not found in the competition. Other manufacturers have instead chosen chrome or aluminum. These two materials certainly have the advantage of being lighter and cheaper. But when it comes to durability, stainless steel is by far the most reliable material. It is less sensitive to scratches and corrosion, and keeps its beautiful appearance even after several years of use.
Power Rib technology - a plus
Andersen winches are in fact designed on the basis of Power Rib, a technology that provides secure grip on sheets and halyards. Thanks to this technology, the drums of the Andersen winches are soft ; which allows the ropes to slide easily up and down and vice versa, without being too susceptible to wear. The winch itself looks great and is less abrasive despite all the friction that occurs during maneuvering. For the finish, you have the choice between titanium, bronze and black.
Highly appreciated practical use
In addition, Andersen winches are all self-tailing. This criterion ensures that the string does not overfill the headstock during movements. Among other strengths which make the opinions on Andersen winches positive, there is their great simplicity. They are designed so that their use, their dismantling and their maintenance are not complicated. Even for their electric range!
See Andersen two-speed winches.
See the Andersen electric winches:
Some disadvantages of Andersen winches
Even if we often only reap praise for the Andersen winch reviews, the fact remains that some sailors have noticed some downsides.
The manufacturing process of the drums of Andersen winches means that the winches are not completely round. In light winds this does not seem to cause any problem. However, in strong winds, we sometimes see the blocking of the drum in the gears. This happens especially when it comes to (very) large boats.
Also, the loosening of the line can sometimes be done in a jerky way when the latter is too loaded. This unpredictable jump in the line can sometimes be the cause of a few accidents. Nevertheless, this kind of problem is extremely rare.
Finally, the prices of Andersen winches are rather expensive. They are also part of most expensive winches on the market. But at this price, you have the Rolls Royce of winches. If your budget does not allow you to buy new Andersen winches, we advise you to look for used winches of the brand. Ebay, Amazon ou CDiscount occasionally offer good deals. This equipment is built to last and often looks like new after a good cleaning.
Our opinion on the Andersen winch brand
Strong points :
- Good grip
- Good line hold
- Very aesthetic
- quick and easy to warp and weave
- Easy maintenance
- Durable
Disadvantages:
- Drum not round enough
- Unpredictable line jump when overloaded
- High price
Despite the (extremely) rare problems that one might encounter when using Andersen winches, they remain in our opinion the best choice on the market. If you are looking for a high-end winch that is efficient, durable, easy to maintain, sophisticated and has a good appearance, then you should look at the Andersen brand. If your budget does not allow it, then a good alternative is to turn to Lewmar winches ou Harken.
To find out more about boat winches:
How to choose the best winch for your sailboat?
Choosing a Lewmar or Harken winch for your boat?
